Drum roll please! The curtain opens; the audience rises; the coronation is about to begin.
We have been looking at the great cosmic drama through the lens of the angelic audience as depicted in Eph. 3:10. The Son of God has been revealed in:
- Act 1: The Incarnation
- Act 2: The Demonstration
- Act 3: The Crucifixion
- Act 4: The Resurrection
- Act 5: The Ascension
Now we begin Act 6 The Coronation
The angels marveled as they witnessed the expanding revelation of the wisdom of God. They saw the Son of God invade human history and through that drama, many of the multi-faceted aspects of God’s nature were revealed in a whole new way. Aspects they had not seen before were observed through the personal experiences of God’s family of faith. The angels responded with adoration, worship, and praise.
At the ascension several historic events took place. One is that the Son of God returned to heaven as the eternal God/man to be forever linked to humanity. Another is that out of His love for His redeemed family, Christ became their High Priest and sent His own Spirit to dwell in each one providing power as well as the down payment on their vast inheritance.
But wait; there is more! The curtain has opened for Act 6: His coronation. The audience stands in awe as the ascended Christ steps into the spotlight of heaven and takes His seat of authority with the Father. He is given authority over the cosmos and all the powers and entities it contains.
This may not be a big deal to us, but it was in heaven. It was this preeminent role that Jesus casually referred to when He gave the eleven apostles the “Great Commission” (Matt. 28:18-20). It is this defining moment that the New Testament writers refer to when they admonish Christ followers to live according to the new kingdom. The common phrase of the coronation of Christ is “He sat down at the Father’s right hand”. The term does not imply inaction but rather divine authority.
The ultimate plan of God is revealed in which “He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:20-21 NASB).
Jesus, the Christ is now the Lord/King. It was the Kingship of Christ that permeated the message of the gospel from the very beginning days in Jerusalem. Peter in his initial sermon said, “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, … let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ–this Jesus whom you crucified” (Act 2:32-36 NASB).
Paul states the application of this truth. “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:1-3 NASB).
As the Son of God returns to the heavens and takes control, the angelic audience rejoices. Never doubting His power or authority they now see His leadership through a clearer lens of grace, mercy, and love. While they are taking it all in, they are also perplexed…baffled at the response of the family of faith on earth. Confused at their casual indifference to the King and his kingdom.
They cannot understand why this new family of faith, having been given a new birth certificate (born into God’s family) and a new passport (citizens of Christ’s kingdom), live as though they are still trapped in the domain of darkness. Don’t they know who they now are? Don’t they realize that their permanent address has changed, that their home country is now the kingdom? Don’t they understand that when they stand before God, He will not ask them, “Why should I let you into my kingdom?” But rather He will simply look at their passport and say, “Welcome home”. The crucifixion and resurrection guarantees their new birth certificate and the ascension and coronation guarantees their new passport.
Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father. The Servant has become King…the Lamb the Lion. The kingdom is firmly established and hope is guaranteed. The Church has a Head and everything in heaven and earth is subject to Him…forever. Although His rule is currently invisible on planet earth, it is very real both in the heavens and in the hearts of His Family. But the day is coming when what is hidden will become visible, what is hope will become tangible, and what has been promised will be delivered.