“Christ Reigns Today”

Jarrod Jacobs

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigns today. This is a fact that is lost on many. After His resurrection and ascension, Christ sat down at the right hand of God to reign over us. Daniel saw this day, and declared, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13-14). The fulfillment of Daniel’s vision is seen in Acts 1:9-11 when Christ “came to” God and sat down at His right hand. The apostle Paul said that Christ is reigning now, and “must reign til he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (I Cor. 15:25- 26). In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul discussed Christ’s resurrection and ascension and said, “Which he (God) wrought in Christ, when he (God) raised him (Christ) from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:20-23). Certainly, Christ is reigning today.

Christ reigns over us today as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (I Tim. 6:15). We may not want to think about it; some may even deny it; but when all is said and done, Christ reigns today! God told His Son (not the angels, Heb. 1:5-6), “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom” (Heb. 1:8).

Based on the truth that Christ reigns over us today, what does this mean to us?

First, it means man has no authority. Jesus pronounced that He had all authority. “Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). If Christ has all authority, then how much does that leave for you or me? Once we understand this, then we will be on our way to being submissive to our King!

It also means that man has no legislative power. Some take upon themselves the role of lawmaker. This is evident in those who hear Christ’s words and then declare, “I know the Bible says that, but....” Sometimes, after hearing God’s word, people state, “That is your opinion.” If you or I are guilty of this, then we are trying to be the lawmaker! Friends, that job has already been taken! Christ is the lawmaker today (Jas. 4:12). His law is found in the New Testament, and it will not change (Matt. 24:35). It is high time we accepted it and obeyed rather than fighting against it!

Finally, Christ reigning today means that we will be punished if we do not do as the King says. Again, the apostle Paul wrote about this aspect of Christ’s reign. He wrote to the Thessalonians and told them that on the last day, Christ will come, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thess. 1:8-9). Do we want to be found in rebellion against the King? Of course, not! Then, we must become a citizen of His Kingdom through faith in Him (Jn. 8:24), repenting of sins (Lk. 13:3), confessing our faith in Christ (Rom. 10:10), and being baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16). What is keeping us from doing what is right? What is keeping us from being faithful to the very taking of our lives (Rev. 2:10)? “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1)! It does not matter who is in the White House or the thrones of men, Jesus Christ reigns today!

“A Martyr For Christ”

Jarrod Jacobs

On my wall, I have a picture of several preachers of the gospel from the 1800’s and 1900’s. A picture of brother W.M. King stands out to me. It stands out because above his picture there is a caption which reads, “A Martyr For Christ”. That inscription speaks volumes! This simple, yet deeply moving epitaph reminds me of the statement made about Antipas in Revelation 2:13. Of course, Antipas and bro. King are not the only ones who have died because they were faithful to God. What can we learn from the example of martyrs?

A Martyr Is “Faithful Unto Death” (Rev. 2:10).

Being “faithful unto death” literally means being faithful to the very taking of your life. This is what martyrs do! When faced with the possibility of losing their lives or losing favor with God, people like Antipas and bro. King chose to lose their lives!

In addition to these, another martyr for Christ was Polycarp. Polycarp lived contemporary with the apostle John. When threatened with being burned at the stake for his refusal to worship Caesar, he responded: “For eighty-six years I’ve served Jesus, and he has never wronged me in any way. How, then, can I possibly curse my very King and Savior?”

All Christians need to be faithful to God to the very taking of our lives. Martyrs for the cause of Christ show us what it means to be faithful.

A Martyr’s Example Abides.

In contrast with the evil ones that are often forgotten after their death (Ecc. 8:10), the example of various martyrs for Christ remains. Paul taught that the good works of the faithful cannot be hid (I Tim. 5:25). In addition to the martyrs we have mentioned, don’t forget Stephen (Acts 7). He left an example that not only teaches us, but also left an impression on Saul of Tarsus (Acts 7:58)! Stephen, when he knew he was going to be killed, did not apologize, change his teaching, nor in any way compromise so as to “live another day.” His good example abides and teaches us bravery in the face of man’s hatred. Without question, many other examples could be added to this list.

A Martyr Has Vision.

In addition to the martyrs we have mentioned, Hebrews 11:35-38 lists things that happened to the Lord’s faithful: “Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated — of whom the world was not worthy — ….” One’s life ending in a cruel death is not what people desire. Yet, these folks died knowing that they would “rise again to a better life”! They understood that true purpose in life is not to be found on earth, but with God!

Hebrews 11:35-38 is but one passage where we see the vision of the faithful. Their principles would not allow them to forsake the Lord. Therefore, they accepted the consequences of being the friend of God and an enemy of the world (cf. Jas. 4:4; Jn. 15:18-20). Hebrews 11:13-15 applies to them as well. They “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” The man who has his eyes upon the “here and now” will not have the vision necessary to see the “city” that is yet to come! Let us thank God for those who were faithful to the very taking of their lives, and died in His service.

Conclusion

Let us examine ourselves (II Cor. 13:5). Are we faithful to the Lord (Rev. 2:10)? Does I Corinthians 15:58 describe us? Are we standing strong and enduring (Matt. 10:22; Eph. 6:10)? Are we better than the martyrs? Are we enduring more than they did? Are our enemies stronger than theirs? The Holy Spirit said, “Now the just shall live by faith: and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” May the words of Hebrews 10:38-39 ring in our ears and settle in our hearts, so that we live it in our lives!