SPECIAL TOPIC: REIGNING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The concept of reigning with Christ is part of the larger theological category called "the Kingdom of God." This is a carryover from the OT concept of God as the true king of Israel (cf. 1 Sam. 8:7). He symbolically reigned (1 Sam. 8:7; 10:17-19) through a descendant from the tribe of Judah (cf. Gen. 49:10) and the family of Jesse (cf. 2 Samuel 7).
Jesus is the promised fulfillment of OT prophecy concerning the Messiah. He inaugurated the Kingdom of God with His incarnation at Bethlehem. The Kingdom of God became the central pillar of Jesus' preaching. The Kingdom had fully come in Him (cf. Matt. 10:7; 11:12; 12:28; Mark 1:15; Luke 10:9,11; 11:20; 16:16; 17:20-21).
However, the Kingdom was also future (eschatological). It was present but not consummated (cf. Matt. 6:10; 8:11; 16:28; 22:1-14; 26:29; Luke 9:27; 11:2; 13:29; 14:10-24; 22:16,18). Jesus came the first time as a suffering servant (cf. Isa. 52:13-53:12); as humble (cf. Zech. 9:9), but He will return as King of Kings (cf. Matt. 2:2; 21:5; 27:11-14). The concept of "reigning" is surely a part of this "kingdom" theology. God has given the kingdom to Jesus' followers (see Luke 12:32).
The concept of reigning with Christ has several aspects and questions.
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF GOD
SPECIAL TOPIC: THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME
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