Jesus Reigns from Heaven, Futurists Say He Doesn’t

Is Jesus Reigning Right Now or Still Waiting?

For two thousand years, Christians have been singing “Jesus is King!” and for two thousand years, futurists have been interrupting the chorus to say, “Well… not yet.”

Apparently, when Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18), He meant “All authority pending future paperwork.”

If that were true, then heaven must still be running on Windows XP.

For the Record

Some futurists will quickly say, “We never claimed Jesus isn’t reigning. He’s just not reigning on earth yet.”
Translation: He has the crown, the throne, and “all authority in heaven and on earth,” but earth must still be on backorder.
The New Testament never describes two separate reigns. Jesus reigns from heaven over earth. Paul wrote that He is seated “far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:21). Heaven’s throne is not a waiting room.

The Throne He Already Sits On

Psalm 110:1–2 predicted it long before Bethlehem: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
Peter did not put that in the “someday” folder. On Pentecost he said it already happened: “Being exalted to the right hand of God… God has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:33–36).

Daniel saw the same coronation scene: “One like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven… and there was given Him dominion, glory, and a kingdom” (Daniel 7:13–14).
That is past tense in heaven’s timeline. Jesus ascended, was crowned, and began to reign from His throne.

But Satan Still Rules the World, Right?

That is cute. Revelation 12 says Satan was thrown down. Jesus Himself said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the ruler of this world be cast out” (John 12:31).
Ephesians 1:20–22 says Christ was seated “far above all rule and authority.”

So unless “far above” actually means “barely above,” the devil is not in charge. He is on a leash. The only people still giving him power are the ones preaching that he is running the show.

What About the Millennium?

Revelation 1:5–6 already calls believers “a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.” John was not writing a wish list. He was reporting reality.
By Revelation 11:15, the declaration rings out: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.”

If that is still future, someone should tell John he jumped the gun two thousand years early.

The Real Question

If Jesus is not reigning yet, why did Stephen see Him standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56)?
Why did Paul say He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25)?

Maybe the problem is not Christ’s kingship. Maybe it is the modern habit of confusing our unbelief with His unfinished business.

Your Turn

If Jesus is already King of kings, what exactly are people waiting for, a second coronation?

The truth is simple. Jesus reigns now. The only throne left to topple is the one we built for our doubt.