The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Ruler, #19

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

We understand from the second chapter of the Book of Revelation that the overcomer will be given authority over the nations, to rule them with a rod of iron. Authority to rule the nations was issued to Christ in the second Psalm. The rod of iron is the eternal, universal might of the Holy Spirit of God.

But it is always the rule of the Son in the sons, and God in Him. This is a critical truth of the Kingdom of God. It must be emphasized again and again.

The Lord God of Heaven never will give His glory to another person. True rulership will be assigned to us only as Christ is formed in us. As long as King Self is on the throne of our life in any area we are not eligible to rule with God.

As long as King Self is on the throne of any area of our personality we have not attained the first resurrection from the dead. The first resurrection from the dead is for the purpose of installing Christ, and those in whom Christ is ruling, on the spiritual thrones governing the earth.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: . . . . (Revelation 20:4)

The present-day aspect of the first resurrection from the dead is the transfer of the governing power in our personality from King Self to King Jesus Christ. Paul's statements in Philippians 3:8-14 have to do with the transfer of inner government and the resulting attainment to the resurrection that is unto life.

We humans tend to rule in self-seeking and harshness without due concern for those who are being ruled. But Christ rules us by filling us with His body and blood. Christ rules people by giving His Life to them in sacrificial love.

The same thing must become true of the members of the Body of Christ. We never will be allowed to rule the nations of the earth until our hearts have been broken in sacrificial love for the persons being ruled by us. God the Father will permit nothing less than this. God is love. In order to rule His creatures on an eternal basis we must be filled with sacrificial love—the love that proceeds only from God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:26)

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (John 15:9)

And her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. (Revelation 12:5)

Christ is established eternally at the right hand of God the Father. All that is born of Christ, as soon as it is born of Christ, ascends in the Holy Spirit to the throne of God in Heaven.

To be continued.