King And Lord

KING and LORD

Revelation 19:11-16

April 2, 2017

What would you say is the most important event in history? If you had to vote or be part of a group of people, making that determination, what would you say is number 1 and beyond.

Well, in 1954, the publishing house of Grosset and Dunlap brought together a panel of 28 educators and historians and asked them to select the 100 most important events of history. After listing the top 100, they were then supposed to rank them in order of their importance.

Eventually the panel reported that they considered the most important event of history to be - - - the discovery of America. In second place was the invention of the Gutenberg printing press.

They could not pick a clear cut 3rd place, so 11 different events tied for 3rd place. Five events tied for 4th place. Those included - - the writing of the U.S. Constitution, the invention of ether, the development of the x-ray, the Wright Brothers successful flight, and the crucifixion of Jesus.

Religion made its first appearance not really tied for 4th place, but in what I would call a tie for 14th place. I shudder to think of where Jesus would stand if that same survey was taken in today’s culture.

Yet, that shouldn’t come to us as a surprise, because in reality, Jesus often seems to be an afterthought. He's important during baptisms, weddings, funerals and when someone is sick. But, at other times, He’s not quite as big of a consideration.

But let me make this very clear - - - - so clear that there can be no mistake about it, Jesus is not tied for 14th place, He must always be first. He is not tied with anybody or any invention.

So, if that is true for you, what does that mean about the way you live your life? Shouldn’t it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords? That’s what He is, but do we really believe it, and if we believe it, do we practice that? That’s really a loaded question, because too often we’re going to fall short of the glory of God. Which is precisely the reason the Father sent the Son into the world . . . not to condemn us, but to give us life and hope.

For the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at who Jesus is and how He is so important in our lives. We’ve talked about the fact that Jesus was real, that He was not created, He’s not an illusion, but He came into this world as a man, to live and suffer and die for us.

We’ve seen how Jesus came into this world not with a sense of entitlement, but with a desire to serve others, He was the lowly Shepherd who came to care for His sheep. He was the humble servant, who didn’t just practice humility, He lived it.

So, Jesus while living a life of humility, was at the very same time the King of kings and Lord of lords. For the rest of our time today, I want to look at the what it means for Jesus to be our King of kings and Lord of lords.

In Revelation 19:11-16, John gives us this very vivid depiction of Jesus. He wrote about his vision this way ~

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself.

13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God.

14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses.

15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

16 On his robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Now, we can spend a lot of time picking this passage apart. Suffice it to say, Jesus is the One on the white horse, He is the One who is called Faithful and True. He is the righteous One, who judges. He has many crowns on His Head, He is called the Word of God, He controls the heavenly armies as the Lord of Hosts, and He will ultimately defeat His enemy when the time for the final battle has come.