Q: I am confused about Psalms 110...Jehovah says to Jesus to sit at his right hand until I place all your enemies as a stool for your feet. He says in verse 2, "Go subduing in the midst of your enemies." Some have said "go and rule," so this is the scripture the WTS uses to say that in 1914 Christ began to rule, as he is at Gods right hand side and is ruling among his enemies.

How can Christ rule among his enemies if he is not here, or is this for a future time? For him to start ruling shouldn't the marriage of the lamb take place first as all the anointed have to be present?

________________________

 A: Psalms 110:1-6 reads:

      The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is: “Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.”

 2 The rod of your strength Jehovah will send out of Zion, [saying:] “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.” ("Rule in the midst of your enemies" —ESV, NASB, Amplified, NIRV, TLB, etc.)

 3 Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. In the splendors of holiness, from the womb of the dawn, You have your company of young men just like dewdrops.

 4 Jehovah has sworn (and he will feel no regret): “You are a priest to time indefinite According to the manner of Melchizedek!”

 5 Jehovah himself at your right hand Will certainly break kings to pieces on the day of his anger.

 6 He will execute judgment among the nations; He will cause a fullness of dead bodies. He will certainly break to pieces the head one over a populous land.

 

Jesus has been sitting at God's right hand since he ascended to heaven, "from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet." (Heb. 1:13; 10:12,13) What does it mean for his enemies to be placed as "a stool for his feet"? The context of Psalms 110:1-6 indicates that it refers to the time when Jesus will war against them and "break [them] to pieces." (Psalms 18:37,38; 47:2,3; Mal. 4:3; Rom. 16:20) Since he has been waiting for this time, it means that this did not happen immediately upon his resurrection to heaven, when he sat down at God's right hand. (Acts 2:32-35; 5:31; Heb. 8:1) When, though, will his enemies be placed as a stool for his feet? The above Psalm answers: "Jehovah himself at your right hand will certainly break kings to pieces on the day of his anger." The word translated as "rule" in many Bible Versions also means to dominate, subdue, prevail over (Strong's 7287a). Jesus rules, or subdues, his enemies when he breaks them to pieces, and crushes them under his feet on the day of God's anger, at Armageddon, as also described in Revelation 19:11-21. He is waiting at God's right hand until then. (Zeph. 1:14-18; Rev. 16:14, 16) Many believe that Jesus started to "rule" over his enemies immediately after his resurrection. After all, did he not tell his disciples shortly before his ascension to heaven: "All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth"? (Matt. 28:18; Acts 1:6,7; 2:32-36) Does this not indicate that Jesus began to rule as king in the midst of his enemies at that time?

When and in what way did Jesus receive "all authority" in "heaven and on earth"? We must be careful not to be tempted to read more into his words than what he actually said. Jesus received all authority from God when he started his ministry and was anointed by holy spirit. (Matt. 3:16,17; John 8:42) The miracles he performed were evidence of having received that authority. (Matt. 11:4,5; John 3:2; 5:36,37; 10:25) He exercised his authority to teach. (Matt. 7:29; John 7:17,18; 12:49) He had authority to forgive sins. (Matt. 9:6-9) He had authority to raise the dead. (John 5:20,21) He had authority over the demons in heaven, and also had the authority to give his disciples such authority. (Matt. 10:1; Luke 9:1; 10:17-19; Job 1:6,7) He had authority to cleanse the temple of the merchants doing business inside. The religious leaders asked Jesus: "By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority." (Matt. 21:12, 23, 27) Yes, Jesus had the authority to do the things he did, including to judge and condemn the scribes and Pharisees. (Matt. 23:27,28, 33; John 5:27) He even had authority over the elements such as a storm. (Mark 4:37-41) Jesus told his disciples that "he that comes from above is over all others," and that "the Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand," explaining that he had received all authority from his Father in order to accomplish the work he had been given, including the authority to lay down his life and receive it back again. (John 10:17,18) Also, Jesus said that he had been given all authority in connection with sending forth his disciples to preach and make yet other disciples, baptizing them and "teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." Yes, he has the authority to send us forth. And this gives us the confidence that no other power on earth has the authority to overrule the authority we have been given by Christ in carrying out our obligation. (compare Matthew 8:8-10; Acts 5:27-29; 10:42)

Jesus received all authority "in heaven and on earth," but at no time did he claim that he had already received the authority to rule as king in God's kingdom upon his resurrection. Rather, by way of illustrations, he often indicated that the time for him to "secure kingly power" was yet far off, like traveling "to a distant land," and "after a long time." (Luke 19:11,12, 15; Matt. 25:14-19) When his disciples asked whether he was restoring the kingdom to Israel at "this time," he simply answered: "It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the time or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction." (Acts 1:6-9) While he was still on earth, even he did not know when that day would be, except that it was far in the future. (Matt. 24:36) After his ascension to heaven, he sat down at his Father's right hand, "from then on" awaiting God's appointed time for him to "go subduing in the midst of [his] enemies." Because of this lack of a definite answer as to time, there has been much speculation throughout the centuries regarding what the kingdom is, and the timing of Jesus' rule. Many dates have been set. For example, the Catholic Church believes that Christ's kingdom of a thousand years has already come and gone. C. T. Russell, the first president of the Watchtower Society, and a few others, preached that Jesus had returned in 1874, when his presence—parousia—began, and he started to rule "in the midst of his enemies." Russell also calculated that this time period would extent for forty years, until 1914, when he expected the "gentile times" to end and God's kingdom would replace all worldly governments. When the Great War of 1914-1918 did not lead into Armageddon, J. F. Rutherford, who succeeded Russell as president, changed the year 1874 to the now familiar 1914 as the time of Christ's invisible return; and postponed Armageddon for an unspecified number of years, but still within the generation of that year. (This too needed to be re-interpreted when the "generation" time period expired in the mid 1990's.) Rutherford now taught that World War I and the world's troubles that followed indeed proved that Jesus had at last arrived and he was now ruling in the midst of his enemies. An entire set of doctrines has been built upon this foundation.

If the world's troubles since 1914 do in fact fulfill Jesus' sign regarding the "conclusion of the system of things" and the time for his return, then, according to Jesus' own words, we "know that he is near at the doors," and we "know that the kingdom of God is near." This is quite different from being actually here, as is being taught. (Matt. 24:3, 32,33; Luke 21:29-31; NWT)


It goes without saying that Jesus does not start to rule until he actually receives his rulership. When does he receive the authority to rule in the midst of his enemies? The prophet Daniel provides the answer when he saw in vision "with the clouds of the heavens someone like a son of man happened to be coming; and to the Ancient of Days he gained access, and they brought him up close even before that One. And to him there were given rulership and dignity and kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him. His rulership is an indefinitely lasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be brought to ruin." (Daniel 7:13,14) According to the same vision, the rulership that the "son of man" receives means the end of the rulership of the kings of the earth, for "their rulerships were taken away." Yes, it means their "total" annihilation and destruction. That is what is indicated when it says in the Psalms that his enemies will be placed as a stool for his feet; and that he will "rule" over (go subduing) them; or that he "will break them with an iron scepter, as though a potter's vessel [he] will dash them to pieces." (Dan. 7:11,12, 26; 2:44; Psalms 2:6, 8,9) Further, according to Daniel's vision, Jesus receives his rulership in connection with the time when the holy ones receive their rulership along with him, for "the Ancient of days came and judgment itself was given in favor of the holy ones of the Supreme One, and the definite time arrived that the holy ones took possession of the kingdom itself." (Daniel 7:18, 22, 27; Rev. 20:4,6)

Also, the apostle John saw the establishment of God's kingdom in his own vision, and it harmonizes with that of the prophet Daniel: "And the seventh angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying: 'The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.' And the twenty-four elders who were seated before God upon their thrones fell upon their faces and worshiped God, saying: 'We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king. But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give [their] reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Rev. 11:15,16; compare Psalms 2:1-9) In view of all this, it is evident that Jesus did not begin to rule in the midst of his enemies immediately upon his ascension to heaven, for his enemies are still very much in control of ruling this earth, and have been for the past two thousand years. And just think: If Jesus has indeed already been ruling in the midst of his enemies during all this time, as many claim, would he not share in the guilt of all the wars with their atrocities, the bloodshed, suffering, and extermination of peoples, that the nations have been guilty of, by not exercising his authority to intervene and stopping them? (2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 16:14,16; 19:11-21)

The present evidence of the signs that Jesus gave indicates that the time for his return in kingdom glory must be close at hand; especially when we are witnessing present developments within God’s own household that were prophesied to take shape shortly before his return. (Matt. 24:33) We know that Jesus has not yet sat down on his glorious throne, for there are definite events that must take place in connection with his return that we are still awaiting, including the identifying of the faithful slave and removal of the wicked slave. —Matt. 13:39-42; 24:45-51; 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 2:8.

----------------------
As to your other question: For him to start ruling shouldn't the marriage of the lamb take place first as all the anointed have to be present?

When does the marriage of the Lamb take place? Before or after Jesus comes with all his angels and sits down on his glorious throne? (Matt. 25:31; Rev. 19:6-9) Paul speaks of Christ’s return, “at the time he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones.” (2 Thess. 1:6-10) This will take place after the destruction of “the kings of the earth and their armies,” and the abyssing of Satan. John explains in the Revelation he was given:

“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 And he hurled him into the abyss and shut [it] and sealed [it] over him, that he might not mislead the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After these things he must be let loose for a little while. 4 And I saw thrones, and there were those who sat down on them, and power of judging was given them. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed with the ax for the witness they bore to Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had worshiped neither the wild beast nor its image and who had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of verse 5 is an interpolation.) 6 Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.” —Rev. 20:1-6; 1 Thess. 4:13-17.

 

It is after Satan is thrown into the abyss that the first resurrection takes place. (Rev. 20:1-6) This is contrary to what many believe, for, after all, does the account in Revelation chapter 19 not place the wedding as occurring before the "King of kings and Lord of lords" rides into battle with his heavenly armies against the kings of the earth and their armies (the Watchtower even suggesting that the holy ones will ride into battle along with the heavenly armies)? (Rev. 19:11-21; Dan. 2:44) The Scriptures regarding the "first resurrection" and the "marriage of the Lamb" do not contradict each other as to time. Concerning the marriage of the Lamb, it simply notes that it will take place in connection with the time when the announcement is heard, "Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as king." (Rev. 19:6,7) For obvious reason, the marriage cannot take place before the first resurrection, which makes possible the full number of the ones making up the bride to be present; which will not take place until after Satan is bound; which will not happen until after Babylon the Great is "completely burned with fire," and the nations are destroyed at Armageddon. (Rev. 17:15-17; 19:1-3, 6,7) Jehovah begins to rule as king by means of his Messianic king, when his enthroned Son Christ Jesus rides forth against his enemies to "break them with an iron scepter." (Rev. 11:17,18; Psalms 2:1-9; 110:1,2) It is only after his conquest that the holy ones "will rule as kings with him for the thousand years" of peace, when the "new heaven and a new earth" replace "the former heaven and the former earth." (Rev. 20:6; 21:1-4)

The apostle Paul explains the sequence of events. Jesus comes from heaven with his powerful angels to bring "vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction." It is not before, but rather at that time, that "he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder in connection with all those who exercised faith." (2 Thess. 1:6-10) Therefore, the glorification of the bride is shown as taking place after the destruction of the wicked.

Further, Paul explains that all of the holy ones will together, at the same time, be united with their Lord:

 

"Moreover, brothers, we do not want YOU to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping [in death]; that YOU may not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope. 14 For if our faith is that Jesus died and rose again, so, too, those who have fallen asleep [in death] through Jesus God will bring with him. 15 For this is what we tell YOU by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord shall in no way precede those who have fallen asleep [in death]; 16 because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. 17 Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with [the] Lord." —1 Thess. 4:13-17.

 According to Paul, none who are in union with Christ—his bride—will precede any of their brothers when it comes to being united with Jesus. None of them will “[begin] ruling as kings” apart from their brothers. There is the one marriage, taking place only when they are all present. (1 Cor. 4:8; Rev. 14:1-4) Those “who are dead in union with Christ" will need to be resurrected first, they will come to life “during his presence,” “during the last trumpet.” That is the first resurrection! It will make it possible for the holy ones who had died to join the ones who survive until the presence of the Lord, and then together, all of them will be raised to their heavenly reward at the same time. That is still future! Exactly how that will be fulfilled remains to be seen, but Jesus foretold: "And they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity." (Matt. 24:30,31) The apostle Paul explains further: "Look! I tell you a sacred secret: We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible; and we shall be changed." (1 Cor. 15:20,23, 51,52; Rev. 20:6)

The "marriage of the Lamb" cannot take place until all the members of the "bride" are together, alive, made possible by the first resurrection; and then all of them together, are "caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus [they] shall always be with the Lord." (Rev. 19:7,8) They will all be priests and rule as kings for the same period of time, namely, a "thousand years." And of course, their rule as kings will not begin until first Christ will have crushed and put an end to all earthly kingdoms. (Dan. 2:44) Therefore the Scriptures do no allow for some of the anointed to be resurrected and ruling ahead of their brothers, contrary to what some are teaching.—compare 2 Timothy 2:16-18. 


 

www.perimeno.ca/Index_A.htm