We have considered a biblical overview and a theological overview and we have seen that the Kingdom of Christ was anticipated in eternity past and taught from the beginning of time. In Matthew 28:18-20 the Lord Jesus brings all of this into focus in the Great Commission. We see there what this means for Christians going out into all the world with the kingdom message? A right understanding of Christ’s authority will give confidence in the message to be proclaimed, encouragement in the method of preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and assurance of its ultimate success. Inherent in Christ’s reward is the universal acknowledgement of His lordship. While we will surely encounter much rejection and rebellion in presenting the gospel to the world, the Father’s reward to His Son includes the recognition from every creature of Christ’s sovereign authority. God has appointed a day when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9–11).
As the One who holds the keys to the kingdom (Revelation 3:7), our mediator will depose all His and our enemies and will dispense all His purchased blessings to the people of His kingdom. As Christians we can therefore rest assured that Christ has both the ability and the authority to rule His kingdom.
This article first appeared in the LTBS Quarterly, December 2013, under the title; Jesus: A Mediator With Authority.
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