Jesus Reigns Upon Two Thrones.
By F. M. Bragg
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev. iii, 21. Paul in his epistle to the Hebrews, says, "We have such an High Priest who is set down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the Sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man." Heb. viii, 1. In Zech. vi, 12, 13 is brought to view the united reign of the BRANCH (Christ) and the LORD (the Father) on the Father's throne. "The counsel of peace shall be between them both." Verse 13. That this united reign of Christ and the Father commenced with Christ's ascension to the heavenly Sanctuary, and closes with his priestly office, is clearly brought to view in Jesus' promise and Paul's testimonies. Heb. viii, 1; 1 Cor. xv, 24-28. "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule and all authority, and power." Verse 24. The kingdom which Christ is to deliver up to the Father just before his second coming, evidently is the kingdom in which his priestly reign is accomplished, in union with his Father on the Father's throne, during which time God, the Father, is subduing the wicked unto Christ. "And when all things are subdued unto him then shall the Son himself be subject unto him (the Father) that put all things under him that God may be all in all." Verse 28. There is but one kingdom which Christ can deliver to the Father prior to his appearing and kingdom. David says in Ps. ciii, 19, "The LORD (the Father) hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom ruleth over all." Again in Ps. cx, "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Paul says he is at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. And sixty-five years after the crucifixion Jesus says, "I am set down with my Father in his throne." And the testimony shows that Christ remains there while the Father is subduing Christ's enemies under Christ's feet. "And when all things are subdued unto him then shall the Son himself be subject unto him (the Father) that put all things under him (Christ) that God may be all in all." Verse 28. The kingdom which Christ delivers up to the Father cannot be his own kingdom, for "of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke i, 33. If he were to deliver up his own kingdom there is a point of time when Christ's kingdom terminates. But the Scriptures plainly teach that Christ is to take his own kingdom, or throne, and reign forever and ever. "Of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke xxii, 29. Jesus' reign in union with his Father in the Father's kingdom is co-existent with his priestly ministration in the heavenly Sanctuary. When he has finished his priestly work, leaves the heavenly Sanctuary, he delivers up the Father's kingdom, takes his own throne in the heavenly Jerusalem, the capital of his kingdom. Thus the marriage is consummated between Christ and the New Jerusalem, (our Mother,) and he comes from the wedding to receive his children. We must be "like unto men who wait for their Lord when he shall return from the wedding." Luke xii, 36. He comes King of kings and Lord of lords, [Rom. xix, 15; xvii, 14,] to rule his enemies with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces," &c. Therefore he receives his authority as King, his own kingdom, or throne, before he comes to gather the subjects of that kingdom and destroy those who would not have this man to rule over them. A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return, and it came to pass when he was returned, having received the kingdom, &c. Luke xix, 12. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you, and will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also." John xiv, 3. "Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterwards." John xiii, 36. "A little while and ye shall not see me, and again a little while and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." John xvi, 16. Paul says, "Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them (that sleep) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. iv, 17. Matthew testifies, that immediately after the destruction of the wicked, "Then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of their Father." Matt. xiii, 43. The length of time they are to remain in the kingdom of God, is another part of the subject and determined by other testimony. That Christ reigns in his Father's throne through the gospel dispensation, or his priestly ministration, there is clear and positive evidence. Also that during this time of mercy, God, the Father is subduing the enemies of Christ unto Christ. And when they are made subject unto him, they are given into his hands for destruction. There is a plain distinction175made between the subduing by God, during Christ's ministration, and the destruction by Jesus at his second appearing. It is a solemn thought that we are rapidly hastening to the decisive moment, from which there is no change. Soon Jesus has finished his work of mercy forever. The Angel that now hears us warning will then cease to entreat. Who will be able to stand when there is no mediator? They only who have clean hands and pure hearts! That these solemn truths may sink into my heart and lead me to overcome every wrong, that I may be permitted to sit with Jesus in his throne, as he overcame, and is set down with his Father in his throne, is my earnest prayer.
F. M. Bragg.
Cambridge, Wis.