The Crucified Messiah

El Nuevo Testamento aplica las promesas mesiánicas de la Biblia Hebrea al reinado actual de Jesús. Él es Cristo el Rey . ¡Cristo es Rey! Desde su ascensión, Jesús ha reinado como Rey. Él está sentado en el Trono mesiánico de David y gobierna desde la diestra de Dios. Debido a su “ obediencia hasta la muerte ”, el hombre del pequeño pueblo de Nazaret se ha convertido en “ Gobernante de los Reyes de la Tierra ” - (Mateo 28: 18-20).

The New Testament applies messianic promises from the Hebrew Bible to the present reign of Jesus. He is Christ the King! Christus Rex – Christ is King! Ever since his ascension, Jesus has reigned as King. He is seated on the Messianic Throne of David and rules from the right hand of God. Because of his “ obedience until death ,” the man from the small village of Nazareth has become “ the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth ” – (Matthew 28:18-20).

Humanity is divided into two and only two groups – the followers of the Lamb and the subjects of the Beast . In the Book of Revelation , every man either “ Tabernacles in Heaven ” or is an “ Inhabitant of the Earth .” The terms are not geographical or spatial. They identify which Master we serve. Men either belong to “ Heaven ” or the “ Earth .” Those who follow the Lamb, “ Tabernacle in Heaven .” The “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” submit to the “ Dragon ” and his “ Beast ,” and therefore await a grim fate.

La humanidad está dividida en dos y solo dos grupos: los seguidores del Cordero y los súbditos de la Bestia . En el Libro de Apocalipsis , todo hombre “ habita en los Cielos ” o es un “ Habitante de la Tierra ”. Los términos no son geográficos ni espaciales. Estas categorías identifican a qué Señor servimos. Los hombres pertenecen al “ Cielo ” o a “ la Tierra ”. Los que siguen al Cordero “ Tabernáculo en el Cielo .” Los “ Habitantes de la Tierra ” se someten al “ Dragón ” y a su “ Bestia ” y, por lo tanto, esperan un destino sombrío.

Following Jesus means a life of self-denial and service, and a willingness to suffer persecution and loss for his sake . Rage and retaliation are inappropriate reactions to hostility by disciples of Jesus. His instructions about this certainly are contrary to the “ wisdom of this age ” and human experience. Nevertheless, responding in anger to violations of our political, civil, and individual “rights” only demonstrates how far we have strayed from his teachings and examples, especially his sacrificial death on the Cross for friend and foe alike.