Authority
After all this, I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. Revelation 18:1 (NLT)
As I read this passage today, the word “authority” caught my attention. It makes me think about the legitimate right someone has to establish laws, give instructions, and—most importantly—the power to enforce those instructions. In this case, it is an angel descending with the delegated authority of God, and his impact is so great that the earth is illuminated by his splendor. But this also makes me think about the authority that Jesus Christ has given to us, His Church, while we are in this world.
- We receive authority to heal the sick.
Jesus did not only call us to have compassion; He gave us power and authority to act. As we read in Mark 16, one of the signs that will follow those who believe is that they will lay hands on the sick, and they will be healed.
- We receive authority to cast out demons.
In Luke 9:1, Jesus gathered the Twelve and “gave them power and authority to cast out all demons.” This same authority has been entrusted to us. We should not fear the enemy but rather exercise the authority Christ has given us over him.
- We receive authority to preach the gospel.
The command to “go into all the world” was not a suggestion; it was an order backed by divine authority (Mark 16:15). We have God’s authority to proclaim the Good News, knowing that His power backs it.
- We receive authority to baptize.
Part of the Great Commission includes baptizing new believers. This is an authority directly delegated by Jesus to welcome people into the body of Christ and publicly declare their new life.
- We receive authority to pray for miracles.
Our authority allows us to pray with legitimate expectation for miracles. The “miraculous signs” that accompany believers—such as speaking in new languages or being protected from poison—are manifestations of God’s authority working through us.
The angel in Revelation had God’s authority, but the Church does as well. The question we must ask is not whether we have authority, but whether we are exercising it. We cannot be passive believers. We must rise in the authority given to us in the name of Jesus to heal, deliver, and expand the Kingdom of God here on earth.
After all this, I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. Revelation 18:1 (NLT)
Think About It:
- Are you actively exercising the authority Jesus gave you in your daily life?
- Is there any area (healing, evangelism, spiritual warfare) where you have doubted your authority in Christ?
- What step of faith will you take this week to begin exercising the authority that was entrusted to you?