THE CURRENT REIGN OF JESUS PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH When John received the Revelation, he was told to write it down and send it to "the seven churches which are in Asia." The message was not intended for them alone, anymore than Romans was only for the church in Rome, or Philippians for the church in Philippi alone. The Apostle was told to tell the churches the message was "from Jesus Christ, WHO IS the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and THE PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and -- Tomorrow:
(1 Corinthians 15:25)
Jesus is presently the "ONLY Potentate" or Sovereign. He has no competitors! All other rulers are subordinate to Him, whether they acknowledge it or not. He can remove them at will, without so much as a spark of resistance. Were they given the opportunity, a long line of earthly rulers could step forward, confirming "the heavens do rule" (Dan 4:26). Pharaoh was deposed in a single day (Psa 136:15). Sihon and Og were suddenly slain (Psa 135:11). Sennacherib was overthrown in a single night (2 Kgs 19:25-26). Nebuchadnezzar was driven from his throne in one hour (Dan 4:33). God called for heathen Cyrus, and employed him to build a house for the Lord in Jerusalem (2 Chron 36:23; Ezra 1:2). Doubt it not, the "kings of the earth" are pawns in the hands of the Sovereign of the heavens.
After Jesus was enthroned, king Herod, opponent of the church, was deposed, being slain by an angel immediately, and was eaten of worms (Acts 12:23). In the end, "the kings of the earth" will attempt to hide from the revealed Christ, calling for rocks and mountains to fall upon them (Rev 6:15-16). The great "wicked one," who assumes the prerogatives of God, and is so feared by those with no understanding, will suddenly be consumed "with the spirit of His mouth, and [Jesus] shall destroy [him] with the brightness of His coming" (2 Thess 2:8).
Doubt it not. Jesus is the King of kings, raising and removing them at will. When they have served His purpose, He deposes them, casting them from their thrones. He does not appear to some theologians to presently occupy this position, but that is only because they are blind. God will soon "show" Jesus in this capacity to an assembled universe. He will show the Son in a new capacity, but in the very one He has occupied since the moment He sat down at God's right hand.
Jesus will not begin to be Sovereign when He is revealed, as some suppose. Today, there is no king or lord, despite their apparent authority, that is not under Christ. He is their King, whether they know it or not. He can put them down or raise them up at will. In Him the word of the Lord is being fulfilled, "He puts down one, And exalts another" (Psa 75:7, NKJV). After an extensive seven-year theological training in the fields, Nebuchadnezzar knew, "All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (Dan 4:36, NKJV).
dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev 1:5-6).
The arresting thing about this affirmation is its relation to our salvation. Christ's sovereignty followed His resurrection, and is immediately associated with us being washed from our sins and constituted kings and priests unto God.
Although Jesus will "put down all rule and all authority and power," that does not mean He is not presently ruler over them all. Until they are "put down," we are apprised, "He must REIGN, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (1 Cor 15:24-26). The fact that they are not all apparently "put down" is owing to the present emphasis of Jesus. He is not reigning to put down kings and principalities. He has already "spoiled" the spiritual powers that are over the earth's kings (Col 2:15). Jesus is reigning to "bring many sons to glory" (Heb 2:10). His Kingship is related to their salvation. For this reason, He is called the "Captain of their salvation" (Heb 2:10b). When all of the children have been safely garnered, our Lord will instantly end the reign of all kings of the earth, thereby publicly confirming they have been subject to them all along. Let no soul be reluctant to embrace these affirmations!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to so see Jesus as to never again be afraid of what men shall do unto me -- even if they are "the kings of the earth."