- The Incarnation and the Meaning of Christmas
- Why is the Incarnation So Important?
- The Crucifixion of Christ: To Save Us From Our Sins
- Jesus Died on the Cross for You
- What is Propitiation and Why is it Important?
- Jesus is Alive! Why the Resurrection is Important
- Jesus is Alive! Why the Resurrection is Important, Part 2
- Why is the Ascension Important?
- What Happened after Jesus Ascended?
- Is Jesus Greater Than the Storm You’re Facing?
- What Does Melchizedek Have to Do with Jesus?
- The Importance of Having a Great High Priest
- Our Great High Priest Offers Mercy and Grace
- We Have an Intercessor and Advocate in Jesus
- The Future Work of Christ: He is Coming Back
- Looking Forward to the Resurrection of Our Bodies
- Here Comes the Judge: Two Future Judgments With Different Results
- The King of the World
In this blog series on the work of Christ, what he did in the past, what he’s doing now, and what he’ll do in the future, we’ve arrived at the 18th and final post. Thanks to those of you who’ve read all the previous posts. I’ve loved every minute spent researching, praying, and writing about what Jesus does for us.
When we look at the future work of Christ, we walk a tightrope between the study of Jesus on one side and the study of the End Times on the other. Now, though, we have to lean far into a study of the End Times to see the work of Jesus as King.
Jesus is already serving as the ruler of the universe (Ephesians 1:20-22), but something more is coming. We live in the “already but not yet” reality of God’s kingdom. We’re in the kingdom now, but a future kingdom is coming. And in that kingdom, Jesus will physically reign as King.
Way back in the Old Testament, God promised King David that one of his descendants would rule on his throne and would rule forever (2 Samuel 7:16). The prophet Isaiah had this to say:
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:7)
Jesus himself acknowledged that he was and would be King:
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” (Matthew 27:11)
Though he is now King, Jesus won’t fully reign until his return:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.” (Matthew 25:31)
Please also read an incredible description in Revelation 19:11-20.
What we’re talking about here is the Millennial Kingdom. When Jesus returns, he’ll set up a literal, physical kingdom which will stand for 1000 years. You can read about this in Revelation 20:1-6, where the Apostle John mentions the thousand years multiple times.
Jesus will rule all the nations of the world for a thousand years with perfect grace and perfect justice. Earth will experience righteousness, justice, peace, and prosperity. God doesn’t give us too much detail about what the Millennium will be like, but we know there will be no more war (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3). Isaiah 11 describes the peace that will exist under the perfect reign of Christ. Even wild animals will be harmless (Isaiah 11:1-9).
Jesus will reign from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3). The people of Israel will occupy the land God promised her in Numbers 34, as we see in Ezekiel 47:13-23, including present-day Lebanon, Syria, parts of Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula.
Then, after 1000 years, this kingdom will change. Satan, who has been bound for the entire Millennium, will be released, and he’ll lead a rebellion against the rule of Jesus. This will be the final rebellion, and it will be crushed. What comes next is the end. It would be better to call it the Beginning.
In Revelation 21, the Apostle John mentions the “new heaven and new earth,” stating that the current heaven and earth will pass away. Since sin entered the universe, this is what history has been moving toward. Many Christians consider heaven to be our forever home. The Bible tells us something different.
Our permanent home will be earth, just not this earth. At the end of the 1000-year kingdom, God will create a new heaven and earth. Heaven and earth will no longer be separate realms, as they’ll be merged. In the new heaven and earth, God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4), death shall be no more, and creation will be freed from the curse caused by sin (Romans 8:21).
After John writes all this, he offers one more invitation to those who don’t know Jesus.
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17)
If you’re not a believer, that invitation is for you. You can accept his offer of forgiveness and enjoy the new heaven and new earth. He invites you to come to him now. Are you ready to accept that offer?
At the end of Revelation, John records one final promise of Jesus and then a prayer to Jesus. In Revelation 22:20, Jesus gives us the promise: “Surely I am coming soon.” And John’s response is a prayer that should be ours as well: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Jesus has been at work in eternity past and will be at work in eternity future. Knowing that he will one day return, our only response is, “Come, Lord Jesus.”