Christ, as the Son of God, has always had the power to rule this world. But after he was resurrected, he ascended to his throne in heaven at the right hand of the Father where he said he would be from then on. Christ is currently Lord-elect of this world, waiting for his Father to determine his inauguration day at the beginning of the millennium. When he does rule the world, he will do so from his throne in heaven. As the Creator of this world, he does not need to return to this earth at the beginning of the millennium to establish his messianic kingdom and reign of justice. He returns after this 1,000-year restoration and sits on his throne in heaven to judge mankind, rewarding his people with eternal life in his Father’s eternal kingdom and punishing unbelievers with eternal condemnation in the lake of fire.
