Here Comes the King of kings & Lord of lords
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
OPENING: - Last Sunday July 21, 2024, President Joe Biden made a very special, Breaking News, and Historical announcement that stunned many people when he announced that he will not seek re-election, then he stated that he is recommending and is fully backing Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Nominee for President. Immediately on one side there was great jubilation from a multitude of people including me, not at the announcement that he will not seek re-election but at the announcement of the potential of the coming President Kamala Harris. On the other side there was great disdain of the announcement of the potential coming President. The one side was complaining talking about how she is incompetent and only received the job as a DEI hire (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) while the other side listed her accomplishments and achievements. As I watched and listened to the different responses and how they grew either with joy, excitement and great expectation or with contempt and hatred, I began to think about how all these different emotions, feelings, and responses happened at the announcement of a potential presidential candidate then my mind began to think just imagine the response at the announcement of the King of kings and Lord of lords. One side will express great jubilation, excitement, joy, and enthusiasm while the other side will express disdain, contempt, hatred, and utter unrest.
So today I want to make a very special, Breaking News announcement: - Ladies and Gentlemen Here Comes the King of kings and the Lord of lords – Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
SCRIPTURE: - Revelation 19:10-16
I). If there is ever a time in the history of mankind where people are anticipating, longing, and hoping for a change, not only in America, but the world over then right now is that time. However, they can hope all they want to but neither the government, a certain political party, or any individual will be able to bring about a change for they are corrupt and their heart is deceitful. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it”. So, to put our hope in mankind is futile, but Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein”; therefore, since the earth is His and we are His it is only Him that can bring about true change.
Let’s look at the King of kings and Lord of lords.
John gives us in our text a fascinating perfect description of the King of kings and Lord of lord’s.
Verse 11 “And I saw heaven open, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war”. The first thing you need to notice is location, the location is heaven opens this is very significant because of what is to follow. And behold – in other words look at this – a white horse and he that sat upon him is called Faithful and True, Understand, that especially in John’s time a white horse is symbolic of a victorious General or Emperor. The custom was when they defeated a place in battle the emperor, Caesar, king would ride through the city on a white horse celebrating their victory over a certain place. Notice Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lord’s is ridding a white horse in heaven indicating His victory over all the earth and he that sat upon him is called Faithful and True – this is a very important name or title and raises the question why not just say Jesus or one of the other titles He is known as. I am reminded of a story of a young minister fresh out of seminary and really anxious and on fire for the Lord and was determine to change the old way of thinking and bring in a fresh and new style to the church when the senior pastor, a older and wiser gentleman sent the young minister to visit a old church mother on her death bed. The young minister knew the old church mother but he never knew anyone who was more sure of their future than her and she was rigid in her belief. The young minister said he was going to tell her about her rigid belief and how stern she was. When he got there to see the old mother she told the young minister how she was ready to meet the lord and rest in his arms, the young minister who had seminary knowledge but had not really experienced true relationship with God yet said mother you can’t be so ridged and sure what will happen after death. The old mother looked at him and said “son if I should awake in eternity to find myself among the lost the Lord would lose more than I would” the young minister looked at the old mother and said “How would that be” when she said “I would lose my soul but He would lose His good name”. If for one moment or with one person, He was ever unfaithful and untruthful He would lose everything. Since He is faithful, truthful, can’t tell a lie, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent He keeps His promises Proverbs 30:5-6 says, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his word, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar”. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us”. This is why He is called Faithful and True because every promise ever made some 7487 promises made by God to mankind in the Bible are Faithful and True. The end of verse 11 says, “and in righteousness he doth judge and make war”. Jesus comes not as a lamb but a Lion to a world that rejected Him, He comes not seeking power, conquest, fame or any principle of lust but to bring righteous judgment and rage war on sin and all those that rejected Him. This war comes at the end of a long period of grace, patience, and mercy. He has been longsuffering and now it is time for vengeance, for vengeance is mine saith the Lord.
Verse 12 “His eyes were as flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew but himself”. His eyes were as flames of fire – I grew up watching Good Times and there was an episode where JJ painted a picture of Black Jesus and the eyes were red and they played it off as Ned the Wine-o and his eyes were red from drinking; however, the eyes as flames of fire are they eyes that are able to discern the secrets of all mankinds hearts, there is no secret that He does not see, nothing escapes His vision, He sees all, there is no unbelief He cannot see, no skepticism He cannot read, no hypocrisy or deceit He does not see, His eyes are piercing and seeing the very inner most of our souls. John MacArthur said it like this “These eyes that once reflected tenderness and joy as he cradled a child in his arms; these eyes that reflected compassion when he encountered the distressed; these eyes that communicated sadness toward a denying disciple; these eyes same eyes that communicated forgiveness to that same disciple; these same eyes that shed tears at the graveside of his friend now flash with the fire of Holy judgment”.
“and on his head were many crowns” These are crowns (Grk - Diadem) of royalty and authority and that there were many indicates Jesus is the ultimate in royal authority and power, there is none greater. He has conquered every other king.
“and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself”. Many commentaries skip this part right here without explanation, but there is a old saying, rather it is folklore or what but it says if someone knows your real name they can have control over you. I like to believe that the reason no man knew the name written because no one has control over him.
Verse 13 “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is The Word of God”. There is many discussions of the vesture dipped in blood, some are of the opinion that it is representative of the blood he shed on calvary and that is a good case to argue, others like me believe it is the blood of judgment from raging war against sin not the redemptive blood. If you read Isaiah 63:2-3 it says, “Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel; and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my rainment”. This is God judgment against Edom and a foreshadowing of Revelation 19:13 where the Battle of Armageddon is happening Christ is victorious and the blood of His enemies has stained His garment. I like how one commentator said it “Because they refused to wear as it were the blood of Christ upon their hearts, Christ will wear their blood on His garments”.
“and his name is called The Word of God”. This Word of God is the Logos in Greek and is the divine reason implicit in the creation of all thing, the ordering of all things and the form and meaning of all things. He is the One in John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of the world. #14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth”. WATCH THIS: - the Bible is the written Word, my preaching/teaching is the spoken Word, Jesus is the Living Word. However, when His name THE WORD OF GOD / Logos it will be to those that rejected Him the Word of terror and judgment, blood shed and death because they refused to accept the Living Word.
Verse 14 “And the armies which were in heaven followed upon white horses, clothed in fine linens, white and clean”. This verse is packed with a great deal. Notice it says, “And the armies which are in heaven followed” He is not coming with a choir of the heavenly host singing and being full of glad tidings and joy that was the first time but this time there are armies ready for battle, these are the saints of God, the redeemed. Some believe they are the angels, but notice how they are clothed in fine linens, white and clean the angels are never clothed in fine white linen that is the Righteousness of God. Also they are riding white horses as well. In ancient times the armies walked behind the Emperor, General, King, but God’s armies follow Him riding on white horses. These armies are the Redeemed of the Lord the ultimate fulfilment of Matthew 16:18 “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.
Verse 15 “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”. WATCH THIS: - I know people try to be literal a lot when talking about Revelation, but this sharp sword out of His mouth is the Word of God. He will defeat the enemy with the unadulterated Word of God. Understand since He brought the world into existence with His Word Hebrews 11:3 “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”, He can defeat His enemy with His Word. Look what Hebrew 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron meaning He has total and complete control and rulership over everything and will utterly destroy the enemy, those that rejected Him. Psalms 2:9-12 says, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him”.
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God this is His vengeance against sin and the rejection of Him.
Verse #16 “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords”. This may be understood as upon His robe and monogrammed if you will on the sash running down His thigh, not a tattoo, a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Notice here where normally a General would carry His sword or weapon here is His name King of Kings Lord of Lords. The title appears in the Bible only 3 times 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16 it declares His Sovereignty as King of Kings and His Deity as Lord of Lords or God of gods. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords nobody greater. Basileus Basileon is the Greek name for God meaning The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The title indicates someone who has the power to exercise absolute dominion over all His realm. In the case of the Lord Jesus, the realm is all of creation. In John’s vision, Jesus is returning to judge the world and establish His earthly kingdom, as He predicted in Mark 13:26 “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory”.
CLOSING: - We don’t truly know how this coming election will play out rather Kamala Harris will make History and become not only the 1st Female President of the United States and a woman of color or if Donald Trump will once again stun us and win it again. I know how I am praying and voting, but we know without a shadow of a doubt when the sky shall unfold preparing His entrance and the stars shall applaud Him with thunders of praise. The sweet light in His eyes shall enhance those awaiting and we shall behold Him then face to face. We will do as Psalms 24:7-10 says, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah”.
Are you ready!
Ready or not Here Comes the King of Kings and the Lords of Lords.
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
