When Did Christ Begin to Reign?
The Old Testament promised that God would establish an everlasting kingdom through the Son of David. Jesus announced that the Kingdom was near. The question now is:
When did Jesus begin His reign as the promised King?
The New Testament points us, not to Bethlehem, nor to the cross, but to Jesus' resurrection, ascension, and exaltation.
After His resurrection, Jesus declared,
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18)
Those are the words of a reigning King.
A few weeks later, Peter explained what had happened.
Quoting David, he showed that Jesus had been raised from the dead and exalted to God's right hand.
Then he declared,
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)
Peter was not announcing that Jesus would someday become King.
He proclaimed that Jesus had been exalted and was now both Lord and Messiah.
This fulfilled what David had written centuries earlier:
"The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'" (Psalm 110:1)
The New Testament quotes this passage more than any other Old Testament text. It repeatedly points to Christ's present reign at the Father's right hand.
Daniel saw the same event in his vision.
He watched
"One like the Son of Man" come before the Ancient of Days,
"And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom." (Daniel 7:13-14)
Notice carefully where this takes place.
The Son of Man comes to the Ancient of Days—not from heaven to earth, but into God's presence to receive His kingdom.
The New Testament identifies this with Christ's exaltation following His resurrection.
Paul describes Jesus as seated
"at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power...and He put all things under His feet." (Ephesians 1:20-22)
Again, the picture is not of a King waiting to rule.
It is of a King who is already reigning.
That is why the apostles preached Jesus as the living Lord. His reign did not begin at some later time. It began when God exalted Him to His right hand and gave Him all authority in heaven and on earth.
Understanding this truth helps us see the rest of the New Testament more clearly.
The church lives under the authority of a reigning King.
The Kingdom is not waiting for its King.
It already has one.
Continue Your Study
Why Is the Church Called the Kingdom?
If Christ is already reigning, why does the New Testament sometimes speak of the church and the Kingdom almost interchangeably?
Are they the same?
Or are they different?
We'll examine the passages and allow the Scriptures to answer.
Related Bible Studies
Why Did Jesus Say, "The Kingdom Is at Hand?"
Why Does the Bible Call the Church the Kingdom of God?
When Did the Church Begin?
The Story of Redemption
Companion Video
When Did Christ Begin to Reign?
Read First. Conclude Later.