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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24.30-31). Although the word authority dies not appear in the quoted passage, it is obvious that the Son of Man is a figure of great authority and power. Our focus today will be to explore that authority and its limits, if any.
The Authority of Jesus
A few introductory remarks are necessary before proceeding. First, it is not necessary to understand the precise meaning or times of the quotation (above) in order to rightly conclude that Jesus is a person/being vested with tremendous authority. Secondly, it is possible to know what this passage is NOT about even if we never discover its specific application. We can know that this text is NOT about anything that is yet future, but that the events predicted here have long since been fulfilled. We can know this because Jesus was a true prophet of God and He said that the very generation to whom He spoke these words would not pass away before these things came to pass (see Matthew 24.34). Jesus spoke these words in about AD 30 (plus or minus a year or so) so reason would demand that they occurred before the end of the first century (AD 100). They are NOT about the end of the world!
Jesus did not talk about “A” sign of the Son of Man; He talked about THE sign of the Son of Man. There were many signs which Jesus performed, but there would be a singular sign which signaled that He occupied the place of honor and authority which was reserved for Him. Further, this sign would appear “in heaven.” The sign (or that which the sign signified) would be enough to cause all the tribes of the earth to mourn (lament). Further at that time, Jesus would send His angels (messengers) to gather His elect from the four winds (everywhere).
The authority to execute such a command was authority unequalled in human realms; no mere man could order such events, but the Son of Man could. No mere man could cause men and women of every tribe and tongue to come to tears or sorrow, but the Son of Man could. No mere man could commission the messengers (angels) to gather His elect; only those Divinely commissioned could act on His behalf thus implying the tremendous authority that the Son of Man wielded. No mere man could cause his wishes to be carried out throughout all inhabited areas of heaven and earth, but the Son of Man could!
Jesus was of low estate when He was here on earth, but He did not remain in that self-abased position. He ascended into heaven, He led captivity captive, He sat down on the right hand of the Father even as he had been destined to do of old, He was given a name that was above every name, a name at which every knee should bow. He accepted His rightful position as King of the Eternal Kingdom which had been in God’s purpose even before the world began. He now reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Just a few weeks after Jesus made His predictions of Matthew 24.30,31, Peter (a messenger of Jesus) said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2.36). Herein is an affirmation of the great authority of Jesus Christ, authority not equaled or excelled by any man. If we would honor that authority, we must submit to His word delivered by His messengers. Have you submitted? (read Acts 2.38 before answering)
Questions:
1. How do we know that the events predicted in Matthew 24.30-31 are not yet future events?
2. When the Father gave Jesus a “name” that is above every name, what did He give Him?
3. When we submit to His name by bowing in His presence, what is implied about obedience?
4. Would it be possible to bow the knee in His presence while refusing to truly honor His name? If yes, how might one be guilty of such an act?
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