Jesus` Kingship.

JESUS ` KINGSHIP.

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

His kingly authority is underived, His kingly majesty unconferred, & His kingly glory unimparted on the basis of this world standards.


“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, & for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” (John 18: 36 & 37)


As we can just limit the Lord`s kingship to this earth I thought it would be good to share together of what we know in God`s word concerning Christ`s kingship over other realms.

So from scripture what other kingships has the Lord & over what other realms?


Marilyn.
 
“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, & for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” (John 18: 36 & 37)


Christ is King, by virtue of the inherent power of truth, which is the very nature of His royal might & majesty. We read that truth is the predominant factor of His kingdom, a Greek word meaning regency, & we know that to this fact He witnessed. He confessed to Pilate that He was King of this spiritual regency of truth, which was `not from here,` the earth.

Christ is the King of a kingdom of spiritual truth. He came into this world of mankind & ministered truth in His teaching. He showed truth in His life & all His activities. He maintained truth inwardly & outwardly in all he did. It is this spiritual kingdom that governs the minds, wills & hearts of men, of which He Himself is the personification, as well as witness.

Marilyn.
 
One of my favourite Bible Teachers is Charles. J. Rolls. Here is an excerpt from his writings which shows our Lord humbling Himself to the lowest & then rising to the highest –


“Who bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”(Gal. 3: 1)

`Truth on the scaffold, crucified. Truth is perfect in sensitiveness & therefore suffers more keenly when bearing the penalty for guilt. Truth like love, its constant companion, never, never fails.

What a spectacle of sorrowful suffering Christ became. How astounding that He should stoop so low & allow Himself to be made sin for us. Amid the inhuman insult of hoarse laughter & coarse language, the soldiers mocked His royal claims. No ridicule more rude, no scorn more scorching, no mockery more menial, & no contempt more cruel was ever hurled at anyone.

Yet under every possible disadvantage Christ was the first & only one who made the platted thorns to become a princely crown. He transformed the gloom of human grief into the grandeur of heavenly glory. Yet more, He transmuted a dishonoured death into a dignified diadem of higher life, & via the steps of a painful crucifixion at the rough hands of haughty men, He ascended to a preeminent coronation at the right hand of the highest majesty in the Heaven of heavens.`


Marilyn.
 
The King of Heaven.


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


...I blessed the Most High & praised & honoured Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, & His kingdom is from generation to generation...` (Da. 4: 37, 34)


Prior to the Lord`s manifestation here on earth he was worshipped & honoured in heaven`s highest courts. This we read was revealed to king Nebuchadnezzar. God`s word tells us that this is the `heaven of heavens.`

”Indeed heaven & the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it.” (Deut. 10: 14)


`But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven & the heaven of heavens cannot contain you. How much less this temple which I have built!` (1 Kings 8: 27)


My God, my king”......

`Oh, sing praise to the Lord, to Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!` (Ps. 68: 24, 32 & 33)


`You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, ....& the host of heaven worships you.` (Neh. 9: 6)


Heaven – Heb. word `shameh` meaning to be lofty. Also indicating the dual aspect of –


  1. The visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as

  2. The higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve.

Thus the `heaven & heaven of heavens,` show us that above the atmosphere & celestial bodies there is a `lofty` realm, one that is above all. In these indefinable realms the Lord has prepared & established His throne. The greatness of His magnificence & majesty is totally inexpressible.


When Paul was caught up into the third heaven & had a glimpse of the celestial court, he saw things that could not be lawfully uttered. This would I believe, mean that all our known laws & standards for measuring magnitude & magnificence would be useless 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 & grandeurs are too weak to describe the indescribable.


Marilyn.
 
This King of heaven does `according to His will in the army of heaven & among the inhabitants of the earth, no one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have you done?` (Dan. 4: 35)


The character of this King stands in sharp contrast to that of the kings of the earth. His wisdom, dignity & range of dominion dim into insignificance the dominions of the world. His kingdom is immune from disaster, defeat & destruction. He reigns forever & ever. His might & majesty never diminishes or decays, & immortality characterizes the perfection of His administration assuring permanence of power & pleasure.


The King`s personal glory & beauty outshines all lesser lights in the expansive hierarchy of the Heaven of heavens. His reign extends everywhere over everyone forever. And His title of Kingship can never vanish & His throne of majesty will never be vacant.


The King of Heaven is without variableness & His throne is free of all vulnerability. As King he ever lives, ever loves & ever lasts. He held this high & honourable office ages before His manifestation, as He said when tried, “My kingdom is not of this world.”


As King of heaven, Christ has many diadems (Rev. 19: 12) `and on His head were many crowns.` He wears the most distinguished diadem of deathless dominion & in His hand He holds the sceptre of righteousness. His unfailing faithfulness qualify Him to reign forever & ever 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.

(Hymn by J. Condor)
 
JESUS ` KINGSHIP.

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

His kingly authority is underived, His kingly majesty unconferred, & His kingly glory unimparted on the basis of this world standards.


“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, & for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” (John 18: 36 & 37)


As we can just limit the Lord`s kingship to this earth I thought it would be good to share together of what we know in God`s word concerning Christ`s kingship over other realms.

So from scripture what other kingships has the Lord & over what other realms?


Marilyn.

I would say Marilyn, that fundamentally, the idea of Jesus being King of kings and Lord of lords means that there is no higher authority. His reign over all things is absolute and inviolable. God raised Him from the dead and placed Him over all things.

Eph. 1:21-23..............
“........far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all”.
 
The King of Glory.


`Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong & mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And lift them up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lords of Hosts, He is the King of glory.` (Ps. 24: 7 – 10)


How wonderful that God has given us this picture of the stateliest of triumphant entries, the entry of the kingliest sovereign Victor into the eternal realms. Then in Psalm 68 we are shown the ascension glory, & the procession into the sanctuary of the holiest.


`The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands;....you have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive;....

They have seen your procession, O God, the procession of My God, My King into the sanctuary;....Oh, sing praises to the Lord, to Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!.......O God, You are more awesome than your holy places.` (Ps. 68: 17, 18, 24, 32, 33, 35)


`Thy glory is above the heavens` is repeated three times in the Psalms. Here the King of Glory ascends the throne of the heavens at the utmost pinnacle of power. Glory is the crowing diadem of all the attributes of deity. Such as –


`Holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, goodness, graciousness, loving-kindness,.....`


God`s word teach us that all these & more are virtues that are glory crowned. Presiding in kingly dignity over all these is the King of Glory.


In Psalm 24 we see the celestial glory when the heads of the gates of heavenly portals comes into sight & the spiritual hosts within come into view. The escort is mentioned in Ps. 68: 17. What an entourage! And at the very centre of the circle of celebrities, coronated in great majesty sits the King of Glory. His glory extends, expands, & encompasses in every way. He alone is worthy of this highest station, King of Glory.


Never before has there been anyone who has had such close relationship of kinship with mankind, who has ascended to such heights of immortality in kingship to reign over all. How wonderful to meditate upon His personal love for the sons of men, & that He is now in preeminent lordship in heavenly majesty uniting all under one sceptre.


Both Paul & John speak of Christ as the glory, while James refers to Him as the `Lord of Glory.` (James 2: 1) This indicates that He not only reigns in authority as King, but that He administers also as Lord. In both these supreme offices, the superlatives are used in the New Testament, where He is declared King of kings & Lord of lords, & this pertains to the highest & holiest sphere, the Heaven of heavens.

Marilyn.

 
'Looking unto Jesus
the author and finisher of our faith;
Who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and is set down
at the right hand
of the throne of God.'

(Heb 12:2)

The right hand of God denotes the highest power, and most Divine authority. It also denotes His grace and mercy in delivering and saving His people. It is used also of the place accorded to Christ in His human nature as now exalted to God's right hand.

'Then cometh the end,
when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God,
even the Father;
when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
For He hath put all things under His feet.
But when He saith all things are put under Him,
it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him.
And when all things shall be subdued unto Him,
then shall the Son also Himself be subject
unto Him that put all things under Him,
that God may be all in all.'

(1Cor 15:24-28)

In Christ Jesus
Chris

(Psa. 110:1, Matt. 26:64, Mar. 16:19, Acts 2:32-36, Acts 7:55,56,
Rom. 8:34, Col.3:1, Eph. 1:21,22, Heb. 1:3,4, Heb. 8:1.)

(1 Cor. 15:25; Eph. 4:10)
 
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KING OF THE AGES

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

Greek - `aion` an age.

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.

Marilyn.
 
The King of Righteousness & Peace.

`For this Melchizedek,..... king of righteousness, & then.....king of peace....made like the Son of God,...` (Heb. 7: 1 - 3)

Melchizedek is a type of the priesthood of Christ – a royal priest, a kingpriest – King of Righteousness & King of Peace.

The two great features of kingship shown here are perfectly expressed in Christ –

  • He is rightful & faithful in all the exercise of His authority because He is righteousness personified.

  • He is also peaceful & graceful in every activity because He is peace personalised.
Christ has purposed to establish peace & this we see Him accomplish, `in righteousness He does judge & make war.` (Rev. 19: 11)

There has never been or will ever be another like the man Jesus Christ, the King of Heaven, the King of Glory, the King of kings. How worthy is His name & nature, how great is His power to govern & bless, how deep is His love & wisdom outworking His purposes & the orbit of His office is overwhelming. He is a King with a heart towards His people, a sovereign saviour, majestic in mercy & sympathy & most bountiful in blessing.

Now there are three specific features for a durable kingdom – righteousness, peace & joy. These are three of the unshakable things that remain when all that can be shaken shall be. (Heb. 12: 27) Isaiah speaks of everlasting righteousness, ever-abiding peace, & everlasting joy. ( Isa. 51: 8, 32: 17, 35: 10) Christ is appointed King by an almighty oath & at the same time is anointed with the oil of joy above all. (Ps. 45)

This completes the trio: He is King of righteousness & peace, anointed with the oil of joy. Therefore the requisites of the everlasting kingdom reside in Him bodily –

  • He is the Righteousness,

  • He is the Peace,

  • He is the joy,

The entire kingdom in expression.
 
He was "Born king of the Jews " though only the gentiles in the main recognized it.
He died "king of the Jews" though in the main only a gentile declared it .

He was king on earth as He is and will be King in heaven. For as He was on earth so He is in heaven save in glory.
He will come again as lawful King both of heaven and earth.

in Christ
gerald
 
Hi @geralduk,

Good comments there, bro, however one point I`d like to say is that I see in God`s word that the Lord has been & still is, King of Heaven.

Marilyn.
 
The King of the Jews.

`Behold, wise men came from the East to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East & have come to worship Him.” (Matt.2:2)

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 rather a brother of like nationality. Also no one who was self indulgent or a seeker of riches was to be permitted to reign. The king was required to be familiar with the Scriptures & a seeker & follower of the truth. (Deut. 15: 20)

Jesus had every qualification & credential for kingship, according to the law of Moses, yet the leaders of Israel used that very law to condemn Him, saying, “ We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19: 15)

Christ came from the seed of David, of the house of David, & of the city of David, as the Son of David, to be head of the kingdom of David, the final King of Israel & the last King of the Jews.

His entrance into this world was a never to be forgotten event. Prophecy declared it, the star drew the Wise men, the angels announced it, with numerous other sensational happenings. Yet the Jewish leaders did not even bother to go to Bethlehem to see if the Wise Men`s report was true.

Christ, when born was not about to commence a career, for His ways had been from of old, from everlasting.

`But you, Bethlehem...though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be ruler in Israel, whose going forth have been from of old, from everlasting.` (Micah 5: 2)

His Kingship manifested here was but a tiny microcosm of the magnificent majesty of the heavenly realm from whence He came. Angels for ages had attended His royalty in the kingdom of Heaven. And they had sung to the sovereign Lord at the dawn of creation, when He cast forth the comets & planets in their orbits & directed the winds in their circuits.

Yet under this title the Lord was mocked & murdered but one day, He will be acclaimed the majestic `King of the Jews.`

Marilyn.
 
The King of Israel.

`Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards Him, & said to him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered & said to him. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you”
Nathanael answered & said to Him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel.” (John 1: 47 – 49)

The nation of Israel, of which Christ is the final King, had four specific characteristics which coloured their national history. These are its code of laws, its priesthood, its witness of God & its promised inheritance.

Christ came to earth & verified to Israel that their nation was God ordained. He showed by His ministry & miracles that He was in full exercise of kingly power & authority.

When He was accused of wrong administration, breaking the Sabbath, He replied that He was `Lord of the Sabbath.` In regards to Temple service, when challenged He replied, `Behold, a greater than Solomon is here.`


His whole life was exemplary & His heart full of sympathy, His will was to do the Father`s will & His manner was with simplicity & mercy. He is the only one who full magnified the law, revealed the truth, ratified the promise & dignified justice.


The kingly Christ cannot be measured by the standard of earthly kings, or national lords. He holds seven kingships & is the head of all principality, power, might & dominion. He is the final authority, & has the right to every throne & kingdom forever.

Marilyn.
 
The King of the Nations.

`And I saw....those who have victory over the beast....& they sang .....“Great & marvellous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just & true are your ways, O King of the Nations!” (Rev. 15: 2 & 3)

The Lord Jesus Christ has many crowns, His kingship over many realms & peoples. Here we read of those of the nations declaring the sovereignty of Christ as King over them.

Nations – Gk. word `ethnos,` meaning a race, foreign (non Jewish) Gentiles.

God has made the nations to dwell upon the earth

`And He (God) has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, & has determined their pre-appointed times & the boundaries of their habitation, so that they should seek the Lord,...` (Acts. 17: 26 & 27)


Those that seek the Lord will have a place in the Millennium & later on the new earth.

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

`And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, & the kings of the earth bring their glory & honour into it. (the New Jerusalem)` (Rev. 21: 24)

In Psalm 2 we read that God the Father is giving to His Son His inheritance of these nations.

`I will declare the decree: the Lord has said to me, “You are My Son. Today I have begotten you. Ask of Me & I will give you the nations for your inheritance, & the ends of the earth for your possession. ` (Ps. 2: 7 & 8)

Satan tried to trick the Lord into accepting the nations, the kingdoms of the world from his hand, but to no avail.

`Again, the devil took him (Jesus) up on an exceedingly high mountain, & showed Him all the kingdoms of the world & their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give you if you will fall down & worship me.` (Matt. 4: 8 & 9)


Then we know that when the Lord has dealt with the final Gentile Government, then the kingdoms of the world will become His to rule over – King of the nations.

` Then the seventh angel sounded:....the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord & of His Christ, & He shall reign for ever & ever!` (Rev. 11: 15)

`God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. `(Ps. 47: 5 – 7)

Marilyn.
 
KING OF KINGS.

`...on His head were many crowns.....And He had on His robe & on His thigh a name written: King of kings & Lord of lords.` (Rev. 19: 12 & 16)

None but Christ could ever lay claim to seven kingships –

King of the Nations,
King of the Jews,
King of Israel,
King of Righteousness,
King of the Ages,
King of Heaven,
King of Glory,

and over & above all, King of kings.

Such a range of regality was never before held by any monarch, for every realm of importance is included – racial, national, spiritual, historical, celestial & supernal.

His authority is trustworthy as it comes from His holy character – goodness, faithfulness, righteousness & holiness all form the foundation of His administration.

Upon this King of kings is the stupendous task of administering the power which governs innumerable starry constellations, the myriads of hierarchies of angels, & the millions & millions of perfected saints.

The gathering of His celestial court is awe-inspiring & when the investiture of the King of kings is unveiled before the greatest assembly of admirers, what an acclamation of praise will resound from heaven & earth.

One day we will be among that number & as Thomas Kelly so aptly wrote –


`Look ye saints! The sight is glorious:
See the Man of sorrows now,
From the fight returned victorious:
Every knee to Him shall bow.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the Victor`s brow.


Hark! Those bursts of acclamation!
Hark! Those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
O what joy the sight affords,
Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him!
King of kings and Lord of lords.

Marilyn.


 
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