We Americans don’t really understand royalty. After all, we learned in school how our forefathers defeated a tyrant King to found our country. Lofty words like freedom and inalienable rights were the bedrock of our nation and later enshrined in our Constitution. Though we often use the title “King” to describe power, authority and accomplishment, we have no place in our democracy for such a leader. That we fought and defeated another King, while we were still a young nation may have added to our disrespect for Kingly authority.
Yes, we grew up with nursery rhymes and stories that included Kings, but many of those were comical characters that ridiculed the position. Yes, some stories told of wise and powerful Kings, who were worthy of praise, but they were the exception. Though we are in awe of the pageantry, we liked them better as they became figureheads, with little or no real power. With their every move under scrutiny, we see their faults and mistakes. Americans look at them more like celebrities, whose only duty is to keep their scandals out of the news. Maybe that is why we so easily dismiss the power and authority of the “King of Kings” (Rev 17:14 KJV)?
It was when I started watching Korean historical dramas that I saw the true power that Kings wielded. For the most part, they weren’t figureheads or celebrities. Considered to be chosen by god, they exercised absolute authority. Anything that undermined their authority was treason, for which the penalty was death, along with three generations of their family. Perceived threats, whether real or imagined, were eliminated without trial. Slaves were expected to die to save their King, yet they could be killed for the slightest mistake. Noblemen could die for a failure or for success, if the paranoid monarch saw it as a threat. That kind of fear made people completely submissive to the authority of the King.
Kings in the Bible wielded their power to rule their people and defeat their enemies. People humbled themselves before the King and hoped for his favor, so they could live and prosper. The Kings who obeyed GOD showed mercy and love, but were still powerful rulers and people lived or died at their word. If we could get a glimpse of that we might realize how amazing it is that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). Even in that verse of love and sacrifice, there is a warning to those who ignore GOD’s offer. Without forgiveness, the lost will suffer the wrath of GOD, like those who died in Sodom and Gomorrah and in the flood.
Yes it is truly amazing that GOD made such a sacrifice because of His love for us, but what about JESUS? He has always been and always will be GOD, yet He humbled Himself and came to this world that we might live. He is the “King of Kings” and yet allowed the servants He came to heal and save to beat and kill Him. Those who judged and condemned JESUS will be judged and condemned by Him if they never accepted Him as LORD and SAVIOR. KING JESUS, who humbled Himself and died that you might live (Romans 5:8), will be your Judge if you don’t accept His gift of love. Please accept His love, so you won’t receive His wrath and judgment.
Wayne Lance