All Authority in Heaven
Back to 1The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked!
The end of Jesus’ statement explaining that authority would come to the disciples—He had “all authority,” and thus could give it—carries the real promise that He would be with them always. Not only would His authority reside with them, but there is clear evidence that His very real power would accompany it. The Greek word translated “authority” in this passage is exousia, and it means both power and authority. In fact, the King James Version we saw stated, “All power is given unto Me…”
It is consistent then that in more of the Matthew 28:1-20 conversation, found in Acts 1:1-26, Jesus explained that “power” would be given to the apostles. He was simply reiterating the equation of power accompanying authority, and vice-versa, referenced in Luke 4:36 and 9:1.
Both of these crucial elements in the apostles’ ministry were to be given them on Pentecost. This was the Holy Day in which the Holy Spirit was to be first given to large numbers. Of course, this meant that there would be an immediate need for responsible authority with power to be in place within the governance of the Church, as well as in the preaching of the gospel to every nation. The day of Pentecost symbolized this remarkable beginning, as Jesus built His New Testament Church. He had tosimultaneously give it the two most important keys to its survival through the ages—power andauthority! Just imagine the administrative challenge of managing 3,000 converts (plus mates and children) arriving on the Church’s first day in existence!
At Christ’s Return
God’s people know that when the kingdom of God arrives, and the saints begin their rule with Christ, the government of God will be established over all nations. Truly, this government will have all power and all authority under it. The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah to the Jews) pictures this event, with the three other annual fall Feast days picturing other events from this point forward that occur through the rest of God’s Plan over the next 1,000 years, and beyond.
God’s people also realize that the governments of men will soon be replaced by the governing Family of God, called the kingdom of God. But Paul describes this in a way that puts what we have just examined in a very different light. And it has everything to do with how the government of God works—both from the outset of the Millennium forward, and within the Church that Jesus built 2,000 years ago!
Here is what was written to those in Corinth in what is often thought of as the “resurrection chapter” about the first order of business with the arrival of the kingdom of God. Note well this extraordinary passage: “Then comes the end, when He [Jesus Christ] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (I Cor. 15:24).
This is a fascinating verse. It reveals that Christ, with the newly resurrected saints, must dispel or “put down”—Daniel 2:44 states, “break in pieces”—all the ruling governments of men, wherein rests power and authority derived solely from human origin, backed by Satan.
We focus on “rule,” “authority” and “power.” The word “rule” comes from the Greek arche, from which comes our word arch. Of course, an arch is a bridge above something. The word translated “authority” is exousia—and the word translated “power” is dunamis. This is the same word translated “power” in II Timothy 1:7, describing what each Christian receives at baptism. It is also the same word that is translated “strength” within the description of the Philadelphian era of the Church (Rev. 3:7-13). It is certainly true that the overall rule of men, with their governments, does “arch” above every form of human authority and power held today. But not for much longer.
All of men’s governments, whether over nations (including the United Nations) or religions, the returning Jesus Christ and the glorified saints will “put down,” meaning to “abolish, cease, destroy, do away, make of no effect, bring to naught, vanish away and make void.” From that time forward, there will be no more authority ever again in the universe other than God’s government!
Signs, Wonders and Miracles
A final point must yet be introduced. Jesus understood there had to be an additional special means that distinguished His servants from all imposters, counterfeits and deceivers. The Bible reveals thereis such special evidence. This forms some of the evidence of where God’s government is found—and at work today.
Paul’s ministry demonstrated “signs and wonders and mighty deeds” (II Cor. 12:12). The Greek words in this text are again fascinating to understand—and deeply sobering—when we tie them in a moment to the greatest time of deception the world will ever see!
The word translated “sign” comes from semeion and means “an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally: miracle, sign, token, wonder.” The word translated “wonders” is teras, and it simply means “a prodigy, omen—wonder.” (A prodigy is a phenomenon.) The phrase “mighty deeds” is also translated from dunamis, with this longer definition than that given earlier: “force…specifically miraculous power (usually…a miracle itself): mighty deed, (worker of) miracle(s), power, strength.”
Mark’s account of what was said to the apostles in Matthew 28:19-20 clarifies and strengthens Matthew: “And He [Jesus] said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature…and these signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:15, 17-18).
All of this is critically important to comprehend for all who would be true followers of Christ. Remember, the Bible warns of imposters—false teachers, false prophets, false apostles and even false christs—coming as “angels of light,” who will deceive those who “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (II Thes. 2:10). This will then result in countless millions—tragically, some of God’s people among them—being sent “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” The subject becomes more serious.
All of this is connected to falling under the seduction of the final False Prophet who works miracles and influences the masses in the presence of the Beast “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2The 2:9). The words “power,” “signs” and “lying wonders” here tell a chilling story. All derive from the very same words—dunamis, semeion and teras—used to describe the power, signs and wonders performed by God’s true servants.
How is one to distinguish a counterfeiter who is performing false signs, and lying wonders and miracles, from true servants of God doing the exact same things?
Healings, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues, discerning of spirits (for the purpose of casting out demons), among others, are all listed as gifts given by Christ exclusively within His “Body”—the true Church—the only place where He is infusing power and authority! Take time to read I Corinthians 12:1-31.
The point? There will be two kinds of supernatural events occurring through the end of the age. They will both involve signs, wonders and miracles, and they will often look alike to the untrained observer. In fact, false miracles will likely be far more dramatic in size and scope to the world than true ones largely happening relatively quietly within the true Church.
How then is one to know if they are true or false? Certainly not through the Greek definitions, which show that these things are the same, whether true or false! Obviously, Satan cannot perform healings, which are the forgiveness of sins (he can certainly counterfeit them with gimmicks—“lying” healings), but he is capable of many other “miracles.” The False Prophet will soon prove this, and close every doubter’s mouth.
There is only one way—one thing that will protect you from the final strong delusion that will soon strike the whole world (II Thes. 2:11). You must know where is the Church of God, where Jesus Christ is Head.