“Conquering & to Conquer”
In these seemingly dark times of decadence and decay, many Christians have begun to seriously examine their understanding of the blessed hope – the return of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ is Reigning Now
In studying the Scriptures, many have recognized that the united teaching of Scripture is that Jesus Christ is presently reigning over this earth. The Lord told his disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). Indeed, Jesus is the risen Lord of the church militant, who presently rides forth “conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2).
The saints do not await the day when Christ begins to conquer – it is happening right now. Satan is presently bound and has no power to stop the expanse of the Gospel to the nations (Rev. 20:2). Christ is building his church, against which the gates of hell will never prevail (Matthew 16:18).
In his earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus “bound the strong man” (Matthew 12:29) through the means of a ministry of humiliation and veiled glory. The Lord of glory took on the likeness of sinful flesh in order to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Although he was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus stood before Pilate and testified that “my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The Son of God conquered his enemies by means of his own wrath-bearing and cursed death at the hands of wicked men. He crushed the serpent’s head as he himself was bruised on the heel.
Ruling in the Midst of our Enemies
After the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, he commissioned his church to carry on the ministry of humiliation and to rule in the midst of his enemies (Psalm 110:2).
The church is to rejoice in sharing in the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ and to follow in his steps (Colossians 1:24, 2 Timothy 1:8, 1 Peter 2:21). While the church reigns with Christ, the church’s glory is veiled to the world, just as was the Lord’s during the time of his humiliation. The warfare of the church is carried out not with carnal weapons (2 Cor. 10:4), but through faithful proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and through the building up of the church of Jesus Christ in a hostile world.
How do they Conquer?
Although it seems foolish to the world’s eyes, Christ’s bride is confident and optimistic that her Husband will build his church to the end of the age. The rulers of this world consider the martyrdom of Christians a successful suppression of Christ’s voice; Yet, as the early church father Tertullian said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Through the faithful witness of his people amidst persecution–and through the faithful proclamation of the Word–God causes the fire of the gospel to burn brighter. The church conquers not by the sword of the magistrate, nor by the coercion of consciences, but by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony. (Rev. 12:11). Since the church is optimistic that Jesus will gather in every one of his elect, they count it a priviledge to endure many tribulations before entering the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22). For they understand, that suffering and tribulation are often God’s pattern for his people to conquer (2 Tim. 3:12).
In light of these things, believers in this present generation must take up arms with courage and sacrifice. We hope you will join us in Louisville, KY on March 14-16, 2024 as we seek to stir up one another to consider biblically the subject of eschatology through an optimistic amillennial point of view.
Speakers
Joel Beeke
President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Sam Waldron
John Miller
Vice-President, Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary
Voddie Baucham
Senior Lecturer, School of Divinity at African Christian University
