Page 23 - September 2026 - Truth & Tidings

o title speaks so comprehensively and powers. While He rightly owns the
to His unrivalled greatness. Such great title now, He will yet possess it in full
Nmagnificence is all the more resplendence in His future manifestation.
glorious when set over against His con- Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
descension. “Where is He who has been Hark! Those loud triumphant chords.
born King of the Jews?” (Mat 2:2) was Jesus takes the highest station;
1
a question as unsettling for Herod and O what joy the sight affords!
Jerusalem as it was unprecedented for
the world of royals and monarchs. The Crown Him! Crown Him!
inscription “This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of kings, and Lord of lords! 2
King of the Jews” was an announcement His Deity
as unbearable for the priests and Jews
as it was unexpected by everyone else. The OT references to this title refer
Over many centuries, countless princes to God the Father. “For the LORD your
had been birthed, but kings are made, not God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the
born. Many thousands had been impaled great God, mighty and awesome …” (Deu
on stakes, but kings are coronated, not cru- 10:17). The fact that the NT uses it of both
3
cified. And yet, it was true, He was born a Father (1Ti 6:15-16) and Son (Rev 17:14;
King and died a King, marked throughout 19:16) is a powerful affirmation of the de-
His life as the rejected Sovereign. Though ity of Christ, “for in him all the fullness
“a rugged cross became His throne” on of God was pleased to dwell” (Col 1:19
earth, the One who occupied the throne ESV). As Paul emphasizes His unassail-
from eternity (Isa 6:1; Mic 5:2) will do the able might and His unapproachable glory,
same for eternity (Psa 45:6). it is clear that only One who is verily God
could rightfully possess the title. The ex-
His Supremacy alted Adonai who sits on the throne in Isa-

Both “kings” (rule) and “lords” (author- iah 6 is declared to be Christ Himself (Joh
ity) describe figures who have attained 12:41). God the Father addresses the King,
the pinnacle of human influence and His Son, and calls Him God, distinguish-
position on earth. Nebuchadnezzar was ing Him from His “companions” both by
called “king of kings” (Eze 26:7), but he His character and anointing (Heb 1:8-9).
acknowledged to Daniel, “Your God is the No angel could His place have taken,
God of gods, the Lord of kings” (Dan 2:47). Highest of the high though He.
The superlative title “King of Kings and Yet One came down from Heaven’s glory,
Lord of Lords” underscores that above Was One of the Godhead three! 4
the greatest of earthly figures stands the
unsurpassed greatness of God in Christ, His Authority
the “King of glory” (Psa 24). While men The mentions of this title in Revelation
jostle desperately for influence and power, emphasize His administration of justice
Christ is declared to be the unrivalled
Sovereign. He is both the Creator (Col 2 Thomas Kelly
1:16) and Head (2:10) of all principalities 3 While the sentence structure seems to have the
Father in view, the sharing of the title with the
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the Son is unequivocal.
NKJV unless otherwise noted. 4 James M. Gray
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