The Crucified Messiah

The Book of Revelation assures the beleaguered congregations of Asia that Jesus reigns and has events firmly in hand despite appearances and the hostility from their neighbors and even local governments. His sovereignty is based on his past death and resurrection, and the latter marked the commencement of his reign from the messianic Throne at the center of the Cosmos.

Jesus is called the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth ” in the present tense in the Book of Revelation . His sovereignty is based on his past death and resurrection, NOT on hereditary rights or military might, and he reigns on the Throne at the center of the Universe. Though at times the “ Kings of the Earth ” do Satan’s bidding, the slain “ Lamb ” even uses their plots to achieve his own redemptive purposes for humanity and the Creation itself.

When certain “ super-apostles ” began undermining his authority, the Apostle Paul warned the Assembly in Corinth not to heed anyone who “ proclaimed another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or a different spirit, or a different Gospel .” He pointed to the same Jesus that he first proclaimed, the “ Crucified Messiah ,” the Jesus who is the measuring rod against which all other messianic claimants must be evaluated.

The death and exaltation of Jesus are inextricably linked in the Book of Revelation . The Divine plan to redeem humanity and the Creation itself is unveiled in its visions, and the death, resurrection, and enthronement of the Son put this plan into action. His sovereignty is the result of his faithful obedience unto death. However, he is no tyrant. He does not subjugate his enemies through violence. Instead, he “ shepherds the nations ” and purchases men from every “ tribe and people and tongue ” through his shed blood.

John saw Jesus as the sacrificial “ Lamb ” in the central vision of  Revelation , the one whose shed blood purchased men from every nation. Because he gave his life to redeem humanity, all Creation proclaimed him “ worthy ” to open the “ Sealed Scroll ” and receive absolute sovereignty. His reign began when the “ Lamb ” took possession of the Scroll and began to open its “ Seven Seals .”