Dear Subjects of Christ the King,
I’m sure we’ve experienced this situation before. We find ourselves under two authority figures. It might be parents or bosses at work. As long as one of them grants our wish, we can consider that “the last word.” Unfortunately, sometimes this plan backfires when the authorities work together to get their responses lined up. “Dad, I’m hungry. Can I have a cookie?” “I don’t know, what’ll your Mom say? Dinner’s in an hour.” “Oh Dad! Grrrr.”
It isn’t just “cookies before dinner” where this happens. It’s human nature to ask until we get an answer we like. There are many versions of right and wrong … acceptable and unacceptable … truth and untruth in today’s world. And we can usually find someone to support our version. If we can’t … it’s okay to just make it up and call it right, acceptable, and true. The topic might be “cookies before dinner” or something critical – care of the poor, premarital sex, or acquisition of wealth. Truth varies based on who thinks they’re in charge.
Unfortunately for many in the world – including kings, presidents, prime ministers, our favorite bloggers or political pundits – aren’t the last word in this world. They may point to their own concept of freedom to justify premarital sex or the use of clever business practices to acquire excess wealth. They may justify care of the poor using the logic that strong work ethic enables one to get what they need. But these aren’t the last word. The last word comes from “the Ancient of Days” and the “Son of Man.” People may ignore their Last Word, but it’s at their own peril.
Daniel says, “The Ancient of Days took His seat … the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:9-10) As this happened, another arrives, “One like the Son of Man … to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him … an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away.” (Daniel 7:13-14) John’s Revelation explains more clearly, “Jesus Christ … the ruler of kings on the earth … He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.” (Revelation 1:5-7) When Jesus, the King of the Universe, returns … He will be the Last Word … and many may not like it. As far as He’s concerned, it doesn’t matter what the “kings” of this world say.
Where do we find King Jesus’ Last Word? He told many, “My kingdom is not of this world … For this purpose I was born … to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:36-37) If we want the ultimate Last Word, look in God’s Word. What does God’s Word say about anything in this world? Read and listen to God’s Word carefully. It is the Last Word. Against that Word, the world will be judged when King Jesus – who loves us, frees us from sin, makes us His priests, and returns to bring us into His kingdom (Revelation 1:5-6). God’s Word, the Last Word.
In the Love of the King,
Pastor Jim