S. E. asks a good question:
“I’m confused. I thought those who are saved but are homosexuals, murderers, or adulterers would not rule or reign [though they’d be in the kingdom]. If so, does that mean King David will be excluded from reigning with Christ? Thank you. I listen to you every day on the radio.”
S. E. is referring to three vice lists in the NT that state: “…those who practice [or do] such things will not inherit the kingdom God” (Gal 5:19-21); “…no fornicator…has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph 5:5-7); or “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Cor 6:9-11). Those lists specifically mention fornicators–which would include adulterers–and murderers (Gal 5:21). (See here for a 20-page journal article I wrote on Gal 5:19-21).
The answer is that those vice lists refer to a believer’s current experience of spiritual bondage. While all believers are free from sin’s bondage in our positions (Rom 6:18), believers can fall and become enslaved in sin in our experience (John 8:31-32; Rom 6:12-13). If a believer is walking in the darkness (e.g., Luke 15:11-24) at the time of his death or the Rapture, he will not rule with Christ (Matt 24:45-51; Luke 19:20-26; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 2:26). The three vice lists are not referring to one’s past.
Sinful acts do not disqualify the believer from ruling. But if we are like the prodigal son–living in the spiritual far country–and we die in that condition, then we will not rule.
King Solomon died as an idolator (1 Kings 11:1-13). Therefore, he will not rule with Christ.
David did not die as an adulterer or a murderer. He had committed those sins in his past and was probably out of fellowship with the Lord for nearly a year afterwards (2 Sam 12:1-15; Ps 32:3-4; cf. Psalm 51). But after being confronted by Nathan the prophet, he repented (2 Sam 12:13), was restored to fellowship, and continued to walk in the light until his death.
Ezekiel tells us that David will be “their [Israel’s] prince” in the kingdom to come (Ezek 34:24; 37:25). That means that he will be Jesus’ right-hand man. He will not only rule with Christ, but will also be the second-in-command.
There is much grace in God’s dealings with us. If that were not so, then none of us could have everlasting life, and no believer would rule with Christ in the life to come.
