I Believe Jesus Sits Enthroned

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