Question from a reader:

In Heaven, Randy writes, “Jesus said, ‘I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel’ (Luke 22:29-30).This is an astounding statement, one that should cause us to pause in wonder. Christ is conferring to us a kingdom? A kingdom? To us?”

Why did you think Christ is conferring a kingdom to us? Isn’t Jesus preparing His disciples for when He leaves, and is speaking directly to them, not to us? After all, one verse earlier says, “You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials” (Luke 22:28).

Answer from Stephanie Anderson, EPM staff:

The answer to your question is “yes”—Jesus is preparing His disciples for when He ascends, and He is speaking directly to them. But they also are representing Christ’s future church, and therefore all believers.

While it is true that the Apostles are historically unique, and there may be a literal connection of the 12 Apostles with the 12 tribes they are to rule, the notion of all God’s children (not just the Apostles) being in potential positions of ruling in God’s Kingdom is very clear in other passages. 

We are told in multiple other places in Scripture that His people will reign with Christ, and He will bestow His Kingdom on us, where we will eat and drink with Him: “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him” (Daniel 7:27). “If we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). The Beatitudes also tell God’s people that theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. And we’re told we will even judge angels: “Do you not know that we will judge angels?” (1 Corinthians 6:3).

See also the article God’s Kingdom . . . and Ours and the video Reigning of the Saints: Daniel 7:18.