This blog post comes on an important day in the Christian view of history. Today is Ascension Day, the day we commemorate Christ's taking his place at the right hand of the Father. Ponder scriptures like these:

Psalm 47:9, "The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted."

Notice the change from plural to collective singular. The peoples become the people of God. And the military metaphors. The princes of those peoples, by implication, recognize that their power comes from and belongs to God. Their shields belong to God. He is the final authority. 

"Matthew 28:18, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

When Christians read verses like Psalm 47:9, we recognize that Christ is the fulfillment of that vision. Matthew 28:18 is a good example of the reason why we think so. Indeed, the whole New Testament orients itself around the conviction that Christ is Lord. He...