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AbaddonProvesIt, I appreciate your perspective and the scriptures you referenced. Yes, Jesus was resurrected and exalted to sit at God’s right hand (Romans 1:4; 1 Peter 3:22), but the question is whether His full rulership as King began at that moment or later, in fulfillment of prophetic events.
EisMe,
First think about this plain, simple statement:
Jesus is allowed to "sit" upon God's Throne . . . and yet, he is NOT . . . NOT "Enthroned." yet.
How can this be???
Even though we know the Watchtower Society has taught this very thing for many years, about the date of 1914 in fact, it is still a most ridiculous assumption in itself, that is NOT taught in Holy Scripture. It is a foolish assertion made by the Watchtower Society, in their worthless religious literature.
Think: How can a person be allowed to sit upon a throne, and not be considered an "enthroned" king, I ask?
Additionally, please consider the following, relative to this discussion.
See Link: https://livingwatersforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=970
WHEN DOES JESUS' HEAVENLY REIGN BEGIN?
[See full-color blog covering this topic at this link: http://www.yorww.com/reign.html ]
"[GOD] LEFT NOTHING THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO HIM" -- HEBREWS 2:8
An important scripture that sheds light on the subject of Christ's
authority and all that was given him at his resurrection from death is
found at Hebrews 2:8 which says:
"All things you subjected under his feet. For in that he subjected all
things to him [God] left nothing that is not subject to him. Now,
though, we do not yet see all things in subjection to him."
This is a scripture that the Watchtower Society has NOT spent much time
examining in their literature. We see this is so because Hebrews 2:8 shows us "all things have been made subject" to Jesus, since his resurrection. In fact it says,
"[God] has left nothing that is not subject" to him.
That's right, "nothing," that was left "not subject" to Jesus' Heavenly
Kingdom Authority, yes as early as the first century, as Paul shows.
Therefore, according to this verse, Jesus Christ is in complete control
of "all things," and "nothing" is exempt from his authority and control.
However, Paul adds this enlightening point for us by saying,
"...though, we do not see all things in subjection to him
We, today, do not actually see the full power of Jesus demonstrated in
"making all things subject" to him. No, even though in actuality
everything is "subject" to Jesus right now. Nevertheless, God's Son
simply has not totally exercised that power to fully demonstrate his
domination over everything. That comes later.
Let's take this thought one step further by considering Paul's words at Colossians 2:10 which says:
"And so you are possessed of a fullness by means of him, who is the head of ALL GOVERNMENT AND AUTHORITY."
Now above, what exactly did Paul say was Jesus' official position toward
"ALL government and authority," as of the first century?
Again, this is another verse found in the Greek text that the Watchtower
Society does not spend a lot of time, actually explaining. The reason
why is obvious. This verse clearly shows Jesus had already gained
Heavenly Authority over "all governments and
authority"...universally-speaking...as of the first century. Think about
it.
Then too, let's consider Paul's words at Ephesians 1:20-23 which says:
"with which he has operated in the case of the Christ when he raised him
up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly
places, far above every government and authority and power and lordship
and every name named, not only in this system of things, but also in
that to come. He also subjected all things under his feet, and made him
head over all things to the congregation, which is his body, the
fullness of him who fills up all things in all."
In the above verses, Paul used several verbs that are in the past tense,
showing Jesus was already enthroned as king, or placed “over all
things” in the first century. For instance, in Verses 20 & 21, Paul
said Jehovah had already “SEATED [or enthroned] him at his right hand
far above EVERY GOVERNMENT and authority and power…” Thus, Jesus was
placed far above “every government” or earthly “authority” immediately
upon his resurrection to heaven. Also in Verse 22, Paul said God had
already “SUBJECTED [past tense] all things under his feet and M [past
tense] him HEAD OVER ALL THINGS to the congregation." Moreover, Paul
tells us exactly when this occurred when he specifically says "IN THIS
system of things," or during Paul’s day. Clearly, all of this had taken
place during the time Paul and the Ephesians were living, and not later.
Therefore, we must conclude inescapably, the heavenly enthronement and
exaltation of Jesus, had been completed before this letter was written,
and yes, CENTURIES BEFORE the date of 1914.
Now, where is the mystery of any LACK of "authority" given to Jesus,
after his resurrection to heavenly life in the first century? Actually,
there is none. Does not the above verses show the plain fact that Jesus
Christ has been given complete "authority" over "every government,"
every "authority and power," and every "lordship?" Isn't that true?
Indeed, at Matthew 28:18 Jesus himself speaks of his complete "authority" by saying plainly:
**"...**ALL AUTHORITY has been given me in heaven and on the earth."
So if God's Word says Jesus was given "all authority" by Jehovah, after
his resurrection from the dead, then all Jehovah's Witnesses must ask
themselves the all-important question, what possible "authority" over
any human "governments" could be given to Jesus Christ in the year of
1914?
Think about it.
Therefore we as teachers of God's Word, must humbly accept the plain
fact Jesus was already, yes already the "head" of every "government,"
"authority," "power," and "lordship" already, as of the first century at
his resurrection...pure and simple. This clearly the way first century Christians saw the matter. And if this is the case, then there
is simply nothing, no nothing, by way of kingdom "authority" that can
be given Jesus Christ, at this late stage of the game, as of the year of
1914, or ANY OTHER LATER DATE.
No, nothing!
Therefore, anyone who would teach otherwise in the face of the
scriptures cited above, would have to be considered grossly incompetent
teachers of God's Word, and completely ignorant of the fact first
century Christians publicly taught Jesus was ALREADY, yes already the
appointed "Ruler of the kings of the earth." -- See Revelation 1:5.
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