The Lord of History

History moves toward a steady goal because God is in control of history. Jesus Christ is Lord of all including time, kings and kingdoms. He is the Lord of history.

The lordship of Jesus Christ includes every area of life. “The blessed hope” of history is the triumphant, visible return of Jesus Christ. It will be a “glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Jesus Christ will return in triumph to fulfill God’s eternal purpose with all of creation. Creation begins and ends with Christ. The Creator is the Beginning and the Finisher of His creation. We need to remind ourselves of this truth that man is not the creator; he is the created.

Only the Father in heaven knows when that triumphant day will appear (Matt. 24:36). We do know that cataclysmic events will occur (Matt. 24; 25; Mark 13; Luke 21).

Our occupation until His return is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every tribe, people and nation. Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).

As we take the Gospel to every nation, we are to watch expectantly for His return (Matt. 24:27-44; 25:13; Mk. 13:35-36; Lk. 12:35-40).

Like the early followers of Jesus Christ, I am certain of His return. The Lord Jesus is returning in absolute triumph and display of His eternal glory. All of history is moving toward this glorious climax.

History has a reason and that reason is Jesus Christ. It is moving to a climax when “time shall be no more.” A time is coming when “every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11).

This will be a day of victory, judgment and glory for Jesus Christ (Rev. 19).

God’s righteousness demands that all evil be judged. There is no way evil can give glory to God. In triumphant judgment, God will judge and put away all evil. He will reign in righteousness over all His creation and there will be no pain, no sorrow, no tears and no more death (Rev. 21-22).

Christ will be the Judge (Matt. 16:27; 13:24-30; chaps. 24-25; Jn. 5:28-30). You may think you sit in judgment on Him today, but in the end, He will be your Judge. There will be no exceptions when Christ returns. It will be a day when Christ will vindicate His righteousness (Matt. 13:41-42). Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 2:16; 1 Thess. 2:19).

The righteous will be rewarded and will sit with Christ in judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30).

The Bible teaches that just as heaven is eternal, hell is also eternal (Mk. 9:43, 48; Matt. 5:29-30; 13:42, 50; 22:13; Luke 16:26; Rev. 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:10). You cannot explain away these references to eternal punishment for those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is in this life that we take sides. We choose to make Jesus Christ Lord of our lives, or we cast our vote with Satan.

The Book of Revelation reveals that there is only one person who can disclose the meaning and purpose of history. He is the triumphant Lord of history (Rev. 5:9-10).

Imagine what it will be like when all heaven explodes into glory when people from every tribe, language and nation will bow to the name that is above every name and confess “Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

Everyone who will be in heaven will be there only because Jesus Christ purchased them for God by His own precious blood.

The only song worth singing is, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:12).

Who is the One to whom we sing? “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praised and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13).

The picture of God’s throne of glory in heaven is that of Christ. Jesus Christ is Lord because God is Lord.

History closes with Jesus Christ reigning as Lord (Rev. 1; 4-5; 19). I am on the winning side and I pray you are, too.

Selah!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006