We
look forward to the day when Jesus rules during the one thousand years after
the tribulation. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and that
of his government there would be no end. There is a natural order to this
process. As we studied in Revelation, there is a natural process to every event.
These events are not allegorical, and they do not apply to today other than the
first three chapters of Revelation. There are, however, veiled references and
names which are easily understood in light of all the information in
Revelation. Every event is literal and applies to an orderly timeline of
events. We know exactly what events happen first, second, third, and so on
because John told us. While John was looking at the events in timeline fashion
he, at times, had to give the back stories, or the stories that are also taking
place alongside his main story, but so as not to confuse the reader. Jesus, who
gave John the revelation of His Apocalypse, had John explain some of the
details of the tribulation in separate sections. Similar to reading a
novel, we sometimes learn about the main
character as he or she is, then read about their past, then we find out what
other supporting characters were doing at the time our main character was doing
something else. Once we finish the
story, we have a full picture of our main character and what the author was
trying to promote. Therefore Jesus is a Prince first, and later he will be
King.
There
is a principle in the Bible called speaking what hasn’t happened yet as if it
is now. That comes from Romans 4:17. What we have to notice is that what God calls
or says will happen in the future is perfectly acceptable for us to say as
well. This negates trying to speak into being by human will. This verse does
not say Abraham said he wanted to be the father of many nations and God agreed
with him. We can say what God has declared, not what we wish for and hope God
will “give” us.
Rom
4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him
whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things
which be not as though they were.KJV
Rom
4:17 As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was
appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life
to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and
promised] as if they [already] existed. [Gen 17:5.] AMP
Abraham
believed what God said, and God spoke it into being. When prophets speak, they
speak what God tells them, they should not be speaking what they surmise, or
what they think or want. Today we suffer from many who call themselves
prophets, but have never spoke for God. Isaiah is a good example of one who’s
prophesies have come to pass. God doesn’t mind speaking into existence the
future plans of the world as he had John write in Revelation or Isaiah write
regarding the coming Messiah. Therefore as Isaiah prophesied, there would be a
day when the Messiah would come as a baby, then he’d be called a son and given
to the world, and the son would sit upon the throne of David.
Isa
9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase
of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David,
and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with
justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will
perform this.KJV
Furthermore,
Isaiah tells us again about Jesus’ millennial reign. Jesus had to come from the
line of Jesse in order to establish the throne of David. God spoke into
existence what has not yet happened, and we can speak that as well.
Isa
11:1-10 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch
shall grow out of his roots:2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the
spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;3 And shall make him of quick
understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight
of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:4 But with
righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of
the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the
breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.5 And righteousness shall be the
girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.6 The wolf also
shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the
calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead
them.7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down
together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.8 And the sucking child
shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on
the cockatrice' den.9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain:
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover
the sea.10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand
for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall
be glorious.KJV
At
that time the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, just
like water covers the sea, the knowledge of Jesus reigning as King will be
known. That is the kingdom we look forward to. Today however, Jesus is the
first one who rose from the dead and stayed alive; he is called the Prince of
the kings of the earth. What that means is he is not King yet. We know when his
coronation ceremony takes place and we also know that that hasn’t happened yet.
Let’s explore.
Rev
1:5-8 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first
begotten of the dead, and the prince [758]of the kings of the earth. Unto him
that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6 And hath made us
kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for
ever and ever. Amen.7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see
him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail
because of him. Even so, Amen.8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the
Almighty.KJV
Jesus
is Prince of the kings of the earth. Too bad the kings of the earth don’t know
that Jesus is “over” them in power. Two words to look at meaning “prince” or “ruler”
are not only used for Jesus but for others as well.
NT:757
archo (ar'-kho); a primary verb; to be first (in political rank or power):KJV -
reign (rule) over.
NT:758 archon (ar'-khone); present participle of
NT:757; a first (in rank or power): KJV - chief (ruler), magistrate, prince,
ruler.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
John
12:27-33 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from
this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.28 Father, glorify thy
name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it,
and will glorify it again.29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it,
said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.30 Jesus answered
and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.31 Now is the
judgment of this world: now shall the prince [758]of this world be cast out.32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.33 This he
said, signifying what death he should die.KJV
Jesus
uses this word for prince in regards to
the devil. Jesus was saying “Father, glorify your name” and the Father spoke
back so that all the people could hear it. Jesus was explaining that because of
what he was going to do, the prince of this world, the devil, would be cast out;
which is why Jesus is now the Prince of the kings of this world. Jesus spoke
the future to his disciples. He then deposed satan.
John
14:28-31 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you.
If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my
Father is greater than I.29 And now I have told you before it come to pass,
that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.30 Hereafter I will not talk
much with you: for the prince [758]of this world cometh, and hath nothing in
me.31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father
gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.KJV
Jesus
said the prince of this world has no claim or power over him because he was
sinless. Again this is how Jesus became the Prince of the kings of the world. Jesus
would like the world to know that he loves the Father. That is why he did the
Father’s will.
John
16:7-14 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I
depart, I will send him unto you.8 And when he is come, he will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9 Of sin, because they
believe not on me;10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me
no more;11 Of judgment, because the prince [758]of this world is judged.12 I
have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.13 Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come.14 He shall glorify me: for he shall
receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. KJV
When
the Holy Spirit comes, the prince of this world, the devil, is judged. Every time someone receives the Holy Spirit,
it is another “judgment” against the devil who ensnared people at his will.
1
Cor 2:6-8 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the
wisdom of this world, nor of the princes [758] of this world, that come to
nought:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,
which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8 Which none of the princes
of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the
Lord of glory.KJV
The
princes of this world are entirely useless (come to naught). Why are they useless? Because they did not
know that if they crucified Jesus he would rise from the dead and become the
Prince of the kings of the world. Otherwise they would not have killed him.
Eph
2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince [758]of the power of the air, the spirit that now
worketh in the children of disobedience:3 Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of
the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as
others. KJV
We
walked according to the prince of the power of the air, the devil, before we
were saved. There are people who continue to walk under the devil’s rulership.
Paul also tells us of Jesus being from the root of Jesse, and that he will rule
over the Gentiles.
Rom
15:8-12 For I tell you that Christ (the Messiah) became a servant and a
minister to the circumcised (the Jews) in order to show God's truthfulness and
honesty by confirming (verifying) the promises [given] to our fathers, 9 And
[also in order] that the Gentiles (nations) might glorify God for His mercy
[not covenanted] to them. As it is written, Therefore I will praise You among
the Gentiles and sing praises to Your name. [Ps 18:49.] 10 Again it is said,
Rejoice (exult), O Gentiles, along with His [own] people; [Deut 32:43.] 11 And
again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise Him!
[Ps 117:1.] 12 And further Isaiah says, There shall be a Sprout from the Root
of Jesse, He Who rises to rule over [757] the Gentiles; in Him shall the
Gentiles hope. [Isa 11:1,10; Rev 5:5; 22:16.] AMP
As
we have looked at what Jesus accomplished in the first part of his plan,
setting the dead free from the devil’s control and giving the people of earth
the choice to be under Jesus’ citizenship or the devil’s power, the next part
of the redemption of mankind will take place when the church is gathered as
Revelation 5 shows us, and then the seals and trumpets, the wrath of the Lamb
take place. We know that once the dead in Christ rise and the earthlings that
are alive who believe in Jesus as Lord will join them in the air, the two
witnesses will come to earth. As we previously studied, the only two people who
left earth with their bodies will be the ones to come back, and they will be
killed on earth by Gog the locust king/Apollyon/Abaddon. Once the two witnesses
rise from the dead the third day and all the people of earth see it, they are
then taken up to heaven. The next event is the seventh trumpet. That is when the kingdom is proclaimed. Here
are some past studies.
Rev
11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,
saying, The kingdoms [932]of this world are become the kingdoms [932] of our
Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.KJV
But
kingdoms aren’t taken without a fight.
John then explains at this point a bit of the back story; remember he
was not allowed to write what the seven thunders said. Yet we can understand
that this is the time that satan is thrown out of heaven. Some may believe that
satan has already been thrown out of heaven, but that cannot be. First of all,
satan has been accusing us before the Father day and night since the beginning
when Adam sinned (what a pest). Nothing has changed yet. An announcement is
made when satan is cast out, and the heavens rejoice. Compare Rev 11:15 with
Rev 12:10. That hasn’t happened yet.
Also the earth is under one of the woe’s at this time and that hasn’t
happened yet either. Then the dragon
goes to make war with the Jews who keep the commandments of God and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ. That hasn’t happened yet either. Because I am still
on earth, and because you who have confessed Jesus as Lord are still on earth,
we know this has not happened because the Revelation 5 mystery of the redeemed makes
that clear. The saints are in heaven, before the first seal is opened, meaning
the dead in Christ rose and those alive on earth, who confess Jesus as Lord,
were already caught up together with them.
Jesus
then gives out rewards to the saints and prophets (he hasn’t done that yet
either). While this coronation ceremony is going on, the end of the first half
of the tribulation is over and the second half begins the “wrath of God”. Jesus
then comes to Mount Zion to gather the 144,000. The temple opens and seven
angels come out with the last seven bowl judgments. This is a short synopsis of
what we have already studied from the book of Revelation. Here are a few more links.
The
word we should look at next is the word for king and kingdom.
NT:932 basileia (bas-il-i'-ah); from NT:935;
properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally
or figuratively):KJV - kingdom, reign
NT:935 basileus (bas-il-yooce'); probably
from NT:939 (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign
(abstractly, relatively, or figuratively):(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Rev
12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and
strength, and the kingdom [932] of our God, and the power of his Christ: for
the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day
and night.KJV
Now
is come 1) salvation; 2) strength; 3) the kingdom of our God and His Christ.
Why? Because satan is cast down. The kingdoms of this world have become the
kingdoms of our Lord and Christ; these things happen when the seven thunders
speak and there is a war where Michael and his angels cast down satan and his
angels. Right now satan has access to heaven, he won’t after this. Then the
earth will be in more chaos because of satan’s wrath. Paul tells us who will
not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ.
Eph
5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous
man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom [932] of Christ
and of God.KJV
Paul
tells us that we were delivered into the kingdom of the one who, as Isaiah told
us, is called the Son.
Col
1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated
us into the kingdom [932] of his dear Son:14 In whom we have redemption through
his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: KJV
The
Father told the Son that his throne will be forever.
Heb
1:7-9 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his
ministers a flame of fire.8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is
for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom
[932].9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even
thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.KJV
Remember,
Jesus said that he wanted everyone to know He Loves the Father, and that he
keeps His commands. The Father anointed
Jesus with the oil of gladness above everyone else. This is why he will be King
of kings and Lord of lords.
1
Tim 6:13-15 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things,
and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good
confession;14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until
the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who
is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings [935], and Lord of lords;
KJV
We
can speak out on the earth what God has told us, Jesus is King of kings and
Lord of lords.
Rev
17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for
he is Lord of lords, and King of kings [935]: and they that are with him are
called, and chosen, and faithful.KJV
Rev
19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS
[935], AND Lord OF LordS.KJV
Again,
after the coronation, the rewards, and the gathering of the 144,000, Jesus will
come with the called, chosen, and faithful. We can speak that as if it is a
past tense reality; it definitely will be a future reality, because God said
it. Also, for those who believe Jesus is Lord and Savior, an entrance will be
made for us into the kingdom of Christ.
2
Peter 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the
everlasting kingdom [932]of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.KJV
The
Root of David, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, is worthy to open the seals.
Rev
5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the
tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to
loose the seven seals thereof.KJV
Jesus
wanted the world to know that He loves the Father, and therefore kept his
Father’s commands. He is Prince over the kings of the earth; satan lost that
authority/power when Jesus died on the cross. In the future Jesus will be
crowned as King of kings and Lord of lords. We can speak those things that God
has spoken, that are not yet, as though they are, because God did. God has made
the end of the age plain and simple for us to understand. Jesus will be King of
the earth, reigning for 1000 years. Isaiah told us ahead of time, what will be.
As our time on earth moves forward it does not leave us lost or confused
because we have a Lord who is Prince and King.
