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Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate during
His trial, Pilate was asked, “Are you the King of Jews?” Jesus
answered, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)
The literal Greek implies that Jesus said His kingdom was not ”out
of” or “from” this world. It was not derived from
the world of men. It was not empowered by the power of men. Jesus’ kingdom
did not come from the realm of men. Pilate did not understand that
the King of kings, and the Lord of lords was standing before him.
Pilate was out of the realm of men, but Jesus was not. Pilate did
not understand that his authority and power to reign as king over
Judea did not really come from Caesar of Rome. It came from the One
who was standing before him (Acts 2:23; Rom. 13:1). This fact is
still true today with every nation and province of the world. The
rule of men is an illusion of power and authority that some day will
end.
The
realm of God’s rule has always existed and will never end (Ps. 145:13).
He has always ruled in heaven, and yet He allows men to rule on earth to some
degree. The Apostle Paul said that will change some day.
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I
charge you in the presence of God . . . and of Christ Jesus,
who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until
the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring
about at the proper time - He who is the blessed and only
Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords . . . (NASB)
1 Tim. 6:13-15 |
The
apostle says “the proper time.” When the proper time
comes, Jesus will rule as King of kings and Lord of lords and the
rule of men will end. His delegated authority and power will be taken
back and His kingdom will come to earth.
The
King’s Return. Early in the book of Revelation,
Jesus opened the fifth seal (Revelation 6:9-11). When He did, the
Apostle John saw the souls of men and women who had been murdered
because they were Christians. John also heard them ask how long would
God wait to avenge their blood. The answer they received was this,
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And
there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were
told that they should rest for a little while longer, until
the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who
were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed
also. (NASB) Rev. 6:11 |
They
would have to wait until the proper time - wait until a certain group
of men and women who believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
were killed. The proper time had not yet come!
But
as we pick up our study thirteen chapters later in Revelation 19:17, the proper
time has come and the King of kings has finally arrived to end the rule of men
and establish His kingdom. He is on a white horse, dressed in a red robe dipped
in blood, wearing many crowns on His head, having glowing eyes, carrying a sharp
sword, and His names are “Faithful and True,” “The Word of
God,” and . . . |
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