The Authority of Jesus Christ

All authority in heaven and on earth is from God the Father. Angels, demons, men, and institutions receive whatever authority they possess from the Almighty, who is sovereign over all (Ps 115:3; 135:6). Thus, no power or authority can exceed the limitations placed upon it. This includes the period and scope of that exercise, all designed to fulfill the eternal purpose of God (Eph 3:11).

As Christians, we are to submit to the authority of governments, which are all established by God (Rom 13). Christians are to submit to parents, wives to husbands, and husbands as those under the authority of Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph 5:21–25). It is Christ who showed us all how we should live in subjugation to those in authority over us, as He perfectly obeyed God His Father (Jn 8:29; Heb 4:15).

The economy of the Trinity reveals to us the perfections of all of God’s attributes and the position we are designed to occupy. With the Spirit of Christ living in our hearts (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11), we learn Christ as the Spirit teaches us God’s Word (Jn 14:26; 2 Pet 3:18). In being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29), who is the icon of God (Col 1:15), we witness the work of God the Spirit executing the will and good pleasure of God, according to His eternal decree (Phil 2:13).

Humanity is in sinful rebellion against Yahweh, the God of Israel (Rom 3:23; 5:12). Every authority of man is therefore flawed because of sin and Satan. The whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 Jn 5:19). This perverse generation, as those in every evil age, is marked by corrupt authority (Acts 2:40; Phil 2:15). This is God’s ongoing tutorial of how His authority, delegated to Jesus Christ, is superior.

Jesus taught with authority (Mt 7:29). He claimed to authority to forgive sins — a work the Jews knew belongs to God, alone (Mt 9:6; Mk 2:7). Jesus displayed authority to heal the diverse maladies of men, along with jurisdiction over the elements of nature (Lk 8:23–25). Our Lord exercised dominion over demons and delegated that authority to His disciples (Mt 10:1; Lk 4:41; 9:1).

Jesus claimed all authority in heaven and on earth were given to Him (Mt 28:18). With authority, Jesus laid down His life and took it up again in the resurrection (Jn 10:18). Then, after ascending to heaven, Jesus was enthroned at the right hand of majesty (Heb 1:3; 8:1), the right hand of the Father. His position is eternal. His authority is forever (2 Sam 7:16; Is 9:7; Dan 2:44; 4:34).

Christ’s church, the kingdom of God on earth and in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17), is the embassy of heaven on earth, with ambassadors of Christ given authority to proclaim the defeat of abusive, corrupt authority at the cross, where Jesus died (2 Cor 5:20). Jesus claimed, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30), when triumphed over all the enemies of God (2 Cor 2:14; Col 2:15).

The chief priests and elders of Israel wanted to know by what authority Jesus performed all His good works and preached the kingdom of God (Mt 21:23). Pontius Pilate played god in the face of Jesus, claiming the authority to take or to preserve Jesus’ life (Jn 19:11).

Reprobates despise the authority of God and Christ; hence, today, they know the Gospel message of Jesus’ kingdom authority, His dominion over all the earth (1 Tim 6:16; 1 Pet 4:11; Jude 1:25; Rev 1:6). They persist in their evil deeds because they were made by God for the day of evil (Prv 16:4). They are vessels of wrath prepared for destruction (Rom 9:22).

Despising and rejecting authority at every ordained level, beginning with children obeying parents, the lawless libertines are empowered by institutions hell-bent on leading the blind into the pit (Mt 15:14), joining their father the devil and his angels forever in the lake of fire (Jn 8:44; Rev 20:14–15). Knowing their end, we preach and persuade all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). We are to pray for those in authority over us, as we submit as good citizens to them.

Christian, remember that Jesus has had authority before all time (Jude 1:25). He has it, today, and it is His forever. Jesus is seated on the throne, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named in this age and in the world to come (Eph 1:21).

As our Lord in glory, we serve only to build up the saints in the times and epochs fixed by the Father’s authority (Acts 1:7). There is a dark day on the horizon of time when the dragon (Satan) will meet his end, when Jesus abolishes all rule and authority and power (1 Cor 15:24).

In the final battle, the ultimate corruption, defilement, blasphemy, and abuse of authority will be on global display, when the Beast (Antichrist) wars with saints and overcomes them, securing authority over everyone in the world, forcing them to worship him, under the allegiance of ten kings (Rev 13). The restrainer of evil will be removed; and under the wrath of God (Rom 1:18; 1 Thess 1:10), the world in global rebellion will be judged (Rev 19:11–21).

Do not fear little flock…our Deliverer is coming…with salvation and power and glory and majesty and dominion and authority before all time…now…and forever…even so come, Lord Jesus. Let your kingdom come; and the bride says, “Come” and the Spirit says, “Come” (Rev 22:17). Reign over us and be glorified!

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

October 6, 2024

John 17:2a