THE CURRENT REIGN OF JESUS THE LIVING LORD OF THE LIVING. The "living" are those who remain in the body in the world (Heb 13:3; 1 Pet 5:9). They have not yet met the appointment of death (Heb 9:27). "The living" are comprised of both the saved and the lost, the righteous and the unrighteous, the good and the evil. Whether they know it or not, Jesus is Lord over them all. He can bring the righteous home to glory, feeding and leading them. He can subdue the wicked, using them for His own purposes, and even lift them out of the state of condemnation if they call upon Him. He is Lord of the living! THE DEAD LORD OF THE DEAD. Although it is true that those who are out of Christ are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1-2), this is not the "dead" that are of reference in this text. There is a domain that is occupied by the dead -- a realm, so to speak, of the dead. That realm is also occupied by the righteous and the unrighteous, although they are NOT mingled there as they were upon the earth. There are godly souls described as being in "Abraham's bosom" (Lk 16:22), "with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8), in "paradise" (Lk 23:43) and "under the altar" (Rev 6:9). The ungodly are described as being "in torments" (Lk 16:23), and their location as a "place of torment" (Lk 16:28). The realm in which the dead are held is called "Hades," with a vast gulf between the godly and the ungodly that cannot be negotiated (Lk 16:26). Jesus Christ is Lord of this realm. -- Tomorrow:
(1 Corinthians 15:25)
Notice, He died, arose, and revived to affect a reign over the dead and the living. The words "rose" and "revived" may appear to be a redundancy, or meaningless repetition. Some of the translations read, "died and lived again" (NASB,NRSV) or "died and returned to life" (NIV). The use of all three (died, rose, and revived," or lived again) refers to three distinct accomplishments. In His death, He was delivered up for our offenses." His resurrection was in order to our justification. "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom 4:25). His present ministry, following His enthronement at the right hand of God, is the "life" by which we are saved. As it is written, "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" (Rom 5:10).
A compelling point is made of the necessity of Christ's death, resurrection, and enthronement in the eighth chapter of Romans. "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom 8:34). Men cannot be saved independently of these three things -- Christ's death, His resurrection, and His intercession.
The text now before us -- "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living" (Rom 14:9) -- affirms this is also a necessity for Him to be "Lord both of the living and the dead." At this point it is essential to understand the impact of Jesus humbling Himself to become a Servant (Phil 2:5-8). Certain prerogatives of Deity were laid aside in order for Him to enter into the arena of flesh and blood. In order for Him to be "tempted in all points like as we are" (Heb 4:15), our blessed Lord gave up more than any person is capable of discerning. In order to bear the sins of the world in His body on the tree (1 Pet 2:24), He identified Himself with the human race in a staggering way. In taking away their sins, He put Himself in a position where God Himself had to exalt Him, something He never experienced prior to His incarnation.
The point of this text is that Jesus, as the Man, has earned the right to be the Lord of the living and the dead. It is not only right, it is suitable and becoming that He be the Lord over the race for whom He suffered and died. It will bring unspeakable advantage to the living and the dead to have a Lord that has passed through the fire of temptation, and removed the sin of the world.
Concerning the saints, no temptation comes to them without the Lord of the living providing a "way of escape," that they may be able to bear it (1 Cor 10:13). What they require to make it safely from earth to glory is generously supplied to them by "the Lord of the living." Among the multitude of mercies provided to them, the following are included. Mercy and peace (2 John 3), grace (Rom 1:7), wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30), faith (Eph 6:23), and teaching (Eph 4:20-21). He is truly "the Lord of the living."
LORD OVER THE GRAVE. Being Lord over the living and the dead also involves authority over the grave, the residence of the bodies of those who have died. Not one body goes into the grave without the approval of our Lord. What is more, all bodies will be raised from the grave by the word of Jesus (John 5:28-29). Here, the word "grave" also includes "the sea," which has received countless dead.
HE HAS THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HELL. In confirmation of Christ being Lord over "the dead," He declares, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death" (Rev 1:18, NKJV). Being Lord over this realm of the dead, Jesus will effect the resurrection of the dead, bringing all bodies from the grave, and all spirits from Hades. Scripture says it this way, "The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death" (Rev 20:13-14). Following the resurrection, there will be no further need for the temporary abodes of the grave and Hades. Thus, they will be cast into the lake of fire with the devil, his angels, the false prophets, and those who have followed them (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10,15).
Those who put their trust in Christ Jesus, have placed themselves at the disposal of Him who is "the Lord of the living and the dead." They could not possibly be in better hands!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a Savior who has dominion in every realm I will occupy, as well as over all my brethren and enemies.