Because He chose to make Him self of no reputation by emptying Himself of all the divine privileges and honors of heaven, and chose to become flesh, dwelling upon earth as a servant, and then humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross, Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power by His resurrection (Romans 1:4).
After presenting Himself alive after His gruesome suffering with many infallible proofs, He was taken up from our planet after forty days and returned to heaven as a victor over sin, death, and Hades.
As per Daniel’s prophecy (7:13 14), He came to the Ancient of Days and was given everlasting dominion, unspeakable glory, and an indestructible kingdom. All authority in heaven and earth was given Him (Matthew 28:18).
Christ was seated at His Father’s right hand, far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name that is named. All things have been put under His feet, and He is head over all things to the church, which is His body (Ephesians 1:20 23).
Therefore, He presently reigns as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the only Potentate (1 Timothy 6:15) and will do so until all His enemies have been utterly defeated. His last enemy to be destroyed is death.
While ruling this world with a rod of iron, He is also serving as a priest of God (Hebrews 7:17). Because of His uniqueness, He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25).
Because the gates of Hades could not prevail against Him, He did build His church (Matthew 16:18), the temple of the Lord (Ephesians 2:19-21). In fulfillment of Zechariah’s four predictions, Jesus built the temple of the Lord, received glory, sits and rules on His throne, and is a priest on His throne (Zechariah 6:12-13).
For Him to legally function as both king and priest, a change of the law had to occur (Hebrews 7:13). The Old Testament did not permit any descendant of Judah or David to officiate at the altar. (King Uzziah tried but was immediately struck with leprosy–2 Chronicles 26:16-21.)
For Christ to obtain a more excellent priestly ministry as mediator, a new covenant had to be given. As prophesied by Jeremiah (31:31-34), a new and better covenant with better promises (“their sins and iniquities I will remember no more”) replaced the old covenant made through Moses.
As is universally true: “Where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives” (Hebrews 9:16-17). Jesus’ blood was shed at Calvary to inaugurate the new covenant and provide to everyone sufficient means for remission of sin.
God has exalted Jesus and given Him the name – “Savior” – which is above every name. He alone is the way of reconciliation to God (John 14:6). He is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), and there is salvation in no one else, “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
When Christ’s final act of His sovereignty occurs, death–His final enemy–will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). All who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth (John 5:28-29). All will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God that Jesus Christ is Lord (Romans 14:10-11).
Sitting on the throne of His glory, Jesus will separate all nations into two groups–like a shepherd divides His sheep from the goats. The obedient righteous (the sheep) will inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. The disobedient unrighteous (the goats) will be condemned and sent into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
Will the King of kings and Lord of lords identify you as an obedient sheep or a disobedient goat?
