No title speaks so comprehensively to His unrivalled greatness. Such magnificence is all the more glorious when set over against His condescension. “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” (Mat 2:2)1 was a question as unsettling for Herod and Jerusalem as it was unprecedented for the world of royals and monarchs. The inscription “This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” was an announcement as unbearable for the priests and Jews as it was unexpected by everyone else. Over many centuries, countless princes had been birthed, but kings are made, not born. Many thousands had been impaled on stakes, but kings are coronated, not crucified. And yet, it was true, He was born a King and died a King, marked throughout His life as the rejected Sovereign. Though “a rugged cross became His throne” on earth, the One who occupied the throne from eternity (Isa 6:1; Mic 5:2) will do the same for eternity (Psa 45:6).
His Supremacy
Both “kings” (rule) and “lords” (authority) describe figures who have attained the pinnacle of human influence and position on earth. Nebuchadnezzar was called “king of kings” (Eze 26:7), but he acknowledged to Daniel, “Your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings” (Dan 2:47). The superlative title “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” underscores that above the greatest of earthly figures stands the unsurpassed greatness of God in Christ, the “King of glory” (Psa 24). While men jostle desperately for influence and power, Christ is declared to be the unrivalled Sovereign. He is both the Creator (Col 1:16) and Head (2:10) of all principalities and powers. While He rightly owns the great title now, He will yet possess it in full resplendence in His future manifestation.
Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
Hark! Those loud triumphant chords.
Jesus takes the highest station;
O what joy the sight affords!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
King of kings, and Lord of lords!2
His Deity
The OT references to this title refer to God the Father. “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome …” (Deu 10:17). The fact that the NT uses it of both Father (1Ti 6:15-16)3 and Son (Rev 17:14; 19:16) is a powerful affirmation of the deity of Christ, “for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Col 1:19 ESV). As Paul emphasizes His unassailable might and His unapproachable glory, it is clear that only One who is verily God could rightfully possess the title. The exalted Adonai who sits on the throne in Isaiah 6 is declared to be Christ Himself (Joh 12:41). God the Father addresses the King, His Son, and calls Him God, distinguishing Him from His “companions” both by His character and anointing (Heb 1:8-9).
No angel could His place have taken,
Highest of the high though He.
Yet One came down from Heaven’s glory,
Was One of the Godhead three!4
His Authority
The mentions of this title in Revelation emphasize His administration of justice and His making of war. His judicial glory as displayed through the assertion of His authority is contrasted with the short-term and limited authority granted to the rebellious kings “for one hour, together with the beast” (Rev 17:12 ESV). John notes that “on His head were many crowns,” as the warrior King riding at the head of the armies of heaven effects the “fierceness and the wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19:15-16). This fearsome posture of power and conquest is a fulfillment of the psalmist’s words, “Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty” (Psa 45:3).
King of kings! Let earth adore Him,
High on His exalted throne;
Fall, ye nations, fall before Him,
And His righteous sceptre own;
All the glory be to Him, and Him alone.5
His Victory
The forces of earth united in rebellion against Christ will experience utter defeat. “The Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Rev 17:14). The resounding conquest of Christ is assured. In Revelation 5, John wept loudly when no one in heaven or on earth was found worthy, until “one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals’” (Rev 5:5 ESV). From the kingly tribe, David is the most revered king in the history of God’s people for his emphatic military conquests, yet he pales in contrast to the One who is both a branch from (Jer 23:5) and the root of David. Christ’s worthiness to bear the title is matched by the decisiveness of His victory. While His cross work was vindicated through His victorious resurrection, His consummating work will be demonstrated through His victorious reign.
Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious;
See the Man of Sorrows now;
From the fight returned victorious,
Every knee to Him shall bow:
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the Victor’s brow.6
His Majesty
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory …. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Mat 25:31,34). As He is King of kings and Lord of lords, His throne is His by right and His forever. “The throne of God and of the Lamb” will be the source of the “pure river of water of life” and also the center of our service (Rev 22:1-3). Into the heavenly city, “the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor” (21:24). We eagerly await His majestic exaltation when “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (11:15).
Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!7
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.
2 Thomas Kelly
3 While the sentence structure seems to have the Father in view, the sharing of the title with the Son is unequivocal.
4 James M. Gray
5 Edward Denny
6 Thomas Kelly
7 Edward Perronet
