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Focus Text: Jude 1.25

The third and fourth major points of this miniseries taken from Jude’s Doxology are Dominion and Power, respectively. Jude writes, "To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1.25). As has been stated earlier, it is not a question of whether or not we grant Dominion and Power to God; He possesses the same by the mere fact that He is God; God has Dominion and Power by definition! Since there is considerable overlap in the definitions of the two words, Dominion and Power, we will treat them as synonyms though the reader is challenged to search out the shades of difference (if such be desired) through diligent study.

In beginning this study, perhaps a passage from the book of Revelation would be fitting. Consider John’s words: "Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever." (Revelation 5.11-14). Jude’s Doxology is written from an earthly perspective showing God’s great power and dominion, but John’s is written from a different and all encompassing perspective. In any way one considers God’s dominion and power, there is no equal: He is omnipotent! All Power belongs to Him!

Notice in John’s vision, the Lamb who was slain shares the same appellations as were given to "Him who sits on the throne." Both are worthy of such a place of honor and respect; to this fact the four living creatures say, "Amen!" and the twenty-four elders fall down in worship! This marvelous vision is not by happenstance; the events depicted by the vision are real and they were brought to pass by the direct work and superintendence of God. The Lamb is not minus any power in this passage; He possesses all power just as He had said of Himself. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen." (Matthew 28.18-20).

We close today’s message with this thought but with the intention of taking it up again at this exact point. Jesus is not a powerless ruler robbed of His rightful place on earth or in heaven; He possess all power! Those who claim that Jesus was robbed of His right to reign because He was rejected by the Hebrew nation fly in the face of Holy Scripture. Millennium or no millennium, Jesus now reigns with the Father in the full capacity of Almighty God!

Questions:

1. What is the difference in Jude’s perspective and John’s perspective in their Doxologies?

2. What did the four living creatures sanction when they said, "Amen."?

3. What did the twenty-four elders sanction when they fell down before the throne in worship?

4. How much authority [power/dominion] did Jesus claim to have following His resurrection?

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Longing For God