Don Stewart :: What Will Be the Ministry of Jesus Christ in the Future?

What Will Be the Ministry of Jesus Christ in the Future?

The Ascension of Jesus and His Present Ministry as High Priest – Question 5

Jesus’ past ministry in the world consisted of living a perfect life, dying for the sins of the world, and coming back from the dead. His present ministry is looking out for those who believe in Him. Indeed, He is our great high priest who intercedes to God the Father on behalf of us.

The Bible also has much to say about His future ministry. We can make the following observations concerning Jesus Christ and the future.

1. Jesus Will Return to Earth

Jesus Christ has promised to come to earth a second time. On the night of His betrayal, He said to His disciples,

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1-3 NRSV)

He promised to come again to the earth for those who are His. This is the great promise for those who believe in Him.

2. He Will Raise the Dead

When Jesus Christ returns to the earth, He will raise the dead. Jesus made the following claim for Himself:

Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. (John 5:28, 29 NIV)

The power to raise the dead belongs to Jesus. He will do this when He returns to the earth the second time.

3. Jesus Will Judge All Humanity

After the dead are raised Jesus Christ will judge humanity. Jesus Himself made this claim. We read about it in Matthew’s gospel:

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. (Matthew 25:31-33 NRSV)

Jesus will be the judge of humanity; He has that right.

4. Jesus Will Rule Forever

He will also rule forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This will fulfill the promise that the angel Gabriel made to Mary when he told her of the coming birth of Jesus. He said,

He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:32, 33 CEV)

Jesus Christ will rule as King and Lord forever and ever. There will be no end to His kingdom. What a wonderful promise this is from God!

In sum, there are a number of things for which to look forward with respect to the future ministry of Christ.

Summary – Question 5
What Will Be the Ministry of Jesus Christ in the Future?

There has been a past ministry of Jesus Christ and there is also a present ministry of Christ. Scripture also says that there will be a future ministry for Jesus Christ. It includes the following.

Jesus Christ has promised to come again to this earth. As He was leaving this world by ascending into heaven an angel told His disciples that Jesus would return in the same manner in which He left this world. The hope of believers has always been the second coming of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus returns to this earth, He will raise the dead. This authority has been granted to Him by God the Father.

Jesus Christ will judge all humanity. Judgment is something which has been committed to God the Son.

Finally, we are told that Christ then rule forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What a glorious future that will be!