Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. (Matthew 28:18)
For this very reason, God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, 10 so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground— 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
What did Jesus mean when he said, shortly after his resurrection, all authority had been given him? Did this include kingly authority or was his statement not as broad as it appears? What, shortly after his resurrection, was the superior position kindly given him? Did this involve rulership of some kind? If not, why would every knee bend in open acknowledgement of him? Just what did Jesus lordship encompass?
What Did Jesus Lordship Encompass?
In answer to the last question, past articles in the Watchtower have stated that his authority was over the Christian congregation. For example:[1]
In the following video, governing body member Gerrit Losch explains Colossians 1:13:
Another scripture used by the Watchtower society to support the idea that the extent of Jesus rulership was limited to the Christian congregation is Ephesians chapter 1:
The October 1995 issue of the Watchtower explained:
“Jehovah is both King and Judge. What of Jesus? The angel announcing his birth said: “Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, . . . and there will be no end of his kingdom.” (Luke 1:32, 33) Jesus would be permanent heir of the Davidic kingship. (2 Samuel 7:12-16) He would rule from heaven, for David said: “The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord [Jesus] is: ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.’ The rod of your strength Jehovah will send out of Zion, saying: ‘Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.’”—Psalm 110:1-4.
14 When would that be? Jesus did not rule as King while a human. (John 18:33-37) In 33 C.E., he died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven. Hebrews 10:12 says: “This man offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God.” What authority did Jesus have? “[God] seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above every government and authority and power and lordship . . . and made him head over all things to the congregation.” (Ephesians 1:20-22) Because Jesus then had kingly authority over Christians, Paul could write that Jehovah “delivered us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.”—Colossians 1:13; 3:1.
15 At that time, however, Jesus did not act as King and Judge over the nations. He was seated next to God, awaiting the time to act as King of God’s Kingdom. Paul wrote of him: “With reference to which one of the angels has he ever said: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet’?”—Hebrews 1:13. (The Watchtower October 15, 1995 pgs. 20-21)
Paragraph 4 makes the statement that Jesus did not rule as king while a human and then cites John 18:33-37 as proof:
So Pilate entered the governor’s residence again and called Jesus and said to him: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered: “Are you asking this of your own originality, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied: “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What did you do?” Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” So Pilate said to him: “Well, then, are you a king?” Jesus answered: “You yourself are saying that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:33-37)
When asked by Pilate “are you a king?”, if the answer was no, as the Watchtower claims, it would have been important for Jesus to say so. Especially since this was the main charge brought by the Jews in order to have the Romans put him to death. Yet how did he respond? That Pilate understood Jesus’ answer to be yes is shown by what he does later on:
Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews: “See! Your king!” (John 19:14) Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the torture stake. It was written: “Jesus the Naz·a·reneʹ the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19) However, the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered: “What I have written, I have written.” (John 19:21, 22)
There are many other scriptural statements showing that his followers understood him to be king :
Na·thanʹa·el responded: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are King of Israel.” (John 1:49) So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, and they began to shout: “Save, we pray you! Blessed is the one who comes in Jehovah’s name, the King of Israel!” (John 12:13) “Have no fear, daughter of Zion. Look! Your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:15)
However, he refused efforts of the people to seize him and make him king:
Then Jesus, knowing that they were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain all alone. (John 6:15)
Of this account, F.F. Bruce comments:
Their attempt to make him king does not necessarily mean that they recognized him as the Messiah of David’s line…
Jesus had already shown his power to banish disease; now he had shown his power to banish hunger. If only he would show his power to secure his people’s liberation, nothing could stand in his way. Here, surely, was the leader for whom they had been waiting; with him as their captain and their king, victory and freedom were as good as won! If he would not take the initiative and present himself to them as their leader, they would compel him to do so. But Jesus recognized in their action a recurrence of one of his wilderness temptations. He knew that this was not the way in which he was to fulfill the Father’s will and win deliverance for his people. (F. F. Bruce The Gospel & Epistles of John pg 146-147)
Hence, this account should not be taken as a denial of being the Son of God, the foretold Messiah, the King of Israel. His kingdom, however, was not political but spiritual.
A close examination of Ephesians 1:20-23 clearly indicates that Paul understood Jesus’ authority over his anointed followers to be included in all the authority given to him, not limited to it:
which he exercised toward Christ when he raised him up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named, not only in this system of things but also in that to come. 22 He also subjected all things under his feet and made him head over all things with regard to the congregation, (Ephesians 1:20-22)
Paul makes a similar point in writing to the Hebrews:
All things you subjected under his feet. By subjecting all things to him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Now, though, we do not yet see all things in subjection to him. (Heb. 2:8)
Interestingly, the apostle John in the beginning of the book of Revelation describes Jesus as the ruler of the kings of the earth.
and from Jesus Christ, “the Faithful Witness,” “the firstborn from the dead,” and “the Ruler of the kings of the earth.” To him who loves us and who set us free from our sins by means of his own blood— (Revelation 1:5)
This description of Jesus is found before John even sees his first vision and reports that he came to be in the lord’s day.
By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet, (Revelation 1:10)
When does the society claim the Lord’s day began? This is explained in the Revelation Climax book:
4 Hence, this first vision and the counsel it contains are for the Lord’s day, from 1914 onward… (Revelation-Its Grand Climax at Hand pg. 24 par. 4)
However, it was also explained that his lordship extends beyond just the Christian congregation:
“Following his resurrection, Jesus informed his disciples, “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth,” thereby showing that he heads a government of universal domain. (Mt 28:18) The apostle Paul made clear that Jesus’ Father has “left nothing that is not subject to him [Jesus],” with the evident exception of “the one who subjected all things to him,” that is, Jehovah, the Sovereign God. (1Co 15:27; Heb 1:1-14; 2:8) Jesus Christ’s “name,” therefore, is more excellent than that of God’s angels, in that his name embraces or stands for the vast executive authority that Jehovah has placed in him. (Heb 1:3, 4) (Insight on the Scriptures vol. 2 pg. 61)[2]
An article in the August 1, 1991 Watchtower attempts to harmonize what the scriptures say about Jesus rulership by stating that, although he received all authority after his resurrection he did not exercise it to the fullest extent, that is, as King of God’s Kingdom:
After his resurrection, Jesus revealed to his followers another facet of the light. He said: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” (Matthew 28:18) Jesus was thus being elevated to a preeminent position in Jehovah’s universal organization. Paul gives further details when he says: “[God] raised [Jesus] up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name named, not only in this system of things, but also in that to come. He also subjected all things under his feet, and made him head over all things to the congregation, which is his body.” (Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:9-11) Since 33 C.E., loving the light has included acknowledging this lofty position of Jesus.
12 Eventually, all mankind will have to acknowledge Jesus’ authority. (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7) Lovers of the light, however, have gladly recognized it right from the beginning. Anointed members of the Christian congregation accept Jesus as “the head of the body, the congregation.” (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23) When they become part of that body, they are ‘delivered from the authority of the darkness and are transferred into the kingdom of the Son of God’s love.’ (Colossians 1:13) Henceforth, they earnestly follow Jesus’ leadership in every aspect of their lives, and in our time they have taught the “other sheep” to do the same. (John 10:16) Acknowledging Jesus’ headship is a key requirement for receiving a favorable judgment.
13 At his ascension to heaven in 33 C.E., Jesus did not immediately exercise his authority to the fullest extent. Although Head of the Christian congregation, he waited for the proper time to exercise full authority over mankind in general. (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33-35) That time came in 1914, when Jesus was enthroned as King of God’s Kingdom and “the last days” of this world began. (The Watchtower August 1, 1991 pg. 11 pars. 11-13)
This same point was also made in the July 1st 1987 Watchtower:
After his resurrection in 33 C.E., Jesus told his followers: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” (Matthew 28:18) Jesus has long exercised such authority over his anointed servants on earth. (Colossians 1:13) However, the time had not yet come for Jesus to exercise authority as King of God’s Kingdom. Rather, after his ascension he ‘sat at God’s right hand in heaven’ until the time for the establishment of that Kingdom. (Psalm 110:1, 2; Acts 2:34, 35) That time came in 1914, “the time appointed.” (Daniel 11:29) In that year, Jesus was enthroned as reigning King of God’s Kingdom and immediately, as Michael the archangel, he cast Satan out of heaven. (Revelation 11:15; 12:5-9) So since 1914 Jesus has been “standing” as King.—Psalm 2:6. (The Watchtower July 1, 1987 pg. 18 par. 11)
The language here, however, is confusing. First of all, it is stated that “Jesus has long exercised such authority over his anointed servants on earth.” Since when? The impression given is this was granted him after his resurrection. But this ignores the fact that his disciples already recognized him as king prior to his resurrection. Secondly, just what does it mean that Jesus sat at God’s right hand until the time for the establishment of God’s Kingdom? Was God’s Kingdom not in existence until 1914? Furthermore, if it is to be understood that Jesus received all authority in 33 C.E but did not fully exercise it until 1914 why is it said that he was not enthroned as King until then? Does not enthronement mean receiving authority? Paragraphs 15 and 16 of this Watchtower article attempts to provide the answers to these questions when it discusses how the Bible describes how, in the future according to Daniel 12:1, Jesus, as Michael, who is already standing, stands up at a future time:
“During that time Miʹcha·el will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of your people. And there will occur a time of distress such as has not occurred since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, everyone who is found written down in the book. (Daniel 12:1)
So how is it that Jesus, who is already “standing,” ‘stands up’ at that time? (Daniel 12:1) In that his rulership enters a new phase, as it were. It is time for him to act in an outstanding way to save ‘Daniel’s people’ from annihilation at the hands of human governments. (Ezekiel 38:18, 19) The “time” referred to here is evidently “the time of the end” of the king of the north and the king of the south, when the king of the north threatens the spiritual estate of God’s people. (Daniel 11:40-45) Before this time, Jesus’ rulership has been taken seriously only by his faithful earthly subjects. (Psalm 2:2, 3) Now, though, it is time for “the revelation of the Lord Jesus,” when everyone will be forced to recognize his kingship. (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8) This will involve the destruction of all opposing forces, followed by the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus and his corulers, when the Kingdom will be the only government over mankind.—Revelation 19:19-21; 20:4. (The Watchtower July 1, 1987 pgs. 19-20 pars. 15-17)
When does this future standing occur? The book Daniel’s Prophecy explains:
Daniel 12:1 reads: “During that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people.” This verse foretells these two distinct things regarding Michael: one, that he “is standing,” suggesting a state of affairs that extends over a period of time; two, that he “will stand up,” suggesting an event during that period of time. First, we want to know the period when Michael is “standing in behalf of the sons of [Daniel’s] people.” Recall that Michael is a name given to Jesus in his role as a heavenly Ruler. The reference to his “standing” reminds us of the way that this term is used elsewhere in the book of Daniel. It often refers to the action of a king, such as his taking up royal power.—Daniel 11:2-4, 7, 20, 21.
5 It is evident that the angel was here pointing to a period of time specified elsewhere in Bible prophecy. Jesus called it his “presence” (Greek, pa·rou·siʹa), when he would rule as King in heaven. (Matthew 24:37-39) This time period is also called “the last days” and “the time of the end.” (2 Timothy 3:1; Daniel 12:4, 9) Ever since that period began in 1914, Michael has been standing as King in heaven.—Compare Isaiah 11:10; Revelation 12:7-9.
6 When, though, does Michael “stand up”? When he rises up to take special action. This, Jesus will do in the future. Revelation 19:11-16 prophetically describes Jesus as the mighty Messianic King riding at the head of an angelic army and bringing destruction upon enemies of God. Daniel 12:1 continues: “And there will certainly occur a time of distress such as has not been made to occur since there came to be a nation until that time.” As Jehovah’s Chief Executioner, Christ will bring an end to the entire wicked system of things during the foretold “great tribulation.”—Matthew 24:21; Jeremiah 25:33; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; Revelation 7:14; 16:14, 16. (Daniel’s Prophecy pgs. 288-289 pars. 4-6)
So, it would appear that the Watchtower society understands Jesus to have been seated at God’s right hand since 33 C.E., and that he stands up, by taking some action in behalf of Jehovah’s Witnesses, in 1914 and remains standing until he stands again at the conclusion of the system of things.
Notice, however, that the angel describes Michael as the great prince who “is” not “will be” standing in behalf of your people. How would Daniel have understood these words? It would have been for him an identification that the one who would stand up for his people, the Jews, would be the great prince who assisted the angel speaking to Daniel against the prince of the royal realm of Persia (Dan. 10:13), the one strongly supporting that angel, Daniel’s prince, Michael (Dan 10:21).
Somehow in Watchtower theology, Daniel’s people is understood to be a reference to a specific group of Christians in the 20th century!
The angel does not explain to Daniel that this is an identification of Michael as receiving a kingdom or as being the Messiah. All that can be said is that he stands up at a time of great tribulation for Daniel’s people.
Furthermore, in absence of clear scriptural verification for 1914 being the date of Jesus enthronement coupled with the fact that Michael was already acting in behalf of Daniel’s people, the Jews, would it be unreasonable to conclude that the time between Michael’s standing and his future standing up was between Daniel’s day and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE? Note again Daniel’s words:
“During that time Miʹcha·el will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of your people. And there will occur a time of distress such as has not occurred since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, everyone who is found written down in the book. (Daniel 12:1)
Compare this with Jesus words:
15 “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. 17 Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; 18 and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment. 19 Woe to the pregnant women and those suckling a baby in those days! 20 Keep praying that YOUR flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day; 21 for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. 22 In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:15-22)
Interestingly, as you can see, Jesus refers to the book of Daniel. If he indeed were Michael it is puzzling why he does not make that connection here.
Another scripture that the society leans upon for support for Jesus 1914 enthronement is Hebrews 10:12,13
But this man offered one sacrifice for sins for all time and sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from then on waiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet. (Hebrews 10:12, 13)
The claim is made that after his resurrection in 33 C.E., Jesus sat and waited until 1914 to be enthroned as reigning king of God’s kingdom. Given the extent of Jesus authority in the scriptures at the time of his resurrection, this obviously cannot be taken to mean that Jesus was inactive for 2,000 years.
To the one who conquers I will grant to sit down with me on my throne, just as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. 25 For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. 26 And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. (1 Corinthians 15:24-26)
It does not appear from this verse that Jesus, during his rulership, watches as God disposes of his enemies for him.
Since Jesus is described as
- already having all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18)
- having the name above every name (Phil. 2:9)
- having all things subjected under his feet (1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22; Heb. 2:8)
- having the ability to bring to nothing all government, authority and power, including death (1 Cor. 15:24-26)
- having angels and authorities and powers made subject to him (1 Pet. 3:22)
How could he possibly be given additional authority in the future? Hence the weight of the evidence leans in favor of understanding his words “all authority has been given me” to mean precisely that. The only exception being his Father, the one who subjected all things to him. Prior to that, Jesus was king of a spiritual kingdom that was no part of this world. And that his enthronement as king of God’s Kingdom took place soon after his resurrection and ascension to heaven. Since that time, rather than passively waiting, he has exercised some of that authority while being invisibly present and supporting the activities of Christians here on earth. (Matt. 28:20)
At his return he will exercise more of that authority by gathering his chosen ones from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity, separating them like wheat from weeds or sheep from goats. He will resurrect those that have died from the time of his apostles and transform those living at the time of his coming with the clouds of heaven so as to meet the Lord in the air. He will destroy all opposition to his rulership and begin the millenium with the aim of reconciling mankind back into God’s family. (Matt. 13:36-43; 25:31-46; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 19:11-21; Rom. 8:21)
Chapter 12 of the book of Revelation describes a war in heaven. A fiery colored dragon, who is the Devil and Satan, is cast down to earth. At that time an announcement is made “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ.” Hence, if Jesus was enthroned and received all authority in 33 C.E. was Satan cast down at that time as well? This will be discussed in a future article.
[1] Insight on the Scriptures vol. 2 pg. 169 “The Kingdom of the Son of His Love.” See also The Watchtower September 15, 2010 pgs. 22-23 par. 7; The Watchtower September 15, 2010 pg. 27 par. 8; The Watchtower September 1, 2006 pg. 13 par. 6; The Watchtower October 1, 2002 pg. 18 par. 3; The Watchtower October 15, 1995 pgs. 20-21
[2] See also The Watchtower March 15, 2007 pg. 6; The Watchtower May 15, 2007 pg. 7; The Watchtower December 15, 2002 pgs. 16-17 par. 15; The Watchtower June 1, 1994 pgs. 28-29