There is no doubt in the minds of most of God’s people that Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended to the highest possible place in all of heaven and earth. Paul tells us that having humbled Himself to the point of even allowing Himself to die on the cross, Jesus was exalted by God ‘to the highest place and given the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.’ Philippians 2:8-11.
This is a really important truth to hold onto in an age when the name of Jesus is more often used in common parlance as a swear word, and when the internet world is full of ‘influencers’ who use their name and ideas to gather huge numbers of ‘followers’. The problem for them is that their fame is only temporal, and will only last for a season. Our Jesus, our King of Kings ‘will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,’ forever and ever, and furthermore ‘Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.’ Isaiah 9:6,7. Now that is good news.
If we join the apostle John, in his vision of heaven, we see the throne and hear the same truths sung by all the creatures in heaven and earth. “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13. As far as God is concerned, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the victory has been won. Verifying that Jesus was definitely not just an angel, the writer to the Hebrews asks the question, ‘To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstall for your feet”?’ Hebrews 1:13, thus indicating that the victory, now being celebrated in heaven, will one day become apparent on the earth.
Jesus was raised from the dead by God’s Mighty Power, ‘which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.’ Ephesians 1:20-23.
Mysteriously, and mystically, we who have accepted God’s love and forgiveness through Christ, and have made Him the Lord of our lives, have also been ‘raised up with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.’ Ephesians 2:6. We are now part of His plan to make ‘the kingdom of the world…. the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.’ Revelation 11:15.
After Jesus had risen from the dead, and just before He ascended to heaven, He commissioned the disciples saying to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19,20.
Jesus was delegating the amazing task of spreading His Kingdom Rule, to His followers, who would be ‘seated with Him in heavenly places’, (i.e. with Him spiritually in that place of authority), and indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And so in the Acts of the Apostles we read how the early church did indeed ‘turn the world upside down’, Acts 17:6 AV, as they moved with authority and power, preaching, teaching, healing and doing miracles in Jesus name. The Kingdom of God spread far and wide wherever they went.
Although we do hear of many amazing things happening in other parts of the world, here in Europe, in what was often referred to as ‘christendom’, we seem to see much less of these things. I believe the Lord is calling us, the church here in England, back to a level of faith and authority that most of us have never experienced. I for one have often wondered how do we get from ‘where we are now’, to ‘where we need to be’, in terms of that level of vibrant Christianity. So today I think that we can start on that journey by thanking Jesus, that He is on the throne, and that we are ‘seated with Him’.
Thanksgiving for these mind blowing truths will, I believe, bring us into a greater realization of the spiritual reality of our delegated authority. Faith will grow in our hearts and then, ‘out of the overflow of our hearts, our mouths will speak.’ Matthew 12:34, and who knows what might happen then?!
