"The Return Of The King Of Kings”

In Jesus Holy Name November 26, 2023

Text: Revelation 19:11-13,16 Christ the King Sunday Redeemer

“The Return of the King of kings”

Leonard Sweet in his book: “Jesus, A Theoraphy” writes: The Jesus story does not begin in Bethlehem nor Nazareth. It begins in the dateless past, before angels and atoms. To consider that Jesus existed before the world and time began, is mind boggling. We grope for words to express the inexpressible. There is no “before” nor “after” until there is creation.

This is why when Jesus prays for His disciples at the Passover meal prayed: “Father the time has come to Glorify your Son.. “(You have given me authority over all people so that I might grant those who believe eternal life) “ An now Father glorify me in your presence with the glory I have with You before the world began.” This is why we just sang the hymn “Give Him Glory”. It is a great hymn for Christ the King Sunday.

The Jesus story has no beginning nor end for He is the Creator of all things. (Colossians1:15) John writes: “He is the Logos”, the “Intelligent Designer” of the Universe.” He is eternal. If not, He would not be God. The bible from Genesis through Revelation tells the story of Jesus, His person, His mission and His work to redeem His creation from the grip of evil. The Jesus story does not end at the cross in Jerusalem nor on Easter Sunday. He will return and restore earth to its original glory.

This Sunday is the last Sunday in the Church year, Christ the King Sunday. We celebrate all that Jesus has accomplished and we look forward with joy to His return.

In Revelation chapter 19, John writes: I heard the sound of a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters…. shouting….Hallelujah, for our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory.” “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse whose rider is call Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. …His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen. On His robe and His thigh He has this name: ‘The King of kings and Lord of lords.’

On this Christ the King Sunday, we remember that the true King of the Universe is Jesus. Until He returns, we are the “light” in the “darkness”. In the great Disney film “The Lion King”, named Mufasa shows the vast expanse of the “Pride Lands” to his son, Simba. He then says that their kingdom is where ever the “light” hits.

As the story unfolds there is an evil brother named Scar. He is jealous and wants the power and thus authority over the “Pride Lands”. Scar attacks Pride Lands and tries to kill the son Simba. Under Sacr’s rule the “pride lands” are devastated. Ultimately Simba returns and defeats Scar. His coronation is the ceremony in which Simba reclaims the Pride Lands and takes his rightful place in the Circle of Life.

Don’t you think it is interesting how a great film, converted into a Broadway musical attracts still attracts so much attention? The Lion King is a classic Disney animation that understands the on going “cosmic battle between good and evil, between the Creator and Satan who stole Adam and Eve’s authority over the earth. (Genesis 1:26) The Lion King is a retelling of the world (The Pride Lands) created perfect by God, then challenged by an evil foe and rescued by the son, Jesus.

David Kupelian in his book “How Evil Works” writes: “”we do not understand evil, what it is, how it works, and why it so routinely and effortlessly ruins our lives. Despite the human race’s extraordinary capacity for invention and progress we clearly have a blind spot”….to the influence and power of Satan at work to destroy God’s creation. Scar rounded up all the evil hyena’s and together their violent behavior destroyed the beautiful land. We can see that violent behavior roaming our streets, just as Herod’s soldiers roamed the streets of Bethlehem late one night in their search for the child, Jesus.

As much as we want, husbands and wives can’t seem to stay married. Family breakdown is all around us, and at times the government has encouraged it. Americans are increasingly forsaking their faith in Christianity and its’ values, along with the challenge to forgive one another. And we wonder why theft from our community stores and carjackings in our city streets are constantly are filling our evening news. We wonder why people and governments plunder and destroy the earth, stealing its beauty and wealth. It is exactly what “Scar” and his pride of hyena’s did. It is part of the ongoing “Cosmic battle” until the “Son” returns and restores His created earth.