You Who Have Followed Me

…Peter said…See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “…when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel…many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Matthew 19:27-30

After the rich, young man departed sorrowfully, which the Disciples witnessed, Peter says to Jesus that they had left everything to follow Him and Peter wanted to know what the Disciples will have when Jesus sits on His throne. In His answer, Jesus tells the Disciples that each one of them will sit upon a throne judging the 12 tribes of Israel. At this point, let us consider the Apostle John’s description of the Holy City in the book of Revelation. John, in Revelation 21:14, describes the New Jerusalem as it descends from Heaven to a position near the New Earth. John writes that New Jerusalem has walls, upon whose foundations are written the names of the 12 Apostles of the Lamb. Earlier, in Revelation 4:4, John writes of 24 thrones that were around the Throne of the Living God Incarnate. That would be Jesus, the Lamb slain from before the foundation of this creation. The 24 thrones are occupied by 24 “elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.” So, Jesus is telling His Disciples that they will sit on thrones, subordinate to Him, and rule with Him. But, there are 24 thrones and only 12 Disciples which begs the question who sits on the other 12 thrones. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul alludes to the foundations of the church made from the Prophets (Old Testament) and the Apostles (New Testament). Though this is not definitive, it tells us much of the men of God throughout the Holy Scriptures and their eternal positions in Heaven. Jesus ends His discussion with His Disciples by telling them, and all Christians, that everyone, who has left property, family and, friends, will inherit 100 times what was given up as well as eternal life! Praise our Triune God for all that He has done for those who love and obey Him! May His name be glorified for eternity!

Source: S C Ball March 11, 2023