In the Complete Jewish Bible this is translated “For kingship, power and glory are yours for ever”.
These words stir in me a sense of triumph and victory, like being part of the victory shout in a winning team, or experiencing the glorious finale of a great orchestral symphony. It stirs again in me the desire to win through this race of life, to be in that number who are with Jesus when He returns to claim His throne. I truly do “want to be in that number when the saints come marching in!”
Jesus spoke quite a bit about the Kingdom of Heaven, describing it in parables. In Matthew 13:45 Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven as like a merchant on the lookout for fine pearls. On finding one very valuable pearl he went away, sold everything he owned and bought it. Are you outrageous and crazy enough to give everything you own to be a part of God’s Kingdom?
Looking at the parable the other way around, our Heavenly Father is so totally over-the-top crazy about you and me that He gave what was most precious to Him, Jesus, His only Son, as a sacrifice to redeem us to be a part of His Kingdom to come!
Thinking About Kingship
God’s power and glory are described on many occasions throughout the Bible, but it’s his kingship that I’ve thought about this week in a bit of detail.
Kingship belongs to our Heavenly Father to bestow on whom He wills. It’s a done deal!
He made an unconditional covenant with King David (2 Sam 7:16) that his kingdom would be made secure and set up forever. In a discussion with Jesus (Matt 22:42) the Pharisees were quite clear that the Messiah / Anointed one would be a descendant of David’s because of the various Old Testament prophecies. When asked by the Magi where was the new-born king of the Jews, King Herod checked and was told by the priests and Torah teachers to go look in Bethlehem (Matt 2:2).
The fisherman Andrew went searching for his brother Simon, told him “We’ve found the Messiah” and took him to Jesus (John 1:41). The written notice above Jesus on His execution stake stated “This is Yeshua, king of the Jews” (Matt 27:37).
Peter, addressing a crowd in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, spelt it out that Jesus was the awaited descendant of David, Lord and Messiah, having victory over death, now seated at Adonai’s right hand, all as prophesied (Acts 2:14-36).
John, in his book Revelation, shared a vision (Rev 19:11) of one sitting on a white horse, called ‘the Word of God’ (a name for Jesus that John uses at the beginning of his gospel), but also given the name ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’. He will lead Heaven’s armies to take back the rulership of the world. And Paul, in Thessalonians 4:16, describes similarly of Jesus coming down from Heaven “with a rousing cry”, after which we who have put our trust in this salvation will always be with Him.
Daily Decision
So the ultimate kingship, power and glory over everything…for ever, belongs to our Heavenly Father. But that leaves us each with a decision to be made daily, and here is where there is so often a battle with our old, prideful, selfish nature (why is it so hard at times?).
It’s the decision to submit everything in loving, trusting obedience…all of our thoughts, words and actions…to our most amazing, gracious Heavenly King.
Author: John Quinlan