I Believe Jesus Sits Enthroned
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 8/30/2015 AM |
Text: | II Thessalonians 1; Lord's Day 19 |
Psalters: | 420, 1, 16, 200 |
- His sitting at God’s right hand.
- The expression “God’s right hand” is a figure of speech.
- “Sitting” indicates He finished His work, not to rest.
- Jesus has a position of authority, power and honor in heaven and earth (Eph. 1:20; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:9-11; I Tim. 6:15)
- All creatures are subject to Him, either willingly (angels or regenerate) or unwillingly (devils and unbelievers).
- Christ, on God's behalf, carries out God’s plan for the new dispensation (Rev.5:2-7; I Cor. 15:24-28).
- Great comfort is derived from His rule.
- The knowledge that Jesus is Lord greatly comforts in every difficulty of life.
- The knowledge that He is Lord of all moves us to obey Him and to confess Him.
- The expression “God’s right hand” is a figure of speech.
- Jesus will come again in order to judge.
- The return of Jesus will be with great power and glory (Matt. 24:30,31; II Thess. 1:7).
- The chief purpose of Jesus' return is to Judge all, the judgment of all mankind (John 5:22,27; II Cor. 5:10).
- The purpose is the theodicy, the justification of God in the consciousness of all moral creatures.
- It will show that God is perfectly just in sending the wicked to everlasting torment.
- It will show the amazing power of Christ's blood to make full and perfect payment for ALL the sins of the elect.
- Christ’s return is "most desirable and comfortable to the righteous" (Belgic Conf., Art. 37).
- Therefore, we anticipate His return "with uplifted head" in the hope of our justification and of our enemies' condemnation.