The Lord Reigneth- Part 2
As we saw yesterday, the word reign means to rule or act as a king. The kingdom of God is His rulership, His domain. God has dominion over all.
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Psalm 93:1 (New International Version, NIV)
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Psalm 96:10 (New International Version, NIV)
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Psalm 97:1 (New International Version, NIV)
This means God and His kingdom rule over all. He is the Highest Authority. God is King, Lord, and even Judge, over all the earth. He is King over all His creation. This means God is wiser and stronger than man. God can take people out of power or put people in power to serve His purposes. For example, He raised up King Cyrus to help finance the rebuilding of the Jewish temple and to release the Jews from captivity to return to their homeland (II Chronicles 36:22-23). Another example is that He judged Herod for doing evil to the early church. Herod was applauded as a god but did not give glory to the true God, so he was struck down (Acts 12:20-23).
Although we may not understand His timing or why certain things happen, God will have the final say and the last word. His Word will prevail over man’s evil deeds and satan’s kingdom.
Psalm 29, 93, and 95-99 are all chapters speaking of God ruling over His creation. As Creator, God has the legal right to rule and reign as God and King. Yet, in the New Testament, God has chosen to rule jointly with man. He has restored authority to born-again man in the earth to right wrongs, to heal the sick, to cast out devils, and to enforce the Word of God. Jesus died and rose again with all authority (Revelation 1:18), which He shared with us because He has made us joint heirs.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (New International Version, NIV)
Our authority is in Jesus’ name, As we enforce God’s Word in Jesus’ name, He confirms His Word. As Lord, Jesus has appointed, commissioned, and anointed us to destroy the works of evil. Matthew 4:17 is an invitation to come into God’s kingdom and allow God to rule in your life. Then, you can rule in the earth over the evil one.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:18-23 (New International Version, NIV)
God is King and His kingdom rules over all, Christ is the Head of His body, the church, and the church exercises her authority over the evil works of satan and his demons. God’s kingdom is established in every place that the church goes and uses her authority. People will see that God rules and His kingdom is established- a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). It is a kingdom of power, victory, and freedom.
The kingdom of God is God. We see God coming into the world to assert His power and rights as ruler against satan and the present course of this world. God’s kingdom is literally in heaven. His spiritual kingdom is in born-again people. His kingdom is made evident in the world when man acts or God intervenes to demonstrate His power to save, heal, and deliver people. God’s kingdom will reign forever with no end.
