The Start of Jesus' Heavenly Reign & 1 Corinthians 15:25
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 7:38 pm
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To all concerned with this topic … Greetings!
Question for all:
1 Corinthians 15:25 says:
“For he must rule as king until [God] has put all enemies under his feet.”
In your mind, does this verse mean . . . either,
(a) Jesus will rule or reign (for an undisclosed period of time over the earth) and his heavenly rule or reign will continue UNTIL… UNTIL “God puts all enemies under his feet”?
This is how many religious people of the world see the fulfillment of 1 Corinthians 15:25 actually occurs. Having this viewpoint, allows for them to believe Jesus has been ruling or reigning ever since his resurrection, in the first century…when he was allowed to “sit” right beside Jehovah on His Glorious Throne, upon his return to heavenly life in great glory. — Please see Psalms 110:1; Ephesians 1:20-22; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3, 4.
In this instance as mentioned above, Philippians 2:9-11 tells us Jesus has uniquely “been exalted to a superior position” where, “every knee should bow” to him … that is “in heaven and upon earth.” But, are they bowing to an established “king,” or only a promised “king,” which, I ask? Are the angels in heaven, allowed to “bow” to a promised “king,” and not an established “king” in Jehovah’s Name, I ask? If the angels in heaven, would “bow” to a non-established “king” for God, wouldn’t that possibly be considered … idolatry? Why, are they [angels] allowed to do this, I ask?
Anyway, at Luke 19:37-40, did not the people of his day, actually believe the message of the disciples of Jesus, amazingly included the fact that Jesus was a “king,” in fact, an already appointed “king” coming in “Jehovah’s Name”? Which of course, would automatically explain why Jesus point-blank said to his disciples, that he was going to come back and KILL, yes, DESTROY all those of his day that absolutely refused to accept him as God’s Appointed “King,” those specific individuals who rejected him as “king,” while he was on earth? Did he [Jesus] not say this to his disciples in Luke 19:27?
Also considering Philippians 2:9-11, are we to think the governmental “rulers” of this world included in this situation, of “bowing down” to Jesus? Should “every knee” including governmental figures of this earth, must they also, “bow” to Jesus, according to this verse, I ask? Would they also be included in the “every knee must bow down” to Jesus situation that Paul speaks of at Philippians 2:9-11, I ask?
Then too, let’s take another verse which curiously surfaces for consideration on this dramatic topic, namely Revelation 1:5.
That verse tells us, Jesus is Jehovah’s established, designated “Ruler of the kings of the earth,” does it not? So, does Jesus ALREADY HAVE this glorious position ABOVE the “kings of the earth,” or does this situation occur for him, only in the future … which?
Or by contrast, do we personally believe, again using the exact same verse, that 1 Corinthians 15:25 teaches us,
(b) Jesus is NOT PRESENTLY RULING in the heavens, but will only START or BEGIN his heavenly rule or reign only when God again, “… puts all enemies under his feet,“ just prior to (or at some time just before that event, like 1914 or other time) still before Armageddon, still in our distant future?
Which viewpoint do you personally favor, (a) or (b)?
As we all know, the Watchtower Society prefers the latter viewpoint, point (b) citing Hebrews 10:12, 13 to prove their point. They teach, according to this verse, Jesus is “waiting” … “waiting” to rule, which means the “putting of his enemies under his feet” by God then, actually STARTS … STARTS his rule or reign. Is that what you believe?
Myself, I personally favor the first viewpoint…point (a).
I personally believe Jesus can rule from heaven, and can continue that rule up UNTIL … UNTIL, as the verse says, “God puts all enemies” of unrighteousness, “under his feet,“ completely, and everlastingly. (Psalms 110:1, 2) And then, when Jesus’ heavenly rule ends, he then “hands the kingdom” rule back to his Heavenly Father, Jehovah and relinquishes this power. (1 Corinthians 15:24)
This of course, then could possibly mean, Jesus began his heavenly rule, yes he started it, when he was allowed to “sit upon God’s throne,“ in the first century at his resurrection. (Psalms 110:1)
Which also means, when Jesus was allowed by Jehovah to BEGIN his heavenly rule, there will NOT … NOT be “righteous” conditions prevailing upon the earth. He “rules“ [as just about every translation in the world says], or “goes subduing“ [only the New World Translation, it seems] … “in the midst of his enemies,” in fact. (See Psalms 110:2.) In fact to me, this is an interesting, very unique rendering in the Watchtower Society’s bible, of namely Psalms 110:2. Why do I say this?
Well if one checks, he finds almost every other bible scholar ON EARTH, continually renders Psalms 110:2 as Jesus “rules,” … he “rules” they say, instead of saying he “goes subduing,” as the Watchtower Society does. I wonder why? Is there something we are missing here, that the Watchtower Society is trying to hide from all Jehovah’s Witnesses? I wonder, could that be possible.
Please notice this fact about the numerous eminent bible scholars and translations of the bible, who continually render Psalms 110:2 as saying, the Messiah “RULES” instead of Jesus “goes subduing” in the “midst of his enemies,” like it is rendered uniquely in the New World Translation. I find that a curious fact. Which automatically allows for the fact that Jesus could actually “sit upon God’s Throne,” and while “sitting” right beside Jehovah, he is only allowed to “subdue” people, and that for close to 2,000 years, without actually “ruling” or “reigning” over people, from the heavens in a official capacity.. — See 1 Peter 3:22.
The start of Jesus' Heavenly Reign & 1 Corinthians 15:25.
Which means, Jesus is allowed to only “subdue” people for close to 2,000 years, from the first century up to the year of 1914, and then, and only then, he can assume his official role and capacity of heavenly “kingship” or “rulership” in the fateful year of 1914, according to the Watchtower Society uniquely and exclusively. If one adopts this viewpoint of as the Watchtower Society has, then it strangely clashes with what Jesus said about his “authority” at Matthew 28:18. I found as a baptized Jehovah’s Witness myself, calling the writing department at Bethel, on this very matter, seeking clarification, while I was pioneering. It just never made sense to me.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Anyway, please see this link showing numerous bible translations demonstrating this fact, thus revealing this curious change or adjustment made in the New World Translation. http://biblehub.com/psalms/110-2.htm
Continuing this thought, that Jesus “rules” in heaven, “in the midst of his enemies,” amidst total unrighteousness on earth, we notice this verse, [I will put my comments in here, by way of brackets.]
“All things you subjected [past tense, like in the first century] under his feet. For in that he subjected all things to him [past tense, like in the first century] God left nothing that is not subject to him [Jesus, in the first century]. Now, though, we do not yet see all things in subjection to him [total unrighteousness on earth].” — See Hebrews 2:8.
I believe from that inspired statement above, Paul (and first century Christians) actually believed Jesus was already “ruling” or “reigning” as king over the earth, even though righteousness [on earth] was NOT prevailing upon it, at that time in the first century.
Think about it.
Written by: Donald C. Burney
***
To all concerned with this topic … Greetings!
Question for all:
1 Corinthians 15:25 says:
“For he must rule as king until [God] has put all enemies under his feet.”
In your mind, does this verse mean . . . either,
(a) Jesus will rule or reign (for an undisclosed period of time over the earth) and his heavenly rule or reign will continue UNTIL… UNTIL “God puts all enemies under his feet”?
This is how many religious people of the world see the fulfillment of 1 Corinthians 15:25 actually occurs. Having this viewpoint, allows for them to believe Jesus has been ruling or reigning ever since his resurrection, in the first century…when he was allowed to “sit” right beside Jehovah on His Glorious Throne, upon his return to heavenly life in great glory. — Please see Psalms 110:1; Ephesians 1:20-22; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3, 4.
In this instance as mentioned above, Philippians 2:9-11 tells us Jesus has uniquely “been exalted to a superior position” where, “every knee should bow” to him … that is “in heaven and upon earth.” But, are they bowing to an established “king,” or only a promised “king,” which, I ask? Are the angels in heaven, allowed to “bow” to a promised “king,” and not an established “king” in Jehovah’s Name, I ask? If the angels in heaven, would “bow” to a non-established “king” for God, wouldn’t that possibly be considered … idolatry? Why, are they [angels] allowed to do this, I ask?
Anyway, at Luke 19:37-40, did not the people of his day, actually believe the message of the disciples of Jesus, amazingly included the fact that Jesus was a “king,” in fact, an already appointed “king” coming in “Jehovah’s Name”? Which of course, would automatically explain why Jesus point-blank said to his disciples, that he was going to come back and KILL, yes, DESTROY all those of his day that absolutely refused to accept him as God’s Appointed “King,” those specific individuals who rejected him as “king,” while he was on earth? Did he [Jesus] not say this to his disciples in Luke 19:27?
Also considering Philippians 2:9-11, are we to think the governmental “rulers” of this world included in this situation, of “bowing down” to Jesus? Should “every knee” including governmental figures of this earth, must they also, “bow” to Jesus, according to this verse, I ask? Would they also be included in the “every knee must bow down” to Jesus situation that Paul speaks of at Philippians 2:9-11, I ask?
Then too, let’s take another verse which curiously surfaces for consideration on this dramatic topic, namely Revelation 1:5.
That verse tells us, Jesus is Jehovah’s established, designated “Ruler of the kings of the earth,” does it not? So, does Jesus ALREADY HAVE this glorious position ABOVE the “kings of the earth,” or does this situation occur for him, only in the future … which?
Or by contrast, do we personally believe, again using the exact same verse, that 1 Corinthians 15:25 teaches us,
(b) Jesus is NOT PRESENTLY RULING in the heavens, but will only START or BEGIN his heavenly rule or reign only when God again, “… puts all enemies under his feet,“ just prior to (or at some time just before that event, like 1914 or other time) still before Armageddon, still in our distant future?
Which viewpoint do you personally favor, (a) or (b)?
As we all know, the Watchtower Society prefers the latter viewpoint, point (b) citing Hebrews 10:12, 13 to prove their point. They teach, according to this verse, Jesus is “waiting” … “waiting” to rule, which means the “putting of his enemies under his feet” by God then, actually STARTS … STARTS his rule or reign. Is that what you believe?
Myself, I personally favor the first viewpoint…point (a).
I personally believe Jesus can rule from heaven, and can continue that rule up UNTIL … UNTIL, as the verse says, “God puts all enemies” of unrighteousness, “under his feet,“ completely, and everlastingly. (Psalms 110:1, 2) And then, when Jesus’ heavenly rule ends, he then “hands the kingdom” rule back to his Heavenly Father, Jehovah and relinquishes this power. (1 Corinthians 15:24)
This of course, then could possibly mean, Jesus began his heavenly rule, yes he started it, when he was allowed to “sit upon God’s throne,“ in the first century at his resurrection. (Psalms 110:1)
Which also means, when Jesus was allowed by Jehovah to BEGIN his heavenly rule, there will NOT … NOT be “righteous” conditions prevailing upon the earth. He “rules“ [as just about every translation in the world says], or “goes subduing“ [only the New World Translation, it seems] … “in the midst of his enemies,” in fact. (See Psalms 110:2.) In fact to me, this is an interesting, very unique rendering in the Watchtower Society’s bible, of namely Psalms 110:2. Why do I say this?
Well if one checks, he finds almost every other bible scholar ON EARTH, continually renders Psalms 110:2 as Jesus “rules,” … he “rules” they say, instead of saying he “goes subduing,” as the Watchtower Society does. I wonder why? Is there something we are missing here, that the Watchtower Society is trying to hide from all Jehovah’s Witnesses? I wonder, could that be possible.
Please notice this fact about the numerous eminent bible scholars and translations of the bible, who continually render Psalms 110:2 as saying, the Messiah “RULES” instead of Jesus “goes subduing” in the “midst of his enemies,” like it is rendered uniquely in the New World Translation. I find that a curious fact. Which automatically allows for the fact that Jesus could actually “sit upon God’s Throne,” and while “sitting” right beside Jehovah, he is only allowed to “subdue” people, and that for close to 2,000 years, without actually “ruling” or “reigning” over people, from the heavens in a official capacity.. — See 1 Peter 3:22.
The start of Jesus' Heavenly Reign & 1 Corinthians 15:25.
Which means, Jesus is allowed to only “subdue” people for close to 2,000 years, from the first century up to the year of 1914, and then, and only then, he can assume his official role and capacity of heavenly “kingship” or “rulership” in the fateful year of 1914, according to the Watchtower Society uniquely and exclusively. If one adopts this viewpoint of as the Watchtower Society has, then it strangely clashes with what Jesus said about his “authority” at Matthew 28:18. I found as a baptized Jehovah’s Witness myself, calling the writing department at Bethel, on this very matter, seeking clarification, while I was pioneering. It just never made sense to me.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Anyway, please see this link showing numerous bible translations demonstrating this fact, thus revealing this curious change or adjustment made in the New World Translation. http://biblehub.com/psalms/110-2.htm
Continuing this thought, that Jesus “rules” in heaven, “in the midst of his enemies,” amidst total unrighteousness on earth, we notice this verse, [I will put my comments in here, by way of brackets.]
“All things you subjected [past tense, like in the first century] under his feet. For in that he subjected all things to him [past tense, like in the first century] God left nothing that is not subject to him [Jesus, in the first century]. Now, though, we do not yet see all things in subjection to him [total unrighteousness on earth].” — See Hebrews 2:8.
I believe from that inspired statement above, Paul (and first century Christians) actually believed Jesus was already “ruling” or “reigning” as king over the earth, even though righteousness [on earth] was NOT prevailing upon it, at that time in the first century.
Think about it.
Written by: Donald C. Burney
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