Christ the King.

INTRODUCTION


God`s word is an unfolding revelation of the Son of God. He is the commencement, center and consummation of the entire record. Without Him there would be no structure, plan or purpose for the scriptures.

At the beginning of the Bible, the book of Genesis traces everything to its primal source and moral commencement; at the end, in the book of the Revelation, everything is seen directing to final consummation and moral conclusion.

Mosaic - Foreshadow. (Gen. - Deut.)

History - Foresee. (Joshua - Esther)

Philosophical - Foreknow. (Job - S on Sol.)

Prophets - Foretell. (Isa. - Mal.)

Christ`s Earthly Ministry. (Matt. - John)

Christ in His Body. (Acts - Jude)

Christ`s Heavenly Glorification. (Rev.)

The four visions (of the Revelation) present the complement and completion to the ministry of Christ as recorded in the four Gospels.

Matthew (king) - Rev. Vision 1. (Christ the Head of the Body.)

Mark (Heir) - Rev. Vision 2. (Christ the Heir of all things.)

Luke (Priest) - Rev. Vision 3. (Christ the Priest/Mediator.)

John (Deity) - Rev. Vision 4. (Christ the Judge and Maker of all things New.)



In the 4 visions of Revelation there are no fewer than three hundred and thirty (330) references to the figures, symbols, types, shadows, persons and places of the Old Testament.

These include the Throne, the Priest, the Prophet, and the King. All are required to unveil Jesus Christ who is the word of God.

Let us now look at one of these titles to come to know more of our Lord and Saviour -

Christ the King.

THE GODHEAD


The title, the Son of God, denotes identity with deity, which means infinity of being. This reveals the Son`s status in the Godhead. The terms Father, Son in relation to God were not borrowed from their usage in parenthood of this world. Such relationships existed in the celestial before the world began.

These terms in our human sphere relate to a senior and a minor, however in relation to the Godhead there is no such subordination. Father and Son in Godhead connote the express image of -

• Personality -
• (who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His (Father`s) person, ..Heb. 1: 3)
• 
  
• Equal in mind, will and heart -
• (Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” John 10: 30)
• 
  
• In Unity, -
• (Jesus said, “that they may be in me, as you, Father are in me, and I in you; John 17: 21)

Then in FUNCTION there is a hierarchy. (Gen. 1: 1 & 2, Col. 1: 16, Heb. 1: 1 & 2)

Divine Procession.


Godhead - At the source there is the provision by the whole Godhead,

Father - with the initial movement of the Father;

Son - the administration of the Son;

Holy Spirit - and the direct agency of the Holy Spirit.



All the Godhead is involved in their plans and purposes.

THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST

CHRIST THE KING.


A king is the sovereign ruler of a nation with great power and authority. He is usually part of a royal family line and anointed by others in authority.

Now there is a sense in which Christ inherited the title `King,` from His identifying Himself with the house of David and the tribe of Judah in the nation of Israel. Such connections, however, do by no means fully explain His kingly power and royal nature.

His kingly authority is underived, His kingly majesty in unconferred, and His kingly glory unimparted on the basis of this world`s standards. Christ was King before the world began.

When manifested on earth as a man, Christ introduced into kingship, authority over unseen powers, disease and death, and the natural and moral realms. A new ministry of mercy and mediation for the needs of mankind was revealed. Also the laws of the universe were under the control of His omnipotent hand.

Christ`s dominion is eternal, He knows no successor and there can never be a usurper to undermine His throne of righteousness. His credentials as Ruler are complete; conqueror of sin and death. His capabilities as King are of the highest order; He lay down His life for mankind. All these qualifications are totally independent of earth`s temporal systems of legislation and administration.

Let`s look more into Christ the King and His wondrous 7 titles of Kingship.

King of Glory. (Ps. 24: 7)

King of heaven. (Dan. 4: 37)

King of the Ages. (1 Tim. 1: 17)

King of Righteousness. (Heb. 7: 1 – 3)

King of the Jews. (Matt. 2: 2)

King of Israel. (John 1 : 49)

King Priest. (Heb. 6: 20)

King of the Nations. (Rev. 15: 3)


And finally King of Kings..... (Rev. 19: 16)

King of Glory.

Glory - Gk. `doxa,` dignity, glory, honour and worship.

Glory is the crowning diadem of all the attributes of deity.

God`s word reveals that - holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, goodness, graciousness, loving-kindness and all such virtues are glory crowned.

`The Lord of Hosts He is the King of glory.` (Ps. 24: 10)

`the Lord of glory..` (James 2: 1)

`to the praise of the glory of His grace.` (Eph. 1: 6)

`you crowned Him with glory and honour...` (Heb. 2: 7)

`O worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness.` (Ps. 96: 9)


Beauty - Heb. `hadarah,` meaning splendour, comeliness, honour, majesty, excellence, glorious, glory.



Christ`s character is the fullness of the Godhead.

`the Son....being the brightness of His (Father`s) glory and the express image of His person...` (Heb. 1: 3)


The three disciples had a glimpse of His glory on Mount Transfiguration.

`Jesus...was transfigured before them, (Peter, James and John). His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow...` (Mark 9: 2 & 3)


Then John had a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ as He is known in the heavenly realms.

`His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass,...His voice as the sound of many waters;...His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength....` (Rev. 1: 14 - 16)



Such glory is beyond expressing, but one day we shall behold Him as He is for we shall be like Him.

`...we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.` (1 John 3: 2)

King of Heaven.


`I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of Heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those that walk in pride He is able to abase.

I praised and honoured Him that lives forever, for His dominion is an everlasting dominion.` (Dan. 4: 37, 34)

The immensity of this King`s dignity and the range of His dominion dim into insignificance the dominions of this world. His dominion will never suffer from disaster, defeat or destruction as those kingdoms of the earth.


The King of Heaven`s might and majesty will never diminish or decay, for He reigns forever. He ever lives, ever loves and ever lasts. He held this high and honourable office ages before His manifestation, as He said, `My Kingdom is not of this world.` ((John 18: 36)


God`s word tells us that there are the heavens, (Atmosphere & Universe) and then there is the `heaven of heavens.`


`Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God,..` (Deut. 10: 14)

`Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain you.` (1 Kings 8: 27)

`Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord, to Him who rides on the heaven of heavens which were of old..` (Ps. 68: 32 & 33)



In these undefinable realms the Lord has prepared and established His throne.

`The Ancient of Days was seated;....His throne a fiery flame...a thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him...` (Dan. 7: 9 & 10)


When the apostle Paul was caught up into the third heaven and had a glimpse of the celestial court, he said he saw things that could not be lawfully uttered, meaning by this that all known laws of magnitude and standards for measuring magnificence are useless because of the inconceivable glory.



We are told that the host of Heaven is innumerable, and their worship is beyond grandeur and splendour.

`The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands..` (Ps. 68: 17)

`You alone are the Lord: ........the host of heaven worships you.` (Neh. 9: 6)

One True God - Mark Harris

Thank you Magenta for posting that great song, much appreciated.

King of the Ages.

`Now unto the King eternal (of the ages), immortal (incorruptible), invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever (unto the ages of the ages) and ever.` (1 Tim. 1: 17 Newberry margin).


The apostle Paul penned these words, for he relates to the One who stopped Him as it were in his tracks. And then the revolutionary change that took place in his life as God saved this `chief of sinners.` Paul realised that this One was none other than the King of the centuries.

With His almighty authority this King shapes all history, and supervises all national and personal activities. He is likewise King of the future, whose prescient eye enables Him to plan well ahead of time.

In His administration He is directing, designing and determining the course of events in this world.

He is the framer of the laws of the Universe, the One who fashions the ages, who forms the stage and sphere for the enactments of life, and the very lives of those who play a part in this great drama.

`”I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,” says the Lord, “who was and who is and who is to come, the Almighty.”` (Rev. 1: 8)


This King is the Commencer and Consummator of all revelation as the Alpha and Omega.

He is the Originator and Objective of all creation as the Beginning and the Ending.

And He is the Perfector of all administration as the One which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.


Do we realise there is a King at the center of this great universe, who in His mystic being and majesty knows and loves and cares constantly for our well-being and future welfare?

Things may seem trivial at times, are yet in the line of a train of events, administered by a Controller who has all power in heaven and on earth, directing everything toward the achievement of an eternal purpose.



Saul of Tarsus, (Paul) realised that he was included in the thought and plan of this overseeing and overruling omnipotent King and that his life was being carefully planned.

Looking down through the ages we can see the lives of great people of faith and how this King has led and guided them in their journey of trust in Him. And we are part of that too.

King of the Jews. (Judah)


”Where is He, who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matt. 2: 2)

The word `Jews` means the people from the tribe of Judah. They were one of the twelve tribes of Israel named after the twelve sons of Jacob, Abraham`s grandson.


So how did Jesus come to have the title `King of the Jews?`

When Jacob gave his Patriarchal blessing and prophetic word to his twelve sons, Reuben the first-born should have received three portions above his brothers. However because he sinned vilely and did not have the character to lead, the three portions were divided up between three of his brothers -



The Kingdom Rule - to Judah.

The Priesthood - to Levi.

The Birthright - to Joseph. (double portion to his two sons, Manasseh & Ephraim)



Thus we see that the kingdom rule went to Judah who is likened to a lion, (known as the king of the animals), and who holds the sceptre of royal power. Jacob prophesied -

`Judah is a lion`s whelp...he bows down, he lies down like a lion; and as a lion who shall rouse him? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a law-giver from between His feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.` (Gen. 49: 8 - 10)


So when God chose a King to rule over the nation of Israel He chose one from the tribe of Judah, David, a man after His own heart. God told David -

`Your house and your kingdom shall be established for ever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.` (2 Sam. 7: 16)



We know from the book of Matthew that Jesus was born of the seed of David. He was also born in the city of David, (Bethlehem), and became the last King of the Jews. (Judah)

`The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David,....` (Matt. 1: 1)


This great King of the Jews, however was not received by the nation of Israel when He was on earth, and the fulfillment of this prophecy when `Shiloh comes` awaits His revealing when He delivers Israel from their enemies. (Zech. 12: 7 - 10)


The Hebrew word `Shiyloh,` meaning Shiloh, refers to a quality of the Messiah, tranquil, secure, success.


And one great Day at Christ`s investiture with the Kingdom, He will be acclaimed the “Worthy One,” `the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David....` (Rev. 5: 5)

King of Israel.

`Nathaniel answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel.” (John 1: 49)

The law of kingship under the Old Testament Covenant is very explicit. According to the divine law no stranger or foreigner was to be selected as King, but a brother of like nationality. Likewise no self-indulgent person or seeker of riches was permitted to reign.

The king was to be required to be familiar with the Scriptures and a seeker and follower of the truth. Moses told the people of Israel -

`You shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.

But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, “You shall not return that way again. Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.”

Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statues,

that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.` (Deut. 17: 15 - 20)



Jesus the `Just,` had every qualification and credential for kingship, according to the Law of Moses.

Jesus was divinely appointed King and anointed by deity. (Ps. 2: 1 - 7)

Jesus was born of the house of David, the tribe of Judah and the nation of Israel. He was one of the brethren of Israel. (Matt. 1: 1)

Jesus fulfilled the law of God. (Luke 4: 16 - 21)

Jesus had compassion for His brethren. (Matt. 9: 36)


No violation of the law was more glaring than when the leaders of Jewry shouted, “We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19: 15)


Christ Jesus was in full accord with every precept and prediction of the Word of God. He is the only one who fully magnified the law, glorified the truth, and ratified the promises; He genuinely beautified grace and finally dignified justice.

KingPriest.

Jesus Christ was appointed Priest by the Father.

`The LORD (Father) has sworn...:You (Lord Jesus) are a Priest forever...` (Ps. 110: 4)

It was a new order of priest different than the Aaronic priesthood. There were many High priests under the Aaronic order but there is only one great High Priest. Each High priest in Israel succeeded the other, with many weaknesses, but we have a High Priest, `Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.` (Heb. 13: 8)


The Aaronic Priesthood was established for a nation, whereas Christ`s Priesthood is for all mankind, it is universal. He is the one mediator between God and man. (1 Tim. 2: 5)

`We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary...` (Heb. 8: 1)




The New Order of Melchizedek, a royal priest, a Kingpriest.

Melchizedek was a godly king of the ancient city of Jerusalem, who officiated as a priest unto God. (Gen. 14: 18 - 20) He was a type of Christ, a King Priest.

`For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of the Most High, first being translated `King of Righteousness,` and then also King of Salem, meaning `King of Peace.` (Heb. 7: 1 & 2)


Melchizedek - Heb. Malkiy, (king), Tsedeq, (right) - King of Righteousness.

Salem - Heb. `Shalem,` (peaceful). Early name for Jerusalem. King of Peace.




The Throne of Christ the Kingpriest.

In the unveiling of Christ, we are shown Him seated on the throne of His glory. This throne has the authority and power appointed of the Father. (Rev. 4)

`I have set my King on my Holy hill of Mount Zion.` (Ps. 2: 6)

`Behold, a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; ...`(Rev. 4: 2)

The gem stones indicate the High Priest`s garment. Christ however is High Priest because of His Holy Character and Mediatorial work between God and man.

`This man, after He had offered one sacrifice for ever, sat down at the right hand of God.` (Heb. 10: 12)

`For this reason He is the mediator of the new covenant,...` (Heb. 9: 15)

King of the Nations.

God the Father will give His Son, as His inheritance, the nations.

`Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance.` (Ps. 2: 8)



In the Tribulation - the Great Multitude of the Nations.

During the tribulation when God`s judgments are poured He still has His hand of mercy outstretched to those who repent. A great multitude, that no one can count of the nations, died of hunger, heat and thirst but `washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.` (Rev. 7: 9 - 16)



And those who do not bow to the anti-Christ.

Then there are those who did not bow to the image of the anti-Christ, nor took his mark, number or name, but looked for Israel`s Messiah to come and set up His righteous kingdom through Israel. (Rev. 15: 2) They sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.

`Great and marvellous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the Holy Ones, (of the nations). Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name?` (Rev. 15: 3)



The Song of Moses. He ascribed greatness to God, His work perfect, and all His ways, just. As one of the two witnesses of Christ, Israel`s coming Messiah, he would have witnessed of Christ, His greatness and justice. (Rev. 11: 3- 6)

`Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice.` (Deut. 32: 3 & 4)


The Song of the `Lamb` refers to Christ`s sacrifice as Israel`s Passover Lamb. It is His title as the victor standing on Mount Zion in glory, the One who overcame Satan and his world government. It is Christ`s `battle scarred dress,` in which He fought and won to receive the greatest honour. `Behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion...` (Rev. 14: 1)


These `holy ones,` also reveal that all the nations will come and worship the Lord.

`For you alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before you, for your judgments have been manifested.` (Rev. 15: 4)



After the tribulation all nations under Christ the King of the Nations.

The Lord will judge the nations as to who will enter His kingdom rule through Israel. Representatives of these nations will be required to go up each year to Jerusalem to worship the King and learn of His ways. (Micah 4: 2)


`And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and keep the Feast of Tabernacles.` (Zech. 14: 16)