WHO WILL WE RULE IN GLORY?
One of the eschatological
teachings of Scripture is that the redeemed in Christ, will rule with Jesus as
Kings and Priests. (Daniel 7:27; Matthew 25:20-21; Luke 22:30; 1Corinthians
6:1-3; 2Timothy 2:12; Revelation 2:26; 5:10; 20:4).
However, this honor
has two aspects and times according to the Bible. A temporal and a permanent
one.
1 - TEMPORAL
REIGN AND PRIESTHOOD
The Bible is
clear in teaching that in our permanent condition of Kings and Priests of God
in Jesus, we will rule the nations and judge them together with the angels for
a period of time. This is the temporal kingdom and ministry of the saints.
WHEN AND
HOW WILL THIS HAPPEN?
The Scripture
teaches that there are two resurrections. The first resurrection of the saints
in Christ, that is composed of all redeemed believers, from the beginning of
humanity to the last man on Earth, together with those who will be alive by the
time of the second coming of our Lord Jesus, after Armageddon (1Corinthians
15:21-52; 1Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 20:6). The second resurrection is
only for the damned who have died, from the beginning of humanity until the Day
of Judgement.
(Revelation 20:5,13-15).
This first group
contains all the ones who will be and are saved. Paul says we will be transformed
into a glorious condition and remain such forever, so much the faithful resurrected
as the faithful who will be alive at the time
(1Corinthians
15:52-54).
These will reign
with Christ for a thousand years over all the earthly inhabitants who did not
follow the beast into Armageddon, and will rule over them as Kings and Priests
in the Name of Jesus (Revelation 20: 4-6).
As Kings because
we will literally rule with authority under Lord Jesus, sections of the planet
over the natural inhabitants of Earth, according to our personal merit
(Luke 19:17-19).
As Priests,
because we will be the administrators on behalf of our Lord of all his graces
and authority, between men and Lord Jesus.
However, all this
will end after ‘a thousand years’, whether this time is literal or symbolic. It
will end after the final battle of Gog and Magog, and the final defeat of Satan.
(Revelation
20:7-10).
2 – ETERNAL
REIGN AND PRIESTHOOD
On the other hand,
this kingly priesthood is permanent in condition, not in function.
Redeemed people
are constituted as Kings and Priests, by the Holy Spirit, through the sacrifice
of Lord Jesus, to the glory and service of God the Father, and remain so for
eternity (Daniel 7:27; 1Peter 2:9).
That is an
eternal condition that relates to the giving of the Unfading Crowns of Glory
(2Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1Peter 5:4). So, whether we have a people to rule or
not, we will have the status of Kings for eternity, before the Holy Trinity,
whom we serve, and before the Angels and the whole of creation.
However, as we
know God is eternally creating, we will also rule over the rest of the
continuing creation as God pleases, over all the worlds and the universes forever.
Omar Flores.
Comments
Post a Comment