King of kings

One aspect of our Lord’s birth nearly 2000 years ago centered on His being born a King. More specifically, whether or not He was indeed the one “born King of the Jews.” After all, the magi came to Jerusalem “for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”.

Mt: 2:1,2: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

     A king reigns (rules) over his kingdom with absolute authority. The government of the entire kingdom rests upon the king’s shoulders. The prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of a child who would have the government upon his shoulder. One whose kingdom would be ruled with “judgment and justice from henceforth even forever.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah: 6-7: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Gabriel, the archangel, as he spoke to Mary the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, also said that His kingdom would be without end. Notice also that the one spoken of would reign over the house of Jacob forever. Gabriel specifically mentions the “throne of David” as the throne that this king, the one who would reign over the house of Jacob forever, would occupy.

Luke 1:26-33:

26: And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27: To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28: And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29: And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30: And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

 As great as David was, he eventually gave up the ghost and died. As Peter said on the day of Pentecost, “His sepulcher is yet with us.”

Acts:2:29: Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

Remember the king that the angel Gabriel was talking about would reign over the house of Jacob forever. Of His kingdom, said the archangel, there shall be no end. This is the King who is known scripturally as “the King of kings.”

Rv:17:14: These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

This future war is spoken of in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The Lamb, who is Lord of lords and King of kings, is Jesus Christ. Those that are with Him are called, chosen and faithful.

Rv:1:6: And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

This concept of kings and priests is seen in the priest-king of Salem, Melchisedec, who was a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ. Recall if you will that we are going to be like Christ for we shall see Him as He is.

1Jn:3:2: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1Jn:3:3: And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Remember that the high priest had to cleanse or purify himself before he went into the Tabernacle to minister unto the Lord. This was done on a yearly basis for the sins of the people typifying the atoning sacrifice that was to come. Jesus Christ was that sacrifice therefore He became a High priest forever, in the similitude of Melchisedec. Melchisedec was not only a king he was also a priest of the most-high God.

Gen:14:18: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine. He first ministered to Abraham before he received anything from Abraham. So it is with our Lord Jesus Christ. He comes to us first as a High priest and then we shall know Him as our King. He comes as our Lord (bread provider) and then we shall know Him as our King. He it is that shall make us kings and priests unto God.

Rv:5:10:

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Christians are to be made kings and priests and we shall reign on earth. This, of course, is referring to the millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Rv:20:4:

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Something perhaps many people including Christians don’t realize is that this period of time will be a time of great order. Jesus Christ is not returning to be crucified, He is returning to rule.

Rv:19:11-16:

11: And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12: His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13: And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14: And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15: And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Yes, this King of kings shall rule the nations with a rod of iron. Every nation on the face of the earth shall be under His control.

Rv:11:15:

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The day is fast approaching when Jesus Christ shall return and we shall reign with Him as kings and priests. Let us hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ noting with particular attention of which time He is speaking. For in them we receive great instruction regarding the time that is fast approaching.

Lk:19:12: He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

13: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

14: But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

15: And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16: Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

17: And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

18: And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19: And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

20: And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

21: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

22: And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

23: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

24: And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

25: (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

26: For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

Thus we see how the King of kings will deal with those who believe. Likewise, we know how this King will handle those who defy His rule and reign. Such certainty is rare yet rarity of certainty does not negate the truth. It never has and never will.

27: But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.