A correspondant wrote:
I believe that Acts 2[:30] speaks for itself and really needs no further comment
James responds:
Of course Acts 2:30 is in the Bible, but what does it mean? Does this verse say that Jesus is NOW sitting on David’s throne? If so, where? V34 says He is NOW sitting on God’s throne, as also this verse says:
I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in HIS throne. (Rev 3:21)
God’s throne and David’s throne are obviously not the same. Jesus WILL sit on David’s throne, but not yet. “But NOW My kingdom is not from here” (Jn 18:36), but it will be later (Lk 1:32-33). Sitting on God’s throne is only UNTIL all enemies are subdued under Him (I Cor 15:25-26, Acts 2:34-35). However, Jesus’ sitting on David’s throne has no end (Lk 1:33).
Jesus will sit on God’s throne with all authority in heaven and on earth until He has conquered the last enemy, death (I Cor 15:25-26). Then Jesus Himself will be subject to the Father (I Cor 15:28). So, if Christ is subordinate to the Father, He is no longer ruling on God’s throne (I Cor 15:28), but yet Jesus has a throne of His own glory (Mt 25:31, 19:28) on which He will have a name that is above every name in the world to come (Eph 1:21). His reign on this throne has no end (Lk 1:33).
My view that Jesus is now ruling on God’s throne is not arrayed against scripture. Luke said God raised up Jesus TO sit on David’s throne. He did not say that Jesus is already sitting on it. In fact Luke says that Jesus is NOT yet ruling on earth and will not until all His enemies are made His footstool. Those that place Jesus on David’s throne at the present hour are the ones that say Jesus is wrong when He says that His kingdom is not now of this world. David’s throne IS of this world, but Jesus’ kingdom is not now. He cannot be sitting on a throne of this world and not have a kingdom in it. Therefore, Jesus is not yet sitting on David’s throne.
Lk 19:12-27 shows that Jesus went to heaven to receive the kingdom of David from the Father, but His citizens sent a message to God that they did not want Jesus ruling them (Lk 12:14) and were in rebellion to Him. After a long time (Mt 25:19), Jesus returns to earth (Lk 19:15), judges His servants (Lk 19:15-26) and slays those wicked citizens that opposed His rule (Lk 19:27). Then will He sit on the throne of David and His kingdom will have no end.
Jesus is now sitting on God’s throne (Rev 3:21), but there is a time coming when He will give up God’s throne and sit on His own throne (Rev 3:21, Lk 1:33). Here is what the Bible says about Jesus giving up God’s throne:
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, UNTIL I make thy foes thy footstool. Acts 2:35-36
Then [cometh] THE END, when he shall have DELIVERED UP THE KINGTOM TO GOD, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, TILL he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.
For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, THEN shall the Son also himself BE SUBJECT unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
I Cor 15:24-28
Each of the Godhead has His own speical role in the scheme of redemption. There was a time when Jesus emptied Himself, and became a man. Now God has highly exalted Jesus and set Him at His own right hand. He will sit on God’s throne UNTIL the last enemy, death (Rev 3:21, Acts 2:35-36, 1 Co 15:26), is destroyed, at which time Jesus Himself will step down from God’s throne and assume His eternal rule on David’s throne.
