WORSHIP THE KING OF KINGS

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS” – Revelation 19:16

The Revelation of Christ on a White Horse signifies a bold Call to WORSHIP THE KING of KINGS and Lord of Lords: “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev.19:16). The phrase “king of kings” is used in Scripture six times. Once, it is applied to God the Father: “He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1Tim.6:15b). Twice, it is applied to the Lord Jesus (Rev.17:14; 19:16). The other three instances refer to earthly kings to express their rule over their respective realms of Persia and Babylon (Ezra 7:12; Eze.26:7; Dan.2:37).

This unique title indicates someone who has the power to exercise absolute dominion over all His realm. The Realm, for our Lord Jesus, is all of Creation. In John’s vision, Jesus is returning to judge the world and establish His earthly Kingdom, as predicted: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great Power and Glory” (Mk.13:26). In the end, all rulers will be conquered and abolished, and He alone will reign supreme as King and Lord of all. No power, king, or lord can oppose Him and win. Throughout Scripture, there are many references to this absolute Dominion of Jesus and His preeminence over all.

Isaiah 40:23-24 says that “He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless.” The mere breath of the Lord “will take them away like stubble.” In Daniel 7:13-14, “the Ancient of Days” – God the Father – gives an Everlasting Dominion over all people, nations, and languages to “one like a son of man“ – God the Son. The New Testament provides a better view of the One these passages refer to: “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power” (Heb.1:3). The next verse speaks of Jesus being superior to the angels.

Paul, writing to the Philippians, made the point that Jesus was humbled in His earthly ministry and that His humiliation resulted in glorification. Jesus’ perfect obedience is the reason that “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phi.2: 9-11). The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53:10-12, who “poured out His soul unto death” and “bore the sin of many” has become the King of kings!

Ultimately, in the book of Revelation the Kingship of Jesus is made manifest. The Lamb of God – Jesus – is the only one in all creation found worthy to open the scroll containing the judgments of God (Rev.5:2–5). In Revelation 11:15, voices in heaven proclaim that “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” The Authority of Christ caused the great dragon – the Devil and Satan, to be cast down to earth (Rev.12:9-10). In Revelation 17:12-14, the Lamb conquers all those arrayed against Him, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Finally, we read of Jesus’ triumphant coming to tread the winepress of God’s wrath, by His authority as KING of KINGS and Lord of lords (vv.11-16).

Fundamentally, the idea of Jesus being King of kings and Lord of lords means that there is no higher authority. His Dominion over creation and the universe is total. His reign over all things is and inviolable. God raised Him from the dead and placed Him over all things, “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Eph.1:21). Beloved, let’s receive Grace to WORSHIP the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS!