Day 19: King Of Kings And Lords Of Lords

The tenth title that we will begin to look at today is: King of kings and Lord of lords. Like the two preceding titles, it is taken from the Book of Revelation. In Revelation, chapter 17 we have a picture of the great global end time conflict in which Satan and the rulers associated with him will actually be ranged in open war against God and His appointed ruler, Jesus. This is part of the description, Revelation 17, verses 12 through 14:

“The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast [the beast is the anti-Christ]. They will make war against the Lamb, [That's Jesus] but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings - [You remember what we said earlier, the Lamb is also the Lion and here the Lamb is called Lord of Lords and King of Kings. There's a deliberate paradox in a Lamb that's the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Then it goes on in that verse] With him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

It always blesses me that Jesus doesn't want to win the victory on his own. He wants to share it with his followers. That's just like Him. He wants to bring us in on everything, His victory too.

Again, the same title is used a little further on in the Book of Revelation, in Revelation 19, verses 11 through 16 where we have the revelation of Jesus ready to return from Heaven in power and glory to judge the earth and to take over its kingdom. John says this:

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. [That's Jesus] With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. [The many crowns represent all the kingdoms which are his by right] He has a name written on him that no one but he himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. [We've already spoken about that earlier in this series of studies] The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron sceptre.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.”

So you see, Jesus is here presented very clearly and emphatically as the ultimate ruler of the universe and this passage depicts the establishment of his authority against all opposition.

Let's remind ourselves of the path by which Jesus came to this position. This too is revealed in the Book of Revelation, chapter 1, verses 4 and 5:

“Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, [That's God the Father] and from the seven spirits before his throne, [That's the Holy Spirit] and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”

There's a certain sequence there that we need to observe. Jesus was first of all in his humanity, the faithful witness, the one who never turned from the truth, the one who spoke the truth even about himself, though it cost him his life. He was the faithful witness. Because he was the faithful witness, God vindicated his faithfulness and his righteousness and raised him from the dead. So he became the first born from the dead, the first person ever to rise in resurrection out of death; the first born meaning that others, his believing people were to follow him.

Thirdly, as the first born from the dead, the head of a new creation, he's also the ruler of the new order. He is the ruler of earth's kings.

Let's look at those words once more. He's the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and therefore the ruler of the kings of the earth. It's important to see also that Jesus receives his authority from the Father. He does not rest it for Himself. It's conferred upon Him because He has deserved it. He has merited it. He has fulfilled the conditions for it.