“And He hath on his vesture and on His thigh a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.'” Revelation 19:16
It will be at the seventh trumpet sound mentioned in the book of Revelation, to be heard during the tribulation period, that, “…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.” (11:15) What is the significance of Christ coming as the King, and Lord? We catch a glimpse of its meaning when the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Phillipi: “…That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (2:10-11) The consideration of Jesus Christ as King, speaks of His authority and power. When scripture speaks of HIm as being the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, it is speaking of His absolute power and authority. Even the kings of old, when speaking of the true and living God would speak of Christ’s dominion which was over all, and would never diminish, or pass away. When Isaiah had his vision of God, he would relate that he saw the Lord sitting upon a throne. Later on, he would declare the reason for which he was convicted profoundly of sin, “…for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (6:5) Why is the vision of God in Christ, as the King of kings and Lord of lords, so very important to grasp, and use in the worship of Him? It is in seeing Christ as possessing all power and authority, realizing that there is none higher, nor more powerfully sovereign than He, that true faith will find its resting place. Not only is there great consolation with regard to things eternal, especailly as declared in His Word, but that in this present moment, the absolute victory which Christ accomplished on Calvary over all the power of the enemy to thwart the design and work of God to save men, belongs to the believer also. Christ’s admonintion to walk upon serpents and scorpions is qualified by Him saying, “…all the power of the enemy.” Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians that Christ, “…spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them.” (2:15) What does this mean to the believer, the one who would follow Christ, following on to know Him? It would mean that the victory that Christ has won over all the power of the enemy now belongs to the believer. The believer is called upon to lay hold of this blessed truth, that Christ is King, and as Thomas confessed, “My Lord and my God.” This is what God in Christ has come to reveal, that the Sovereign King and Lord of his life, is the one that has conquered sin and death, all principality and power. His word is therefore not only true by declaration, but powerful by fulfillment, for he will accomplish His will, fulfilling His will by His power.
With regard to Christ being revealed to men as the Shepherd of those who will trust Him to be such to them, we must ask ourselves the question, “Why?” And why is Psalm 23 a bedrock song for the faith of the believer?
Throughout Scripture, the Lord uses illustrations to communicate to us essential, even eternal truths, which will guide us in our relationship with Him. Christ as the good Shepherd of the sheep is seen as being so far above the sheep in wisdom, power, love, and goodness, that the honest sheep must confess that his own worth is only found in the Shepherd’s love and care. Secondly, the Almighty Shepherd is revealed as a protector, provider, and guide of the sheep. His objective is to care for the sheep, ever revealing His redeeming love, and His constant presence to be known, and loved.
Dear Father, Be our King And Shepherd. In Jesus’ name, Amen.