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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
The decision to make Jesus Lord of Lord and King of Kings was made in a time and place that was totally outside the realm of human influences. The actual elevation and coronation of the Lamb of God to His current position of Authority and Dominion was also completed in a time and place that was outside the realm of human influences. Furthermore, the continuing Dominion and Power wielded by our King is achieved completely outside the realm of human influences. These things are said to establish this one point: The Kingdom of the Lamb was likened to earthly kingdoms for our sakes, namely so that we could grasp some of Kingdom concepts; however, the Lamb reigns and rules in a realm that is completely separate from this pale of human experiences! Since this is true, consider the three points that follow.
We do not define how the Lord reigns; this is defined by His character and by His will! God is not man and for that we ought all to be thankful. Mercy and longsuffering characterize the Lord and also His reign. While we might be quick to pull the trigger and conclude that it is hopeless, the Lord is quite the contrary; He reigns with a view toward saving all that are lost – NO EXCEPTIONS. Hence, where we might want to come down hard on all those sinners out there, He recognizes that all have sinned and come short of His glory. Since He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, He reigns with tender mercies and continues to cause the sun to shine on the just and the unjust and to make His rain to fall on both good and evil. He determines the character of His reign and not man!
We do not define where the Lord reigns. While we might favor a particular place for His reign, He determined long ago that His reign would not be geographically centered, but heart centered. His Kingdom is not limited to any specific location nor is the service of His subjects. Our Lord currently resides in Heaven, sitting and reigning on David’s throne. His subjects are not required to go to Mecca or Jerusalem, or any other "holy" place in order to receive His blessings or to render praise to their King. He determines where He will reign and not man!
We do not define the duration of the Lord’s reign. By Divine degree, the Lord’s reign is unlike the reign of any earthly monarch. All earthly kings are limited by time and other circumstances; not so with God; His reign is forever and ever. Although there is one passage which speaks of a "thousand year reign," this passage is figurative in meaning and has nothing to do with the Lord’s reign in the hearts of men. Our King did not ascend to the throne to be deposed, diminished, or removed from His position of Majesty and Power; rather, He ascended into the heavenlies there to reign forever and ever! He determines how long He will reign and not man!
When we think of Jesus, Lord of Lord and King of Kings, we simply must stop casting Him in the mold of earthly systems, things, and people; He is not man! His Majesty and Power abides forever and ever, worlds without end!
Questions:
1. When was it decided that Jesus would be made Lord of Lords and King of Kings?
2. Who determines the character of the Lord’s reign? What influence does man have on that aspect of the kingdom?
3. Why did God not choose a particular place for His kingdom to exist? What are the advantages of having the territory of the kingdom limited only by the hearts of men?
4. If the Lord’s reign is truly forever and ever, why does that make a "thousand year reign" impossible?
Focus Text: Jude 1.25
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