King of Kings

Dec. 15

Read: Jeremiah 27

King of Kings

“It is I (the Lord) who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me.” (v.5)

The Lord appoints into leadership those who “seem right” to HIM. He doesn’t seem to ask us what we like, or how we would do it. It is sobering to think that the Lord said these words to his people concerning the coming take over by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. We forget that God has this sort of power. When we read what the Lord says in Jeremiah 27, the picture becomes more clear. Nebuchadnezzars reign is a discipline for the people of God, one designed to refine them. The Lord gives his people instruction as to how they should act… with a willingness to obey and accept the correction. (cf. 6,11) Even in the midst of correction there is instruction and blessing from the Lord. His desire is to refine and restore his people… always.

When the Lord “gives the land” to whomever “seems right” to him, it does not mean that those people believe correctly about the Lord or that their actions should be mimicked. Obviously the Lord is not endorsing the false gods of Babylon, or implying that Nebuchadnezzar lives an exemplary life or has good theology… none of that! The Lord is not affirming the pagan rituals of Babylon. In fact, it is quite the opposite. By bringing these pagans into power, it draws their rituals even closer which amplifies the difference between their actions and those of the people of God. The proximity of Babylon to Israel should mean a stark contrast between the two nations and their actions. What we know for sure is that it would be a losing battle to fight against Nebuchadnezzar:

“But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the LORD, until I have consumed it by his hand.” (v.8)

There will be those people who reject the coming punishment of the Lord. These people try to ignore what God has clearly said is coming: “So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish.” (v.9) I can’t help but wonder who OUR “prophets, diviners, dreamers, fortune-tellers, and sorcerers” are who are lying to us and telling us that there is no pending correction for our disobedient actions? Who is it that is lying to us?

So where is the “good news” in all of this?

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war…On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Rev. 19:11,16)

“It is I (the Lord) who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me… (and that is why I - the Lord - have given Jesus all of it and) On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Jesus has been the one ultimately appointed King over all kings and Lord over all lords. Jesus is the one who ultimately rules over all of it. When we focus on the so called “Nebuchadnezzar’s” of this world, we lose sight of the true KING OF kings. At every level it is true that God appoints and gives to whom it seems right, but it has “seemed right” in the most final and ultimate sense that the Lord has appointed CHRIST King and Lord over all. It is just a matter of time before ALL things are brought into their right standing in Christ.

This is the end goal for Jesus: “Then comes the end, when (Jesus) delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” (v. 1Cor. 15:24,25) Any earthly leader entrusted with power still comes under the hierarchy of God… Jesus remains over all things. If someone or something is an enemy of Christ, it (or they) will be brought under his feet. Period. Full stop.

As the people of God we cannot listen to the band of liars who are telling us disobedience has no consequence. Likewise, we must embrace God’s control and recognize that ““It is the Lord who by his great power and outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and he gives it to whomever it seems right to him.” This doesn’t in any way change our ultimate calling which is to KING JESUS. Christ has called us to rule “with him, like him, and for him”. We can try to come out form under the “yoke” that God has sent in this earthly government, but in the end there is no life in that game. When will the people of God shift their eyes off of earthly politics and gaze upon the one who is on the white horse, whose name is “faithful and true”… the one with a thigh tattoo that says “KING of kings and LORD of lords”? This is the one who came to us in a manger. This is Jesus. May our hearts and minds be captured by a vision of the true king, and may we be set free from the fear and anxiety that comes from attaching ourselves to the rulers of this world! Turn off the TV. Pause the podcast. Step away from social media and the political spin cycle. Spend some time with your true king - Jesus. Love you guys. JDP