Jesus’ Rule Over the Nations

On X, someone recently responded to a post I made about the role of belief or unbelief in Christ in our cultural and political conflicts:

It is 100% correct to say Christian Nationalism isn’t the same as Christianity. But make no mistake, plenty of Christian Nationalists DO equate them as the same (see below).

That should be a BIG motivator for everyone to vote like American democracy depends on it. It does. https://t.co/eKgquvzSEG

— Mendi Tackett (@mentack) February 28, 2024

So I thought I would provide some Bible passages on the topic of Jesus’ rule over the nations–and the role that His people–Christians–will have in His rule. Here we go:

1. “God is the King of all the earth … God reigns over the nations” Psalm 47:7-8“ Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion … over all the earth” Gen 1:28, 26
2. “Your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.” Gen 17:5-6
3. I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” Gen 22:17-18
4. The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage” Psalm 2:7-8. “A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. Isaiah 9:6
5. “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which … will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms” Dan 2:44 “there came … one like a son of man. Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” Dan 7:14
6. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10. “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
7. “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20–23)
8. “Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matt 28:18 “For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.” 1 Cor 15:25 Christ “is the head of all rule and authority.” Col 2:10
9. “There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Rom 13:1 “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!” Rev 11:15. “The one who conquers … I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron” Rev 2:26-7

God has installed His Son Jesus Christ as King over the nations. He rules from His throne at the right hand of God. And He also rules the nations through His people, His Holy Temple. That rule seems inadequate now, but its fullness is growing and will become apparent to all. In time, Christians will rule over the nations. Be patient.