“11 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. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many
diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is
clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The
Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and
pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword
with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of
iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord
of lords.”
This is a
truth that all should be told and all should proclaim, because Jesus is the
only rightful ruler of this world, the King of kings.
Even if some
proclaim Christ is King for the wrong reasons and wrong motivations, it's never
wrong to proclaim the truth,
"12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened
to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known
throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is
for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by
my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but
others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put
here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of
selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ
is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (Philippians 1:12-18)
There have
always been those who have wanted to preach Christ from perverted motives. But
such is the power of God that even donkeys can be used from time to time to
preach the truth.
Of course,
it is always better for the one making the proclamation to do it from sincere
motives. Because every time you proclaim Christ is King, you reinforce the
truth that he is the just judge who will return to earth to judge all,
including yourself. So make sure you don’t just proclaim it. Make sure you give
your allegiance to him and trust in him for your salvation. Because only in
confessing him as Lord can you be saved.
This
statement, Christ is King, has always been offensive to the sinful mind, but
especially to those who deny he is the Messiah,
“63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to
him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of
God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you
will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the
clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has
uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his
blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67
Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying,
“Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” (Matt. 26:63-68).
But one day
all flesh will proclaim this truth,
“8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by
becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God
has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:8-11).
It is to
everyone’s eternal benefit to proclaim Jesus as Lord now, before he comes.
Because when he is revealed in his full glory, there will be no opportunity for
repentance left.
Viva Cristo Rey!
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