Disciples Global Network

The Book of Revelation applies messianic promises of the Old Testament to the present reign and exalted status of Jesus Christ . Jesus has governed the Cosmos since his death and resurrection. He is seated at the right hand of God, where he rules as the prince of the kings of the earth. “ The woman produced a son who is the shepherd of the nations… And her child was caught up to God and his throne .”

Jesus is the Son of David and heir to the Messianic Throne, the beloved Son of God, and the Servant of the Lord . The Gospel of Matthew declares that Jesus is the Son of David, and in his ministry and sacrificial death, this same Jesus demonstrated exactly what it means to be the Messiah of Israel and the king of the nations, for he was also the Servant of the Lord who suffers for his people.

The reign of Jesus Christ from the Messianic Throne began following his Death, Resurrection, and Exaltation . The New Testament is clear. God made Jesus of Nazareth Lord and Messiah, and there is no other. His reign began when God exalted Christ following his resurrection. “ God has made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! ” – (Acts 2:36).

Jesus triumphed on the Cross and began implementing his kingdom following his resurrection. He is not waiting for any future event to begin his messianic reign . Did Jesus conquer his enemies on Calvary as Scripture declares or not? Most of us would respond to this question in the affirmative. “Yes! Of course, he did!” Yet popular preaching often denies this by teaching that his reign will not start until his future return, and thus, denying his past victory on the Cross, intentionally or not.

Jesus triumphed over Satan and Sin through his Death and Resurrection, therefore, he now reigns from the Messianic Throne . Jesus triumphed over his enemies on the Cross and began his reign as the promised Messianic King following his Death and Resurrection. He is not waiting for some future event before he receives his sovereignty over the nations. Unlike the political powers of this age, he conquered through his sacrificial death rather than tyranny, lies, political manipulation, or violence.  It is the Crucified One who now reigns on Mount Zion!

Jesus is the King from the House of David and the Servant of the Lord who endures death to save his people . Jesus is identified in the Gospel of Matthew as the Son of David and the Servant of the Lord. In his ministry and death, Christ demonstrates what it means to be the Messiah of Israel, and he does so by accepting the role of the suffering Servant of the Lord.

Jesus is the promised King from the Line of David who guides the Nations of the Earth to the Holy City, New Jerusalem – Revelation 12:5. The “ Son ” pictured in the twelfth chapter of the Book of Revelation is the Messianic figure of the Second Psalm who is destined to “ Shepherd the Nations .” Following his Enthronement, Heaven declared, “ Now is come the Kingdom of God and the authority of His Messiah .” His reign commenced following his “ Faithful Testimony ” given in his Death, and his victory through his Resurrection. He is also, therefore, the “ Firstborn of the Dead .”

Following his Resurrection, Jesus began his reign from the Messianic Throne as prophesied by David  – Psalm 2:6-9. Only Jesus is the Messiah and King of Israel, only he is God’s Anointed.  There will never be another , and all competing claimants to this designation are impostors and liars. This same Jesus reigns over the Earth today. His Kingdom is a present reality, and his reign will be consummated when he returns – (1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Revelation 1:4-6).

Jesus, the Faithful Witness, now reigns supreme over the Kings of the Earth, and he is shepherding the nations to the Holy City of New Jerusalem . Jesus is called the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth ” in the Prologue of  Revelation . This declaration is made in the  present tense  since his sovereignty is based on his Death and Resurrection. He does not rule by hereditary right, economic power, or military might, but because of his redeeming death. The slain “ Lamb ” is the one who sits on the Throne, and his authority extends even over “ Death and Hades .”

The  Book of Revelation  assures the beleaguered congregations of Asia that Jesus reigns and has events firmly in hand despite appearances and hostility. His Sovereignty is based on his past Death and Resurrection, and therefore absolute, extending even over “ Death and Hades .” His Resurrection from the dead marked the start of his reign from the Divine Throne.

Jesus is the Lamb and the true Messiah of Israel. He was sent by God to redeem men from every nation by his sacrificial death . Jesus is the Faithful Witness and the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth, and these designations are inextricably linked. The first establishes how he obtained the second, his sovereignty. Through his death, Jesus redeemed his people, and because of his “ obedience unto death ,” God exalted Christ and made him Lord over all things:

Revelation’s first vision presents Jesus as the Son of Man, the high priest who watches over his people – Revelation 1:9-20. Jesus is the faithful high priest who oversees the churches of Asia (Revelation 1:10-3:22), and he is the Son of Man who will return in great glory to gather and vindicate his saints. In chapters 2 and 3, he sends each of the seven congregations a letter of encouragement, correction, and promises for faithful Christians.