Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5)The book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible. Because of its strongly symbolic nature, it can be difficult to interpret. Yet, it does present a clear view of the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. The first controversial statement it presents is that of Christ being the King with the highest authority. It echos Jesus' words after he rose from the dead:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18)
Notice that Jesus' authority is universal, extending not only to the material order, but to heaven itself: "Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (1 Peter 3:22). He is called the ruler of God's creation (Revelation 3:14). He sits at the right hand of the Almighty, serving His Father who annointed Him to be King of kings and Lord of lords.
Many may be surprised to read this. But the Bible presents Christ not only as a religious leader but a political ruler. He has been installed as the as the Supreme King by God himself. As such, all creation is obligated to submit to his rule. Whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, American, European, African, Asian, Arab, conversative, liberal, religious, agnostic, athiest, poor, rich, young, old, white, black, brown, yellow or red: all from every age are to bow before the Anointed One:
God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:9-11)
I will be exploring this theme and others from the book of Revelations in upcoming posts.
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