We Will Reign Upon the Earth

Mark Dunagan
05/04/08 - Sunday Morning

"Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10).

Futurists argue that this "reigning" applies when Jesus supposedly rules from an earthly throne on the earth in the future. In fact, "according to dispensational expectations, many unsaved people will live on the earth during the Millennium and the saints will reign over these people from their headquarters in Jerusalem" (Gregg p. 99). Others argue that the above expression means that Christians will gradually gain all the positions of power and authority in the world prior to Christ's return. Yet the problem with both these interpretations is the "timing". The verse is not talking about something a long way off in the future, for Christians, even the Christians that John was writing to, were presently a kingdom (Colossians 1:12-14; Revelation 1:9), andcurrently priests (1 Peter 2:5-10). Added to all this, Christ presently reigns (Ephesians 1:20-23; 1 Peter 3:22), and Paul records more than once in the Roman letter that Christians are current victors, "Those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17); "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" (8:37). Even John in the Revelation letter often speaks of the faithful Christian as "overcoming" (2:26; 3:21).

What the Reigning is Not

Barclay notes, "His people shall reign upon earth. This is not political triumph or material lordship. It is the secret of victorious living under any circumstances (John 16:33). In Christ there is victory over self, victory over circumstance, and victory over sin"(p. 225). McGuiggan reminds us, "It cannot be said too often. Appearances do not prove the saints are not now reigning. Appearances do not prove Jesus is not reigning. The same appearances ‘prove' to the skeptic there is no God in control of the world" (p. 93). Therefore "reigning" never meant a problem-free life, winning all the elections, converting everyone, having the biggest religious group in town, being materially successful or sinlessly perfect.

Why this is Important

The George Fox Journal contained an article in its Winter 2008 issue on the topic of Rethinking Evangelism. The article was an interview with Todd Hunter, who is the national director of Alpha USA. In the article he notes that all the research he has gathered concerning church growth agrees that the marketing approaches to evangelism have not really worked, not in terms of making genuine disciples. He bemoans the fact that all studies indicate that people in the denominations do not live any differently than non-Christians. Slogans, bumper-stickers, marketing campaigns, and advertizing is not the answer. What is the answer is a community of Christians living as if they believe the gospel is actually true. He observes among the denominations that they are many churches that are not really practicing Christianity (something that members of the Lord's church have been saying for centuries), and what many non-Christians are really interested in is, "Does Christianity make one a better person?" "Does it work?" To the unbeliever, if something does not appear to work then it must not be "true". In addition, he notes, "If Christian's do not begin to pursue spiritual formation into Christlikeness, we will completely lose our voice in our culture" (p. 12).

God's Plan

The above article was an interesting read, yet, it really did not present anything new. For centuries God has been reminding the church in the Scriptures that the world is not going to take us seriously unless we are living transformed, changed and different lives. Or, in other words, living like we are truly reigning over trials, challenges and temptations:

• "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16)

• "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34)

• "Do not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2)

• "That you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15)

• "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders" (Colossians 4:5)

• "So that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need" (1 Thessalonians 4:12)

• "And give the enemy no occasion for reproach" (1 Timothy 5:14); "Show yourself an example of those who believe" (4:12)

• "That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect" (Titus 2:10)

• "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles" (1 Peter 2:12)

We are more than "just forgiven"

Hunter observes, "Something really tragic happened when a reductionist rendering of the gospel got married to the American marketing machine. So there was a perfect storm of reductionisms that basically said: ‘Say this prayer so that when you die you can go to heaven'. Or when the gospel got reduced to a bumper sticker that said: ‘Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven'. Really? That's all Christians are—just forgiven? No Kingdom, no serving others, no personal growth, just forgiven?" (p. 11). He makes an excellent point. Being forgiven is very important yet it is not the sum total of who we are or what we do. Forgiveness is the beginning point and the constant foundation underneath us, yet we are expected to grow, live differently, and definitely break from the common sinful practices, attitudes and paths taken by the majority. We see this played out in Romans chapter six. The Christian is forgiven at baptism (6:3-5), yet this experience brings with it a moral necessity, that is, once forgiven we must stop living in sin (6:2). This includes breaking the bondage, slavery and addiction (6:6,11-12), and no longer allowing one's mind or body to be used as the vehicle of sin (6:13,16).

A Religion for Death

Christianity certain prepares one to meet God at death or at the judgment, yet Hunter accurately observes that what many churches offer is really nothing more than a religion for death, that is, this religion gives one the hope of heaven yet really does not change the way a person lives, feels or thinks each day. For centuries the Lord's church has been seeking to remind people of this same truth, that one is not going to end up saved or in heaven if one is living no differently than the world:

• "Those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:21)

• "For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Ephesians 5:5)

• "Consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come" (Colossians 3:5-6).

Practical Applications

• The world needs to see Christian men reigning over lust, impurity, sexual immorality and anger. "I am writing to you young men, because you have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2:13).

• The world needs to see Christian couples reigning in their marriages. If the divorce rate among God's people is the same or even close to the rate in the world, then we are not reigning.

• The world needs to see young Christians, Christians who are teenagers living far differently from their peers. When young people adopt the language, example, character, and attitude of Scripture, the message this sends to the world, is that the Bible remains relevant. When adults or young Christians conform to the world, the message we are sending is that the values, trends, attitudes, and language presented in the media or at school is far more real than anything one can find in Scripture. When I act, look and sound like the world I am saying that the culture is the way, truth and the life, and not Christ. The following verse will only seem true to unbelievers if they see someone doing it, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word" (Psalm 119:9). This is so important that the only way at times to revive a dying congregation or one that is stagnant, is for the young people who are present to make the following determination, "We will completely conform ourselves to Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

What will last

Hunter reminds us, "Another way to think about this is that our projects are hardly ever God's projects. You are God's project. Even if you do brilliant work, it is not going to last in the new heaven and new earth. But the kind of person you become is what you will take into eternity" (p. 15).