The Saints and their Governmental Authority over Kingdoms in the Millennial Reign

Because of the many messianic prophecies that God will raise a king that will restore the kingdom of Israel and will lead his people in righteousness, the disciples were eager to see that come to pass on Jesus' first coming. 

Isaiah 32:1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.

Ezekiel 37:24 My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes.

Hoseah 3:5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.

That is why the disciples asked Jesus if he was about to restore the kingdom to Israel and become their king. (Acts 1:6-8 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”) However, Jesus told his disciples that they did not have to worry about the immediate restoration of Israel’s physical kingdom. Instead, they needed to take on the task of expanding God’s spiritual kingdom. Although the saints have the promise to rule over nations physically during the kingdom of the Messiah, the saints first have the task to build God’s spiritual temple. Christ’s physical kingdom cannot come until his spiritual kingdom becomes established first through the inclusion of the gentiles into God’s family, and until those gentiles reach their fullness so all Israel can come to salvation. 

The very reason why Christ did not establish his kingdom on his first coming and why the hearts of the Jews were hardened was for the purpose of including the gentiles in God’s family. Once those gentiles are included and reach their fullness, God will use them to provoke Israel into jealousy and to save Israel. 

Romans 11:11-12 Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

Romans 11:25-26 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved.

Paul also highlights the importance of knowing that it was part of God’s plan to include the gentiles in the promises for Israel. Those promises include salvation and governmental authority. 

Ephesians 3:3-6 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.

However, the kingdoms of the earth do not belong to the holy ones yet, but upon Christ's return, the kingdoms will actually be given to Christ the Messiah and to the Saints. Yes, the saints who overcome will have governmental authority over the nations in the age to come. But the appointed time has not come yet. That governmental authority will be given to us at the end of the age once we have reached the statue of Christ as a global body and once jew and gentile enter their fullness as the one new man.

Daniel 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. 

Daniel 7:25-27 The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. 26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’

Revelation 2:6 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.

Right before the end of the age, there will be a catalyst that will bring the church into the fullness of Christ, causing the provocation of jealousy of Israel and thus bringing them into salvation. During this time, the Antichrist will harshly persecute believers and Jews and it will appear that he is defeating them. But once both Jews and gentile reach the fullness of Christ, the Ancient of Days will pronounce judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and at that time the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. Christ will restore the kingdom to Israel and his kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.

Daniel 7;21-22 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. 

Daniel 7:25-27 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. 26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’