“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.” Revelation 19:11
Dear Ones:
In the book of Micah, written approximately seven hundred and forty years before the coming of Christ, there was given to mankind a slight glimpse of the coming of the King. He wrote: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (5:2) When Gabriel was sent by God to speak to Mary, announcing Jesus’ birth, he said: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:31,32) Micah had no idea when the “ruler of Israel” would be born, only that He would be born in Bethlehem. Before Gabriel came, apparently Mary had no idea that she would be the mother of Jesus, and that the fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy would be accomplished in the way that was so discrete, quiet, and humble, that very few would know anything about it. The “mighty” Roman empire had no idea what was transpiring in the stable where Jesus was born on that night. There seemed not the slightest thought that the time had come for the “ruler of Israel,…whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting,” to make his appearance upon the stage of history.
Just prior to the crucifixion of Christ, He was brought privately before Pilate to be interrogated by him. During that meeting, Jesus would say two things that were monumental in their truth, and power. The first was, “…My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) By these words, He rises above all the kingdoms of the earth, and their kings. He reveals the nature of the kingdom which has nothing to do with those of sinful man. As He is that One who is everlasting, so is His kingdom over which He reigns as king. The second thing that Jesus said to Pilate in this regard was this: “Thou sayest that I am a king. Top this end I was born, and for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth My voice.” (Jn. 18:37)
In what has been called, the triumphal entry of Jesus, into Jerusalem, we find both a declaration by the crowds in Jerusalem that He is “the King that comes in the name of the Lord,” and at the same time, that few of those declaring such truly knew who this King was, and the nature of His kingdom. Perhaps, one of the most revealing moments of the false ideas concerning this king, and his kingdom, is revealed by the very plaque that was nailed above the head of Jesus while on the cross. It read, “This Is The King Of The Jews.” (Luke 23:38) Very few people at that time had any true, all-encompassing idea and conviction about what was occurring with this king. Nor do most people realize what it would be like when He comes again, the glorified King to set up His eternal kingdom.
In the book of Revelation, we catch a glimpse of this One who is coming to set up His kingdom, and this by defeating every foe. He is declared to be: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (19:16) We see Him upon a white horse, and is described to be: “Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.” His name is called “The Word of God,” and “…out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should slay the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron.” (v.11,13,15) This is the everlasting King, born, crucified, and coming again.
Dear Father, Give us grace to truly worship and serve the King. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad