Signed, `I, Jesus,` (Rev. 22: 16)

[Marilyn C]

Hi Fresno Joe,

 

`a life giving spirit...` what a wonderful privilege we have of partaking of Him. Thank you Fresno for that encouragement.

 

Bless you bro, Marilyn.

[Marilyn C]

The Lord Jesus has many names & titles & the one we are very familiar with is `king.` We know that Jesus is a king. Yet there is a sense we tend to see this kingship in relation to Israel. And while that is correct it does not fully explain Christ`s kingly power, His royal nature & authority. So I thought it would be good to look at the different areas & realms over which Christ is King.

KING OF GLORY.

`Lift up your heads, O gates;
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of Glory may come in!
Who is the King of Glory?
The Lord strong & mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O gates;
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of Glory may come in!
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of Glory.`
(Ps. 24: 7 – 10)

`Thy Glory is above the heavens` is repeated in the Psalms. Here the King of Glory ascends the throne of the heavens at the utmost pinnacle of power. Now Glory is the crowning diadem of all the attributes of deity. The scriptures teach that holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, goodness, graciousness, loving-kindness & all such virtues are glory crowned. Presiding in kingly dignity over all of this is the King of Glory.

The Apostle Paul tells us that `the glory of the celestial is one, & the glory of the terrestrial is another.` (1 Cor. 15: 40 – 41) In Psalm 24 we read of this material glory, `the earth & all it contains,` then the sphere of moral glory, `the hill of the Lord, His holy place, clean hands & a pure heart...` But both these are superseded by celestial glory, when the heavenly gates & spiritual hosts come into view.

In Psalm 68 we see the escort associated with the triumphant entry of Christ.

`...The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them...Thou has ascended up on high.` (Ps. 68: 17 & 18)

At the centre of these hosts, sits Christ enthroned in majesty, the King of Glory.

The Apostles James & John both speak of Christ as the glory, while Paul refers to Him as the Lord of glory. This shows us that Christ not only reigns in authority as King but that He administers also as Lord. He is declared as the King of Kings & the Lord of Lords, which pertains to the highest & holiest sphere, the Heaven of heavens.

How amazing then it is that this King of glory could have called on more than 12 legions of angels when He was most vulnerable. (Matt. 26: 53 – 54) I think this wonderful old hymn says it all.

`When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the King of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my heart, my life, my all!`

Isaac Watts.

My heart becomes overwhelmed when I meditate on Jesus Christ the King of Glory & what He has done for us.


 

[Marilyn C]

KING OF HEAVEN

To study & meditate upon the names, titles & offices of our Lord Jesus Christ gives our minds plenty to think upon –`...whatsoever is true, ....worthy of praise let your mind dwell on these things.` (Phil. 4: 8)

The next aspect of Christ`s Kingship was revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar after he had humbled himself.

`Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, & honour the King of heaven, for all His works are true & His ways just, & He is able to humble those who walk in pride.` (Dan. 4: 37)

King Nebuchadnezzar was the first king that God gave World Rulership to. (Dan. 2:37 & 38) However King Neb. became very proud & although God warned him he did not humble himself under God. Thus God judged him causing him to live like an animal for 7 years. After this time God restored the king to his right mind revealing to him that the Lord was the King of Heaven. Thus king Neb. extols & praises the King of Heaven – a King higher in Authority & Power than himself. (Dan. 4)

Throughout God`s word we are shown some of the splendour & magnificence of this Heavenly King. We are told that myriads of angels attend His royalty in the celestial court in the kingdom of Heaven.

`...& the Ancient of days took His seat;......; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, & myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;..` (Dan. 7: 9 & 10)

Many times in scripture the `heavens` are expressed in the superlative degree.

Moses - `Behold, the heaven & the heaven of heavens is the Lord`s thy God...` (Deut.10: 14)

David - `O sing praises unto the Lord; to Him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens.` (Ps.68: 32 & 33)

Solomon - `Behold, the heaven & heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee;....` (1 Kings 8: 27)

Nehemiah – Thou alone art the Lord. Thou hast made heavens, the heaven of heavens, with all their host....& the heavenly host bows down before Thee.` (Neh. 9: 6)



In these undefinable realms the Lord has prepared & established His throne. When the Apostle Paul was caught up into the third heaven & had a glimpse of the celestial court, he said he saw things that could not be lawfully uttered. This means, I believe, that all our known laws of magnitude & standards for measuring magnificence are found wanting, because of the inconceivable glory.

We are told that the host of Heaven is innumerable, then how could the human mind estimate maintenance costs? Such terms as splendours & gorgeous grandeurs are too weak to describe the indescribable.

As King of Heaven, Christ has many diadems. He is the fairest in beauty, noblest in dignity, loveliest in majesty, & holiest in mercy. As King of Heaven, He wears the most distinguished diadem of deathless dominion & in His hand the sceptre of supreme strength & power, wielded in righteousness. His unfailing faithfulness & constancy qualify Him to reign forever in an undefiled, unfading dominion that has a length, breadth, depth, & height that surpasses knowledge.

`Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven,
To His feet thy tribute bring,
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like thee His praise should sing.

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.`

 

 

How is your heart stirred when you think of Christ`s Kingship in these celestial realms?

[Marilyn C]

KING OF THE AGES

`Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor & glory forever & ever. Amen.` (1 Tim. 1: 17)

Greek - `aion` an age.

There are many aspects of Christ`s Kingship to think upon. Lately I`ve been meditating on Christ, the King of the ages. What an amazing statement. Christ reigning as King, shaping all history, supervising national & personal activities.

Some Bibles have `King eternal,` with reference to duration, whereas I believe the Apostle Paul was stressing that Christ is the one who is directing, designing & determining the course of events. Christ is the one who made the laws of the universe & who has designed the ages.

This King, at the centre of this great universe, who is a mystic & majestic being, knows, loves & cares for each of us, our present well-being & our future welfare. He is directing everything toward the achievement of His eternal purpose.

Through the historic ages & into the ages in eternity, this Christ reigns supreme.

`God....seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule & authority & power & dominion, & every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.` (Eph. 1: 20 & 21)

When I take time to meditate on His grandeur then earthly things come into right perspective. How does His Kingship effect you?

 

 

 

Marilyn.