Truth Seeker - Coronation of Christ

The Coronation of Christ – When?

Two Issues

There are two issues that come to light when this subject is discussed:

A. The first is the coronation of Christ, and
B. the second is Christ’s revelation when he returns in glory with payback for all.

There is a wealth of scriptures dealing with this revelation, Jesus’ coming in revealed royal glory and power. This revelation the parable of the Minas shows to be exactly that. It is not Christ becoming king – instead, it is a revelation of his authority to the world for the sake of implementing the Kingdom globally. As the ASV translation states, it is a "manifestation of his presence." (See footnote quoted below in 2 Thess 2:8) Much of it has been discussed elsewhere on the homepage.

In contrast, Christ's coronation is covered by a great deal of mostly nothing. This little bit of something is the subject of this investigation.

The parable about the Minas of Luke and Matthew gives details about Christ’s coming. The point shown is that Christ is made king in a distant land – of course a reference to heaven. It also shows that his return in kingdom power, though eagerly anticipated by his subjects, will be a long time in the coming. About the timing of the coronation, the parable says nothing.

Luke 19:12, Accordingly he said, 'A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and then return. (NJB)

Matthew 25:19, And, after a long time, cometh the lord of those servants, and reckoneth with them. (Rotherham)

Revelation of the King Christ Jesus

The scriptures amply give details about this in many places. In II Thess 2:8 we read:

II Thess 2:8, And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, bring to nought by the manifestation of his ⁽³⁾ coming_{3) Gr presence )} (ASV)

”by the splendour of his coming” (NIV) / “by the manifestation of his presence.” (NW)

II Thessalonians 2:2, . . .as that the day of the Lord is just at hand; 3let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first. (ASV)

Matthew 24:29-31, And immediately after the tribulation of those days . . . 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. 31And he shall send his angels with a trumpet, and a great voice: and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. (DRC)

This tells us that the coming of Christ in revealed royal glory and splendour shall not happen until quite some time after Pentecost. Actually, Matthew 24:29-32 tells us that the timing of that is after the Great Tribulation.

However, the presence of Christ is explained in Matthew chapter 24. As it shows, it has a fulfilment in the first century, and clearly also one at the end of times.

Matthew 24:16, When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), 16then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains: 17let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house: 18and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. (ASV)

The elusive sign of Christ – an interlude

In the scripture just above, Matt 24:30, what the sign of Christ shall be is of course a matter of speculation and on how to understand prophecy. It cannot be more than that until it is fulfilled. Nonetheless, an important scripture is found in the book of Psalms. Here we read:

Ps 68:12-14, Kings of armies fled quickly, and she who remained at home divided the spoil. 13Though ye lay between two boundaries, it is as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her pinions with yellow gold. 14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was as it snows in Zalmon. (ACV)

Matt 3:16, . . . And lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon him (ACV)

All Christians remember the dove that descended upon Christ after he came out of the water having been baptized. The scripture above and Matt 3:16 may perhaps be used to speculate that this heavenly sign somehow will resemble "the wings of a dove" in the heavens as described in Psalms 68 above.

On this website, by Peter Kirby, called Early Christian Writings, the Didache, specifically on this page containing a translation of the text, Roberts-Donaldson English Translation, there is mention in chapter 16 (a very short chapter) of the heavenly signs that shall precede Christ's coming. That is not to say that we should accept outside sources as part of the Biblical canon. However, it is interesting to note the similarity between the prophetic statement in the Didache these Biblical verses, particularly Psalms 68:13.

There is one more scripture that possibly could be applied to this sign. In Malachi 4:2 we read this about the day of God, the day of wrath as we know it, and here it is that day that burns so as to burn up the wicked.

We see the previous sign elaborated. Here the sign is expanded to be a sun, our sun or some other heavenly body, that has healing in its wings. If this is to be understood to expand the sign of the silver-gold wings of a dove from Psalms to be centered around this sun of righteousness only time shall tell. Much mysticism seems to surround this subject from non-Biblical sources, historical and otherwise ancients myths and legends, but that shall be left out here.

Mal 4:1-3For behold, the day cometh, burning as a furnace; and all the proud and all that work wickedness shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Jehovah of hosts, so that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2And unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and leap like fatted calves. 3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I prepare, saith Jehovah of hosts. (Darby)

Relevance

Why does it seem reasonable to apply Psalms 68:13 to Matthew 24:30? Again there is a small amount of uncertainty, but when the verse says "Kings of armies fled quickly" and "when the Almighty scattered kings in it" the reference to Armageddon and the way it fits with other End Times prophecies – the conclusion that it applies does not seem unreasonable.

Ps 2:5-9, Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his great displeasure. 6Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7I will tell of the decree. LORD said to me, Thou are my son, this day I have begotten thee. 8Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the outermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9Thou shall break them with a rod of iron, thou shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. (ACV)

End of interlude !

In regard to Christ's presence, the questions begs:

1. Was Christ present in the first century?

When Christ explained about his presence, he included the events happening in Judea during the first century. Thus we must conclude that he was present then because he said so.

2. Will he also be present before the end of times? That must also the case.

What are we to believe about Christ presence?

An interesting statement is uttered by Peter, "who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake." (I Peter 1:20, ASV) So, way back then was ‘the end of times’ in one manner of speaking. It most certainly was the end of times for the Jewish system.

Matthew 28:20, . . .and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (ASV)

What does Christ say? He says he will be with us always, “unto the end of the world.” Thus he has been present with Christians since Pentecost in an invisible manner and shall keep on being with us until “the consummation of the age.” (ASV footnote)

There does seem to be a special kind of presence of Christ prior to the time of the end. This is shown by telling us that the preponderance of Christian denominations would come into being in contrast to the times before Christ’s presence. This presence Revelation equals with the Lord's Day or God and Christ's Day of Wrath. From this, it becomes clear that it must be a different presence than the one in which he said he would always be with us. (paraphrased)

When we look at the Christian Church history, it becomes clear that since about 1830-1850 this phenomenon began to be fulfilled. In today’s world, the number of denominations is astronomical, much larger than a few centuries ago. Many of the signs given are fulfilled around us so that we can conclude that Christ indeed has been present in the special sense that Matthew chapter 24 1-28 prescribes for some time. It may however not be the Lord's Day until the Great Tribulation begins.

Jesus’ Coronation – When?

Daniel chapter seven speaks of Jesus’ coronation. The time of this is not possible to pin down based on what is said. Psalms 110 may be more useful in the pursuit of an answer about this.

Psalms 110:1-4, A Psalm of David. Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3Thy people offer themselves willingly In the day of thy power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek. (ASV)

Revelation 3:21, He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. (ASV)

We know that Jesus was made high-priest once he ascended to heaven and had presented God with the value of his sacrifice. Here it shows, side by side, that Christ would rule in the midst of his enemies while being a high prist. He most certainly has ruled in the midst of his enemies over his followers since his ascent to heaven in 33CE.

As Jesus said in Rev 3:21, he "sat down with his Father in his throne." That is past tense already when Jesus gave this revelation to John. This is affirmed by what he said right after his resurrection.

Remember what Jesus said to his followers after he was resurrected !

Matthew 28:18,19, And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

Revelation

1:5, . . . Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

2:27, Il les paîtra avec une verge de fer, comme on brise les vases d'argile, ainsi que moi-même j'en ai reçu le pouvoir de mon Père.

(French Louis Segond) Translation, blue to blue : « just as I myself have received power from my Father »

2:26-27, To anyone who proves victorious, and keeps working for me until the end, I will give the authority over the nations 27which I myself have been given by my Father, to rule them with an iron sceptre and shatter them like so many pots. (NJB)

There can be no doubt ! Jesus has received royal power from his God. That he needs to wait for certain events to unfold before he reveals his authority and manifest his presence and takes action at Armageddon is shown above and elsewhere.

Revelation 3:21, He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. (ASV)

In 3:21, the ones that receive permission to sit in Christ throne are the joint-heirs of Christ, the Sains who shall be king-priests with him. If this "sitting down with Christ in his throne" implies becoming king — it is therefore no less true that when Jesus sat down with his Father in his throne, he also at that moment became king! Thus more and more scriptures point to the fact that Christ was appointed King in 33CE after ascending to heaven and sitting with his Father.

What about Rev chapter six, chapter twelve?
The text does say that Christ was given a crown once he began to go conquering! We know from many scriptures and from the parable of the Minas that a long time had to pass before the revealed king was to go conquering and subdue his enemies. Psalms 110 also emphasized this. If we permit the scriptures from Revelation chapters one to five to be given equal value to those in chapters six and twelve, combining Christ's receipt of a crown and the prior appointment to king gives a simple picture. Christ was enthroned upon sitting down in heaven with his Father in 33CE. This is why he could include his disciples into his kingdom!

Colossians 1:12-14, Giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins; (DRC)

As is said clearly, Christians have been translated, brought "into the kingdom of his beloved Son," (Webster) Jesus Christ. It is impossible for anyone (even for God) to enter someone into a kingdom if it doesn't exist. That is just plain nonsense, gibberish, and gobbledygook. It is therefore clear that unless Christ truly is king, no translation of Christians may transport them into that kingdom however limited its powers are being exercised.

Then the crown he receives in chapter six & twelve must be the symbol of the revealed royal power he gives to the world at large when they all see him in stately form having come to present himself to the world as king !

This may sound banal:
a king does not walk around in his bedroom and apartment with his crown on. This is reserved for formal occasions. Thus it is perfectly in line with the teaching of a 33CE coronation for Christ to put on the emblems of his power later, once he rides out to perform, to exercise his royal authority in regard to the world at large.