Entering Into God’s Presence Knowing God Through His Roles & Titles

King (Sphere of Government) To Study and Ponder

• God is worshipped as “the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all

  lords” (1Ti 6:15). Similarly, we are told that “the Lamb ... is Lord of all lords and King of all
  kings” (Rev 17:14) and it is “on his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords” (Rev 19:16). God reigns over all human kings: “He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings” (Dan 2:21). Even Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful king of Babylon recognized that “God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings” (Dan 2:47). Indeed, “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases” (Pro 21:1). And one day, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev 11:15).

• God has been King, ultimate ruler, since the beginning of time and always will be. Understanding that God is the sovereign king, that “the nations, as well as all of history and world events, are under his complete control and authority; His eternal plans and purposes will be accomplished.” (Wiley, p.134) is especially important for generations and nations with a history of independence and rebellion.

• The concept of a ruling king is often either distorted by experience with evil kings, or is not there at all. Many of us need to understand more about royalty and have our minds renewed in order to respond & submit to Jesus as king. Old Testament writers did not doubt their God was King. ( Deut 33:5; Num 23:21; Psalm 24:7-10; 95:3; 145:1-3; Is 33:32; 43:15; 44:6 etc.)

• In Deuteronomy 17:14-20 God stipulates what a king should and should not do. Three things are prohibited. He should not use his position to multiply i) horses, ii) wives, or iii) gold for himself. In other words he was not to give way to the temptations of i) power/authoritarianism, ii) sex/hedonism, and iii) money/materialism. Lack of self-control in these areas would eventually destroy the king and the kingdom (as the case of Solomon vividly illustrates: 1Ki 10).

• God’s king would be characterized by the opposite spirit of worldly kings: he would display i) servanthood, instead of the love of power, ii) purity, instead of the love of pleasure, and iii) generosity, instead of the love of things. Consider Jesus the model king who exemplifies perfectly all these godly traits.

• Jesus was declared to be a king before he was born, later the King of Israel, the King of the Jews.

  • -  “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place

    their hope on him” Romans 15:12 (from Isaiah 11:10)

  • -  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give

    him the throne of his ancestor David. Luke 1:32 (the angel speaking to Mary)

  • -  ...wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king

    of the Jews?” Matthew 2:1-2 (also Luke 1:33 to Mary)

  • -  Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel” John 1:49

  • -  “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s

    colt.” John 12:15 (from Zechariah 9:9)

• The arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus centered on him being a king (John 18:33-37)

  • -  ...the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. Matthew 27:11 (NIV)

  • -  Soldiers ridiculed His kingship by dressing him in purple robes of royalty, putting a crown of thorns on his head and giving Him a mock scepter.

  • -  Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king.” John 19:14.

  • -  The charge against him was written on the sign placed on the cross - “This is Jesus, the

King of the Jews.” Matthew 27:37 (Also Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38, John 19:19).

• Jesus is our king, the one we bow before, pledge allegiance to and allow to rule our lives, the one who is coming back to earth as the warrior king who will judge the nations righteously and rule eternally.

  - For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14

  - On his robe at his thigh was written this title:King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Rev 19:16

• God expects earthly kings to “rule with justice and righteousness” (1Ki 10:9). A king should detest wrongdoing and build his kingdom on justice (Pro 16:12). “A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it” (Pro 29:4). When the godly reign all benefit (Pro 11:10; 20:26,28; 25:5; 29:14). When there is no godly leadership and lawless anarchy rules all the people suffer. Note the horrible stories that are told in the final chapters in Judges – a time in which Israel “had no king” (Judg 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).

  Meditation/Memory:
  Lower Grades: Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the

  Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. Psalm 47:1-2 (NLT)
  On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Revelation

  19:16 (NLT)

  Middle Grades: For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)

  The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake. Psalm 99:1 (NLT)

  Upper Grades: I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)

  All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen! 1 Timothy 1:17 (NLT)