Authority
As I compiled a list of uses of this
word from throughout the Bible, it started becoming clear to me that
like pretty much everything else, there is a true original and there
is a counterfeit. Both show up in Scripture and we must have
discernment to know the difference between false, abusive types of
authority in contrast with God's kind of authority, which like so
many other aspects of truth is far less familiar to us.
Like the cartoon above illustrates, our
fallen nature tends to interpret most things about God in such
darkened ways that we reinforce Satan's insinuations about Him. But
all of his deceptions have one purpose – to keep us from knowing
the real truth about God that would awaken trust and love in our
hearts. As long as Satan can keep us afraid of God he can strengthen
our doubts and erode the very faith needed in order to embrace the
salvation God has provided for us. Yet ironically many of Satan's
lies are embedded in claims to describe God's salvation while in
reality they blaspheme His name.
So, what can we learn about authority
that would increase our trust in God instead of making us afraid of
Him? Paul pointed out a vital truth when he said, Now the Lord is
the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
(2 Corinthians 3:17) Jesus informed some of His new disciples of this
same axiom which resulted in mixed reactions. Like us too often, they
resisted His diagnosis of the problem.
So Jesus was saying to those Jews
who had believed Him, So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had
believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly
disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will
make you free."
They answered Him, "We are
Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how
is it that You say, 'You will become free'?"
Jesus answered them, "Truly,
truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain
forever. "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free
indeed." (John 8:31-36)
I am keenly aware that I have been
conflicted with problems over authority many times in my life. But
over recent years I am becoming more and more aware that much of my
problem has had to do with false presumptions about authority, both
of my own, but also on the part of others attempting to impose it
over me or who taught me false ideas about it. The good news is that
the more I am learning about the original, authentic kind of
authority that operates in heaven's system of life, the more
attractive it becomes for me to want to live under that kind of
authority. I am seeing that to discern the difference between true
authority and counterfeit authority is to also learn how to move from
slavery into freedom and liberty. And I suspect I am not the only one
who can benefit from this study.
So for those interested in looking into
this with me, let me just inform you that I will be unloading a whole
bunch of verses in order to flush out some of the truths I am
discovering about both kinds of authority. Then as the Spirit of
Christ takes these and applies them to hearts open and hungry to know
something better than the false system all of us live under
currently, others may also enter into the joy of living under true
authority with us while allowing the Spirit of Jesus to empower us
and give all of us wisdom to know how to relate to counterfeit and
abusive kinds of authority while here on earth.
The most important things I see besides
discovering the real truth about heaven's version of authority is to
know how to avoid engaging in abusive and counterfeit practices of
authority ourselves. What we believe about this, like so many other
things, dictates how we act toward others and how we relate to God.
Like so many other misapprehensions about God, this is one of the big
ones that keeps many people afraid and even disgusted with popular
teachings about God as promoted by religion. As the cartoon above
demonstrates, Satan's lies about God are intended to disgust us and
turn us away from the very one who longs to give us life, love,
happiness and peace. Yet as long as we cling to lies about God such
as this, it will be impossible to believe that He is really worthy of
our trust or love.
What I am finding in my research is
that there are a many more words in the Greek translated as the
English word authority than there are in Hebrew. For
clarification of my method, I used the KJV to search for the word
authority and then traced the various original words from
which it was derived to see what other words might have been used to
render the same term. This has proven to be quite revealing and even
exposes some of the bias of the translators themselves.
I decided to organize some of these
verses into categories to help clarify for my own thinking some of
the concepts I see emerging here. This involves some redundancy of
verses for explaining various concepts. I include at least part of
the Strong's definition of each original word for amplification.
Authority.
Hebrew,
rabah – to
increase (in whatever respect): be in authority, bring up, continue,
enlarge, excel, exceedingly, be full of, to be or make great, grow
up, heap, increase, be long, yield much more, make to multiply,
nourish, plenteous.
Interestingly,
this word is only translated as authority one time in the KJV. Yet is
shows up in the Hebrew Old Testament in 211 verses. As can be seen in
the following sampling of verses, it is usually rendered in very
different ways from what we would think of as authority. But as I
considered this carefully it occurred to me that in fact there may be
valuable insights from some of these verses about the true nature of
authority as originally designed by God at creation.
God
blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply,
and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the
earth." (Genesis
1:22)
God
blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply,
and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea
and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves
on the earth." (Genesis
1:28)
And
God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and
multiply,
and fill the earth.
(Genesis 9:1)
"As
for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Populate the earth abundantly and multiply
in it." (Genesis
9:7)
Moreover,
the angel of the LORD said to her, "I will greatly
multiply your
descendants so that they will be too many to count." (Genesis
16:10)
God
was with the lad, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and
became an archer.
(Genesis 21:20)
So
God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied,
and became very mighty.
(Exodus 1:20)
You
give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great.
(2 Samuel 22:36 NIV)
When
the righteous are in authority,
the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
(Proverbs 29:2 NKJV)
When
the righteous increase,
the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
(Proverbs 29:2)
While the same
English word is not used in these passages, I get the sense that this
may be a close parallel to the concept of dominion which is another
fascinating topic that I want to examine much deeper. Scripture makes
it clear that God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth
originally, but when they fell it becomes quite confusing as to who
had the right to exercise it after that. There is a lot of debate and
speculation on that topic, but for this study I simply want to note
that I believe there is a close connection between the two. One
strong clue shows up when Satan confronted Jesus in person to tempt
Him over this issue of authority that evidently was hotly contended
in the supernatural realm.
And
the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain
and its glory; for it has been handed over to me,
and I give it
to whomever I wish."
(Luke 4:6)
This passage
includes a number of different concepts connected to authority
including the issue of dominion. Satan insisted that Adam had handed
over his authority to Satan. This also notes another aspect we will
look at later of how authority can both be received as well as passed
on to others. But clearly there is a conflict here as to the real
nature of authority that can be very confusing if we do not first
take time to discern the difference between true and false ways of
viewing this concept as well as alternative ways of exercising it.
The temptation for Jesus was to be drawn into the subtle reasoning
and insinuations about authority that dominated the thinking of
humanity in hopes that He could be seduced into using Satan's
definitions of authority rather than God's. For us though, the issue
is far less clear as we are disadvantaged by false assumptions about
authority from the beginning.
The
next Hebrew word translated as authority
exposes rather clearly the counterfeit kind of authority that Satan
invented. Take a look at how this words shows up throughout
Scripture. While these examples are not necessarily abusive, the kind
of authority described here is closer to imposed authority, the kind
of authority we are familiar with as exercised by the kingdoms of
this world.
Authority.
Hebrew, toqeph – from taqaph;
might or (figuratively) positiveness:-- authority, power, strength.
Taqaph –
to overpower:--prevail (against).
Then
Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with
full authority
to confirm this second letter about Purim.
(Esther 9:29)
And
all the accomplishments of his authority
and strength, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai to
which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the
Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?
(Esther 10:2)
He
will determine to come with the might
of his entire kingdom and will make an alliance with the king of the
South. And he will give him a daughter in marriage in order to
overthrow the kingdom, but his plans will not succeed or help him.
(Daniel 11:17 NIV)
This
concludes the Hebrew words translated as the English word authority.
Now let's turn attention to the many Greek terms which are more
diverse. The first one examined here clearly exposes the contrast
between the counterfeit type of authority invented by Satan and the
type of authority that marks the way God relates to His children.
Authority.
Greek,
katexousiazo – to
have (wield) full privilege over:--exercise authority.
But
Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers
of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise
authority
over them. "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to
become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to
be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom
for many." (Matthew
20:25-28)
Now I would look
over the other various terms in the Greek and before ending with the
most common one that has the most insights regarding this fascinating
subject.
Authority.
Greek,
dunastes – a ruler
or officer:--of great authority, mighty, potentate.
He
has brought down rulers
from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble.
(Luke 1:52)
So
he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great
authority under Candace
the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and
had come to Jerusalem to worship.
(Acts 8:27 NKJV)
He
who is the blessed and only Sovereign,
the King of kings and Lord of lords.
(1 Timothy 6:15)
Authority.
Greek,
huperoche –
prominence, i.e. (figuratively) superiority (in rank or
character):--authority, excellency.
And
when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority
of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
(1 Corinthians 2:1)
First
of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and
thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who
are in authority,
so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and
dignity. (1 Timothy
2:1-2)
Authority.
Greek,
authenteo – to act
of oneself, dominate.
But
I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority
over a man, but to remain quiet.
(1 Timothy 2:12)
And a woman I do not suffer to
teach, nor to rule a husband, but to be in
quietness. (1 Timothy 2:12 YLT)
And a wife I commit to their care
not to teach, nor to domineer a husband, but to
be at rest.
(1 Timothy 2:12 ABP+)
I presented three different Bible
versions of this while realizing that none of them conveys very
accurately the best meaning of this obscure Greek term used only once
in the Bible. There are many different opinions about this term, but
the one that makes the most sense to me relates to how this word was
often used during that time in other venues. The word authenteo
was associated with the committing of a crime involving sexual
assault. By choosing this word instead of other words that could have
clearly defined what we think of as authority, Paul was strongly
inferring that at least one woman in that church was abusing her
sexual attractiveness to gain advantage over men. In essence she was
exploiting the natural weaknesses of men to gain power which was only
common practice in the popular religion of that day in that region.
When this context is understood it makes far more sense why Paul
would seem so stern about putting a stop to such exploitation within
the body of Christ.
Authority.
Greek, epitage – an injunction
or decree; by implication, authoritativeness:--authority,
commandment.
Now to Him who is able to establish
you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret
for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of
the prophets, according to the commandment of
the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to
obedience of faith. (Romans 16:25-26)
Stop depriving one another, except
by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer,
and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of
your lack of self-control. But this I say by way of concession, not
of command. (1 Corinthians 7:5-6)
Now concerning virgins I have no
command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as
one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. (1 Corinthians
7:25)
...but at the proper time
manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was
entrusted according to the commandment of God
our Savior. (Titus 1:3)
These
things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.
Let no one disregard you.
(Titus 2:15)
This
last word from the Greek shows up in 93 verses but is translated as
authority
in only 32 of them. It is used from both perspectives as good or
counterfeit, but it clearly begins to highlight the intense contest
between the opposing forces claiming authority as seen in the
constant tensions Jesus created with the leaders in charge of
religion. They viewed authority very differently than He did and
repeatedly challenged Him over this issue. (Keep in mind that all
words in in these verses marked in bold
are translated from the same Greek word used for authority.)
Authority.
Greek,
exousia –
privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom,
or (objectively) mastery, delegated influence:--authority,
jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
A
new kind of authority
appears on the scene.
When
Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His
teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority,
and not as their scribes.
(Matthew 7:28-29)
But
when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who
had given such authority
to men. (Matthew 9:8)
They
were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What
is this? A new teaching with authority!
He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."
(Mark 1:27)
"But
so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority
on earth to forgive sins" --then He said to the paralytic, "Get
up, pick up your bed and go home."
(Matthew 9:6)
Supernatural
authorities and
contention over authority.
When
He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people
came to Him while He was teaching, and said, "By what authority
are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?"
Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one thing, which if you
tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things."
(Matthew 21:23-24)
When
they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the
authorities,
do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or
what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very
hour what you ought to say.
(Luke 12:11-12)
And
the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain
and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to
whomever I wish."
(Luke 4:6)
And
Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority
has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all
that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age."
(Matthew 28:18-20)
But
as many as received Him, to them He gave the right
to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.
(John 1:12)
...so
that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the
church to the rulers and the authorities
in the heavenly places.
(Ephesians 3:10)
For
our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual
forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
(Ephesians 6:12)
...to
open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from
the dominion
of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an
inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.
(Acts 26:18)
Delegating
or giving others authority.
For
just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son
also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority
to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.
(John 5:26-27)
Jesus
summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority
over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of
disease and every kind of sickness.
(Matthew 10:1)
Behold,
I have given you authority
to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy, and nothing will injure you.
(Luke 10:19)
It
is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and
putting his slaves in charge,
assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay
on the alert. (Mark
13:34)
And
he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been
faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority
over ten cities.' (Luke
19:17)
'He
who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will
give authority
over the nations.
(Revelation 2:26)
Receiving
authority and using it for self-control.
For
just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son
also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority
to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.
(John 5:26-27)
For
this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I
may take it again. "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay
it down on My own initiative. I have authority
to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This
commandment I received from My Father.
(John 10:17-18)
Jesus
spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said,
"Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may
glorify You, even as You gave Him authority
over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give
eternal life. (John
17:1-2)
"For
I also am a man under authority,
with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and
to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he
does it." (Matthew
8:9)
He
said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which
the Father has fixed by His own authority.
(Acts 1:7)
But
he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has
authority
over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his
own virgin daughter, he will do well.
(1 Corinthians 7:37)
I
say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body
and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you
whom to fear: fear the one who, after he has killed, has authority
to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him!
(Luke 12:4-5) (We have authority to determine our destiny!)
Examples
of relating to worldly, counterfeit authority.
So
they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in
order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could
deliver Him to the rule and the authority
of the governor.
(Luke 20:20)
Then
Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders
who had come against Him, "Have you come out with swords and
clubs as you would against a robber? While I was with you daily in
the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power
of darkness are yours."
(Luke 22:52-53)
And
when he learned that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction,
he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.
(Luke 23:7)
So
Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know
that I have authority
to release You, and I have authority
to crucify You?" Jesus answered, "You would have no
authority
over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he
who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."
(John 19:10-11)
Every
person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority
except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Therefore whoever resists authority
has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will
receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of
fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of
authority?
Do what is good and you will have praise from the same.
(Romans 13:1-3)
And
this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of
the saints in prisons, having received authority
from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I
cast my vote against them.
(Acts 26:10)
Although
he was abused, he never tried to get even,
when he suffered, he
threatened no retaliation,
but left everything to
the one who judges fairly.
(1 Peter 2:23 CEV, NET, GW)
Confusion
about the two versions
of authority.
But
Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to
the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While
it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was
sold, was it not under your control?
Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have
not lied to men but to God."
(Acts 5:3-4)
Now
when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of
the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give this
authority
to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive
the Holy Spirit."
(Acts 8:18-19)
True
authority is connected with rights.
Or
does not the potter have a right
over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable
use and another for common use?
(Romans 9:21)
Do
we not have a right
to eat and drink? Do we not have a right
to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and
the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I not
have a right
to refrain from working?
If
others share the right
over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right,
but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the
gospel of Christ.
What
then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the
gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right
in the gospel. (1
Corinthians 9:4-6, 12, 18)
But
take care that this liberty
of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
(1 Corinthians
8:9)
For
even if I boast somewhat further about our authority,
which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I
will not be put to shame.
(2 Corinthians 10:8)
...nor
did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and
hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a
burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right
to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that
you would follow our example.
(2 Thessalonians
3:8-9)
We
have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right
to eat. (Hebrews 13:10)
Choosing
and acknowledging
authority.
To
the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory,
majesty, dominion and authority,
before all time and now and forever. Amen.
(Jude 1:25)
Therefore
the woman ought to have a symbol of authority
on her head, because of the angels.
(1 Corinthians
11:10)
Switching
from one authority system to the other.
...in
which you formerly walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power
of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of
disobedience. (Ephesians
2:2)
For
He rescued us from the domain
of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.
(Colossians 1:13)
For
our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual
forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
(Ephesians 6:12)
...to
open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from
the dominion
of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an
inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.
(Acts 26:18)
Examples
of worldly
authority
at work.
I
looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name
Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority
was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and
with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.
(Revelation 6:8)
Then
out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power
was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
(Revelation 9:3)
They
have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their
power
to hurt men for five months.
(Revelation 9:10)
For
the power
of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails
are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.
(Revelation 9:19)
These
have the power
to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of
their prophesying; and they have power
over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with
every plague, as often as they desire.
(Revelation 11:6)
And
the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like
those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the
dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.
I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound
was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the
beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority
to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like
the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?" There was
given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and
authority
to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth
in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle,
that is, those who dwell in heaven. It was also given to him to make
war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority
over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.
(Revelation 13:2-7)
He
exercises all the authority
of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those
who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was
healed. (Revelation
13:12)
Then
another angel, the one who has power
over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice
to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Put in your sharp
sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because
her grapes are ripe."
(Revelation 14:18)
The
ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a
kingdom, but they receive authority
as kings with the beast for one hour.
(Revelation 17:12)
The
ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a
kingdom, but they receive authority
as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and
they give their power and authority
to the beast.
(Revelation 17:12-13)
The
history of authority.
For
by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
authorities--all
things have been created through Him and for Him.
(Colossians 1:16)
Then
God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our
likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the
birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over
every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
(Genesis 1:26)
And
the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain
and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to
whomever I wish."
(Luke 4:6)
When
He had disarmed the rulers and authorities,
He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through
Him. (Colossians 2:15)
And
Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority
has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all
that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age."
(Matthew 28:18-20)
Have this
attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although
He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a
thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a
bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the
point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God
highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every
name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who
are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue
will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
(Philippians
2:5-11)
...which
He brought about 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 every name that is named, not only in
this age but also in the one to come.
(Ephesians 1:20-21)
Jesus
Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven,
after angels and authorities
and powers had been subjected to Him.
(1 Peter 3:22)
...He
is the head over all rule and authority.
(Colossians 2:10)
After
these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having
great authority,
and the earth was illumined with his glory.
(Revelation 18:1)
Blessed
and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over
these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him
for a thousand years.
(Revelation 20:6)
Then
I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and
the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority
of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been
thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
(Revelation 12:10)
...then
comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father,
when He has abolished all rule and all authority
and power. (1
Corinthians 15:24)
Blessed
are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right
to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
(Revelation 22:14)
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