Therefore, anyone who would teach otherwise in the face of the scriptures cited above, would have to be considered grossly incompetent teachers of God's Word, and completely ignorant of the fact first century christians publicly taught Jesus was ALREADY, yes already the appointed "Ruler of the kings of the earth." -- See Revelation 1:5.
Think about it.
THE CONCLUSION OF JESUS' HEAVENLY REIGN-- WHEN?
We recall Paul wrote the following about the conclusion of Jesus' heavenly reign:
"Next, the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has BROUGHT TO NOTHING [or destroyed] all government and all authority and power. For he [Jesus] must rule as king UNTIL God has put all enemies under his feet [or destroyed them]. As the last enemy, death is to be BROUGHT TO NOTHING [or destroyed]." -- 1 Corinthians 15:24-26
As mentioned above, Jesus fully demonstrates his full control and domination over all, AT THE VERY END OF HIS REIGN. This is when Jesus removes all inherited "sin" "sickness" and Adamic "death" from earth's scene. Yes, when Jesus empties the grave, sheol/Hades completely. But when is that?
Well, the bible shows it will be AT THE SAME TIME Jesus also REMOVES ALL HUMAN "government, authority and power." These things all happen at the same time, actually in consecutive order. First, the destruction of all "government, authority and power" at Armageddon. And next, the resurrection and emptying of the graves of mankind. Yes, these two events are connected and need not be separated at all, contrary to what the Watchtower Society teaches on this matter.
How can we prove this?
Well, let's consider Daniel 12:1, 2 which says:
"And during that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people. 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. And during that time your people will escape, every one who is found written down in the book. And there will be many of those asleep in the ground of dust who will wake up, these to indefinitely lasting life and those to reproaches [and] to indefinitely lasting abhorrence."
Yes, as Daniel indicates above, there is no great separation in time between God's destructive day, the time of "great distress" and the awakening of those who are "asleep in the ground of the dust", is there? No, the prophet Daniel does not indicate such an occurrence. No, but Daniel shows these things happen, together, in consecutive order, one after the other. This verse also shows that the earthly resurrection will bring all the dead up together, instantly, and not over a long 1,000 year period, as taught by the Watchtower Society.
So when Jesus rule comes to an end, when it has been finished, and all "government, authority and power" will have been removed from the earth's scene. And then, immediately following this event, "those who are asleep in the ground of dust" will wake up, by way of an earthly resurrection. A resurrection of the "righteous and the unrighteous" as Paul said. -- Acts 24:15
In this way, Jesus' "last enemy," Adamic death will be done away with completely just before the 1,000 year reign of peace starts.
-- 1 Corinthians 15:26
So these two events work together and need not be separated over a great period of time. Namely when Jesus brings "to nothing all government, authority and power" in complete and utter destruction before God, and lastly empties the common grave of mankind as he promised. -- John 5:28, 29
When Jesus does these two primary things, when he has accomplished these two things, then Jesus' reign will "end". At this time, in all humility, Jesus will "hand over the kingdom" to his God and father, Jehovah, and "subject" himself to this One, God Almighty, the Supreme Ruler in the Universe. This is how Jesus' reign in heaven, will end. -- 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
So, in harmony with Jehovah's will, the "enthroned" and reigning heavenly king, Jesus Christ is reigning now and has been doing so for close to 2,000 years. Ever since the first century. However, he simply has not as of yet, fully demonstrated his superiority over "all things" upon earth and their total "subjection" to his power. That comes later when Jesus removes "all government, authority and power" and performs the earthly resurrection from the grave.
Paul spoke of the enthroned Jesus' situation this way by saying,
"As for us, our citizenship exists in the heavens, from which
place also we are eagerly waiting for a savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ, who will refashion our humiliated body to be conformed
to his glorious body according to the operation of the power
that he has, even to subject all things to himself. -- Philippians 3:20, 21
Yes, all things will be shown to be "subject" to Jesus, when he destroys all human "governments," "powers," and "authorities." This is when Jesus will DEMONSTRATE such "subjection" to himself. Yes, when he destroys them. Therefore based upon this understanding of matter, is it any wonder Paul wrote,
"But this [man] offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet." -- Hebrews 10:12, 13
Now, the Watchtower Society says this scripture proves Jesus is "awaiting" rulership. He is "sitting" at God's right hand, "awaiting" the year of 1914, so that he can become "enthroned" and BEGIN His rule.
But is that what Paul said? We just read what Paul said of the matter.
Paul said, sure, Jesus is "awaiting" something. But it is not kingdom rule. No, he is not "awaiting" this at all. No, but Paul said that Jesus is "awaiting" or expecting the Word from God to fully demonstrate his "authority" over his "enemies", by placing them "as a stool for his feet." Which means, as Paul states, to "bring them to nothing," or complete and utter destruction. That's what Paul is saying.
"Next, the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has BROUGHT TO NOTHING [or destroyed] all government and all authority and power. For he [Jesus] must rule as king UNTIL God has put all enemies under his feet [or destroyed them]. As the last enemy, death is to be BROUGHT TO NOTHING [or destroyed]." (1 Corinthians 15:24-26)
As we have just read, Paul shows that at the end of Jesus' reign, he is allowed to bring his enemies, as "to nothing" or total destruction. Jesus' kingdom or rulership will extend itself until the actual time he is told by God to "put all enemies under his feet", in destruction. He is to "bring them to nothing". All "government and authority and power" upon earth, also inherited "sin" and "death", are all "brought to nothing" at the same time, by Jesus Christ's heavenly rulership. As the scripture says above, "For he must rule as king until..." he accomplishes this for God. And when he accomplishes this, then Jesus' rule ends.
Written By Donald C. Burney
To answer the question of who is reigning as King during the 1,ooo year reign of peace on earth, please see the following topic:
Reign of the Davidic Heir over the Earth.