CHRIST THE KING ETERNAL

Dearly Beloved, CHRIST THE KING ETERNAL "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (Micah 5:2, NIV). "...our Lord Jesus Christ ... God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords..." (1 Timothy 6:14-15, NIV). The word "Christ" is a transliteration from the Greek word "Christos" that simply means the anointed one. Its Aramaic form is "meshicha" from where the English word "Messiah" came. It designates Jesus as the fulfiller of the Messianic hopes of the Old Testament and of the Jewish people. A king is a person that rules a town, province, country, etc. He has the power to rule or govern, and has authority over the people in such town, province, country, etc. The word "eternal" denotes something/somebody that has no beginning and no end. Jesus Christ was the King eternal in the past because of many reasons. The writers of the Old Testament prophesied about Him: (1) as the righteous King from David "who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land" (Jeremiah 23:5, NIV. See also 33:15; Isaiah 11:1-5); (2) as One whose "government and peace there will be no end [who] will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom" (Isaiah 9:7, NIV); (3) as a "ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (Micah 5:2, NIV). There are many prophecies about His kingship in Psalms 2:6-11; 72; 110; Isaiah 2:1-4; 32:1; 33:17; Daniel 2:44. All these prophecies especially the one in Micah 5:2 prove that He had been in existence before His birth. Jesus Christ was the King eternal in His life’s time. These are some of the evidences. One, the wise men from the East saw His star as that of a king (Matthew 2). Two, His miracles, especially the ones over nature, showed Him as the King over the universe. Three, in fulfillment of another Old Testament prophecy, He rode into Jerusalem during His Triumphal Entry (see Matthew 21:1-11; Zechariah 9:9). Four, the chief priests rightly accused Him of calling Himself a king during His trial before Pilate (Luke 23:2; John 19:12). Five, during that trial, He talk about His kingdom, and even affirmed the probing of Pilate that He was a king (John 18:36-37). Presently, Jesus Christ is the King eternal who is seated "...in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything..." (Ephesians 1:20-22, NIV. See also Acts 5:31; Hebrews 1:3; 2:9). In the future, Jesus Christ will continue to be the King eternal. He will judge the whole universe with righteousness (Revelation 19:11-16). All nations will worship Him (Revelation 15:3-4). He will reign forever and ever! (Revelation 11:15). The implication of the eternal kingship of Jesus Christ is that every man must ascribe unto Him honor due unto Him by accepting Him as the Savior and Lord that will continue to rule over him/her from now until eternity. Only those who allow Him to reign over them will reign with Him in His eternal kingdom at the end of ages (Daniel 7:18, 27; Romans 8:18; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:4). Have you accepted Him as the King over your life? You have no option. He will judge you one day! (see Acts 17:30-31; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15). Jesus Christ is the King eternal! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will allow Jesus Christ the eternal King to reign in your life so that you will be able to reign with Him in eternity.