End Time Insights

The Nations and the Kings of the Earth are found in the City of New Jerusalem because of the redeeming work of the Lamb . The  Book of Revelation  presents us with paradoxical images and visions that do not conform to our expectations about how God works.  Christ’s  purpose in subjugating His enemies and judging the nations differs radically from so-called “human wisdom.” Just as his contemporaries did not understand Jesus, so we too often fail to comprehend the “ Slain Lamb ” and how he is “ shepherding the nations ,”  present tense , from the Messianic Throne.

Jesus is the promised King from the Line of David who guides the Nations of the Earth to the Holy City, New Jerusalem  – Revelation 12:5. The “ Son ” pictured in the twelfth chapter of the  Book of Revelation  is the Messianic figure of the  Second Psalm  who is destined to “ Shepherd the Nations .” Following his Enthronement, Heaven declared, “ Now is come the Kingdom of God and the authority of His Messiah .” His reign commenced following his “ Faithful Testimony ” given in his Death, and his victory through his Resurrection. He is also, therefore, the “ Firstborn of the Dead .”

The kings and nations of the Earth are found in New Jerusalem because of the Lamb’s redemptive work . The Apostle Paul describes the proclamation of “ Christ crucified ” as “ God’s wisdom and power .” The proposition that God overthrew Sin, Satan, and Death through the execution of a lowly man from the small village of Nazareth is “ foolishness ” to men and contrary to this world’s “wisdom” and ideologies. Even the spiritual “ powers and principalities ” did not understand what God was doing and sealed their fate by crucifying the “ Lord of Glory .”

War began in Heaven with the Dragon poised to destroy the Messianic Son as soon as he was “born” – Revelation 12:1-6. In Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation , John saw a new “ sign ” in the heavens, the Woman “ clothed with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet .” She was wearing a “ crown of twelve stars .” She was pregnant and about to give birth to one identified as “ son .” This “ son ” appeared in fulfillment of the Messianic promise in the Second Psalm , the King and Anointed Son of God who was destined to “ Shepherd the Nations .”

The Lamb’s reign commenced with his Death and Resurrection. Since then, he has been shepherding the nations to the Holy City, New Jerusalem . The  Book of Revelation  assures the beleaguered congregations of Asia that Jesus reigns and has events firmly in hand despite appearances. His sovereignty is based on his past Death and Resurrection. It is absolute, extending even over “ Death and Hades .” His resurrection from the dead marked the start of his reign from the Messianic Throne.

Christ’s sovereignty is based on his Death and Resurrection, the immovable foundation of his present reign in the Book of Revelation . The sacrifice and exaltation of Jesus are prominent themes in the  Book of Revelation . God’s plan to redeem humanity and His creation through His Son is unveiled in the Book’s visions and images. Christ’s Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement are implementing God’s Redemptive Plan, and the present reign of the Lamb is the result of his sacrificial death. Jesus is the “ Lamb who is worthy ” to receive all power and glory.

Jesus, the Faithful Witness, now reigns supreme over the Kings of the Earth, and he is shepherding the nations to the Holy City of New Jerusalem . Jesus is called the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth ” in the Prologue of  Revelation . This declaration is made in the  present tense  since his sovereignty is based on his Death and Resurrection. He does not rule by hereditary right, economic power, or military might, but because of his redeeming death. The slain “ Lamb ” is the one who sits on the Throne, and his authority extends even over “ Death and Hades .”