“The Kingdoms of this World”

Resurrection Results

Introduction – The resurrection of Jesus Christ declared Him to be the Son of God with power (Rom 1:4). That is to say, the cross accomplished exactly what God had promised, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). The declaration of Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, the Son of David, the King of kings and Lord of lords, proves that He redeemed His people for Himself, and established His kingdom reign upon all of heaven and earth.

The celebration of Easter is not simply a celebration of the sum of individuals who have received new life in Christ. It is the celebration of the New Heavens and the New Earth, the New Covenant, a New Temple, the New Lord’s Day, the New Sabbath. “…old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor 5:17). At the sound of the seventh trumpet, the new creation is inaugurated.

The Text – Revelation 11:15-17 “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.”

The Resurrection Secured the Salvation of the Elect – Jesus Christ did not die in order to provide the possibility that some would be saved if they wanted. He secured the salvation of those He redeemed. His resurrection declares this victory.

Rev 5:9 – Jesus has redeemed us to God by His blood. We are here because He came and purchased us.

Titus 2:14 – Jesus wanted a special people, zealous for good deeds. His death and resurrection are the means by which these special people are purified.

John 10:14-18 – Jesus knows who His sheep are. He knows for whom He laid His life down.

John 10:25-30 – Conversely, Jesus knows who those are who are not His sheep. They do not hear His voice as a sheep hears the voice of his shepherd. Jesus does not say that they are not His sheep because they do not believe. Rather, He says that they do not believe because they are not His sheep.

Christ owes no man mercy. Those who do not believe this shake their fist at God in their self-righteousness and God gives them what they want. Those who understand and believe this cry out for mercy on the basis of mercy and receive eternal life.

The Resurrection Secured the Salvation of the World – Our text seems not only to declare Christ’s Lordship over His elect, but over the world. The kingdoms, Jew and Gentile alike, have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.

How Is This Different? – In one sense, Christ has always exercised dominion over the whole earth (Ps 24:1-2). What has changed is that, through the resurrection, the undoing of the effects of sin has begun. Satan, who is called ‘the god of this world’ has this name due to the world-wide effects of the Fall. The cross toppled this state of affairs (Col 2:15).

At the Resurrection (Eph 1:20-23) – This event in Revelation is not in our future. Christ’s full reign upon the earth officially began at His resurrection. In this sense, this world now has a ‘new’ God (Matt 28:18).

The Work of God, from Mustard Seed to Garden Dominion – The problem is that we do not see the full manifestation of this “new creation” yet. But that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t occurred.

Leaven is Really in the Loaf (Matt 13:33). The little seed really has been put in the ground (Matt 13:31-32). The stone really is growing into a mountain that covers the earth (Dan 2:35). The river trickling out from the new temple really does fill the earth (Ez 47:1-6). Progressively, we are told, the manifestation of the truth is revealed.

Easter Applications –

Kings and Priests – Jesus is the High King-Priest. His victory is sure. He has set us with Him in the heavens to reign with Him. We do so in the proclamation of the gospel. It is here, in our worship primarily, that we should expect to see (and pray for) the potency of this gospel.

No Nation is Exempt – Jesus rules the nations with an iron rod. Afghanistan and the United States both have the same Lord. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God”(Ps 9:17). We have forgotten God.

Twenty Four Elders – These represent Christ’s Church (12 patriarchs of the Old Covenant, 12 apostles of the New). Notice that they sit, ruling with Christ, and they fall on their faces and worship God with thanksgiving. We are commanded to have gospel-dominion over the earth and not to worship the world. We are commanded to fall down in fearful thanksgiving before our great God.

Honest Optimism – We must be honest. The church appears impotent; the world in charge. But remember the writer of Hebrews “…we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus…” Hallelujah! He is risen. He is risen indeed. Faith in Christ leads to glorious consequences for you personally, and for the world – not potentially, but actually.

Dave Hatcher – Resurrection Sunday, 2002