THE REIGN OF CHRIST
Let’s walk together on some foundation stones. I want you to imagine us sitting on a porch at sunset, Bible in hand, letting the Holy Spirit speak gently to you about the reign of Christ. First, ask yourself: is Christ’s kingdom mainly earthly in its expression? If not, then many of those premillennial assumptions tumble like old bricks. You’ve heard the idea: that one day Jesus will come back then begin a literal thousand‑year reign over physical Israel, with Jerusalem rebuilt, the temple restored, and all of that. But listen—the Scriptures don’t lead us there. They suggest something more beautiful, more intimate, more now.
Think about when Israel demanded a king “so we might be like the nations” (1 Samuel 8:7‑9). God said they weren’t just rejecting Samuel, they were rejecting Him. They wanted a throne and weapons and city walls. God had always wanted to reign in their hearts. That tells us something right off the bat: the pattern of the Davidic throne, the earthly king, was more an accommodation to human desire than the perfect prototype of God’s ultimate rule. Our King’s throne is not bound to bricks and mortar.
Second, let us look at Jesus’ own words. When He stood before Pilate He said calmly, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). That’s huge. He didn’t come to launch a physical rebellion against Rome. He came to launch a reign of far greater power: spiritual, eternal, transformative. His teaching was full of statements like “the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:21) and “the kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13). We see in Romans that the kingdom isn’t meat and drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). And 2 Peter says that participating in the divine nature is part of entering that kingdom (2 Peter 1:11). The victory He wins isn’t limited to geography—it’s over sin, death, darkness, and the powers unseen.
When Jesus walked among us, He didn’t ride in as a military king with armies behind Him. He rode in on a donkey, served those around Him, loved sinners, healed the sick, and bore a cross. On the road to Emmaus His companions said, “We were hoping He would redeem Israel,” expecting political liberation. But Jesus explained how redemption was so much deeper (Luke 24:21). He inaugurated a kingdom they didn’t expect, with a throne they couldn’t observe with human eyes. This reminds us that if we keep holding onto the idea of a physical, future kingdom as the “true” one, we misunderstand the kingship of Christ.
Here’s one of the greatest encouragements: believing His rule is in hearts, that the throne is hidden yet exalted, and that the kingdom is now—even if unseen—is such freedom. The church is identified in the Bible as the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16) and as a holy people, called out, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). The old covenant expressions of physical Israel don’t hold the same place they once did (Jeremiah 19:11). The vision in Daniel of the last world empire giving way to God’s kingdom that won’t be destroyed (Daniel 2:44) speaks of something which began under Christ, not something that is yet to begin.
At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell and the church was birthed, that kingdom was launched (see also Mark 9:1). And when Jesus promised that the gates of Hades will not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18), that lines up with Daniel’s prophecy that the kingdom would never be destroyed. If the church is the kingdom, and Paul says Christ is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18), then to deny that the kingdom is present is to undermine the very meaning of calling Jesus King now.
Friend, when you truly grasp that Christ’s reign is present and active, it changes how you live. You don’t live in “waiting mode” for the kingdom to dawn; you live in it. You’re not a spectator—you’re a participant. You’re not outside the circle of victory—you’re in it. One moment you might feel small, unseen, unheard, but your King is reigning. He’s seated at the right hand of God, ruling from heaven (Acts 2:33‑36). Far above every name, authority, power, dominion, and every title that can be given (Ephesians 1:20‑22). Everything is under His feet (Psalm 110:1). Your life happens under His reign.
That means your trials, your whispers of fear, your sleepless nights—they are not outside His rule. He’s not figuring things out. He’s sovereign. He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28‑30). Even when evil seems to rise, your King is not surprised. And because He reigns now, you already possess the victory. John said, “In this world you will have trouble; but take heart. I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Hear this: If Christ reigns now, then obedience matters, not because of fear, but because of love. He isn’t just your Savior. He’s your Lord. Your decisions, the loyalties you choose, the way you carry your body, your speech, your work—all belong to Him. You were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19‑20). Your life is not your own. And yet, the yoke He gives is easy. His burden is light (Matthew 11:28‑30). Submit to Him not as a slave, but as one who knows the King loves you, and His rule blesses you.
When you wake in the morning, remind yourself: “The king is on the throne.” When you leave your home, go with the confidence that you carry the kingdom of God within you. When voices of doubt whisper, speak the truth: “Christ is reigning in me.” When you face injustice, stand firm, because the King makes justice His throne (Psalm 9:7‑10). When you feel unseen, remember that in Christ you are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Your value is locked into His reign.
And when we look forward to the return of Christ, it will be glorious. But He’s not coming to start the reign. He’s coming to finish the work. He’s coming to destroy the last enemy—death—and hand over the reign to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24‑28). Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10‑11). He comes as King of kings and Lord of lords. He comes as one whose dominion is forever and ever (Revelation 19:16). When He appears, the faithful will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43). And every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4).
So let your soul rest in this truth: Christ reigns now. Not sometime in some distant future. Right now. Today. In you, in me, in our communities. This means you don’t wait for permission to live like God’s kingdom has arrived, you lean into it. You walk in freedom, you love like you’ve been loved, you pursue righteousness like citizens of heaven. Your life is gospel now, not just in hope, but in reality.
Let’s be people who live under the crown of Christ, not waiting for a coronation, but worshipping the King who already reigns. Let us share that good news—not because it’s one day coming, but because it’s already here. Let’s shine the light, speak the truth, love the lost, and build the church—not for a future kingdom, but for the kingdom that is already on its march, unstoppable and glorious.
And every step you take, ask the Lord: “King Jesus, show me how Your reign impacts this moment, this minute.” Because He reigns now. And your life is part of the story.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
