King Jesus…now or later?

“Jesus has to return to set up his earthly kingdom,” I was told a week ago by a dispensationalist.

Interesting, I thought. This person is saying that Jesus isn’t really King now and apparently the Bible says he has to return in order to be King.

This assertion goes against the reality that for the writers of the New Testament, Jesus is Lord and King NOW and that there is no future need for him to be established as King because it was established at the cross and vindicated at his resurrection.

Jesus is King now, not later, and here are some verses to ponder:

Matthew 28:18 – “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

King’s have authority…ultimate authority. And look what Jesus says about where that authority is…heaven and earth, now.

Ephesians 1:19-21a – “and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe,according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named…”

Being at the right hand means you have ultimate power and authority, so much so, that it is far beyond any other powers!

Jesus claimed to be the son of man (“Human One“) from Daniel 7:13-14 -

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Seems fairly clear, right? This is fulfilled in Acts 1:10-11 when Jesus “comes” the Ancient of Days. Notice that the coming is not from heaven to earth, but from earth to heaven. Jesus is ruling and reigning as King and Lord over all right now.

Serve him.