Christ our Conquering King

Introduction

Philippians 4:4–9 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Joy is a key theme throughout the Letter to the Philippians. The word joy or rejoice is used 12 times in 9 different verses.

Paul's Joy in the Phil (1:4).

Paul's joy in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ (1:18)

Paul's joy in deliverence (1:19) - death or continued labour.

Paul's desire to continue labouring for the progress and joy of the Philippian believers in the faith (1:25).

Paul rejoices at being poured at as a sacrificial offering upon their faith, and he asks that the Philippians rejoice in him (2:18 & 19). 

Rejoice in the Lord (3:1)

My joy and crown (4:1)

Rejoice in the Lord always, again i will say rejoice (4:4)

Paul rejoices at the concern shown by the Philippian Church (4:10).

This is not the first time we read the phrase ‘rejoice in the Lord’. We read this first in Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.” My intention is not to rehash the sermon from June 2023. I do want to remind you of some of the points covered in that sermon becasue they apply here too.

Joy has two forms. The first is the Greek word ‘chara’, which is the noun for ‘joy’, and is found four times in the book of Philippians. Chara or joy literally means ‘the experience of gladness’. The second is the Greek word ‘Chairo’, which is the verb rejoice, and is found eight times in the letter to the Philippians, and means ‘to be in a state of gladness’.

Definition: It is a gladness of heart that comes from a confidence and trust in the Lord, produced by the Spirit of God, that transcends circumstance and comes from knowing God (through his word and our experience) and the assurance that God knows and loves you.

Points from previous sermon.

1) Joy comes from a right relationship with God.

2) Joy is produced in us by the Spirit of God

3) Joy is built on the conviction that God’s words are true

Context within in which our text is written is key to understanding it. Paul is in prison in Rome, Peter will soon be crucified upside down. Christians all over the Roman empire are suffering ridicule and persecution at the hands of the Jews and the Romans, and things are about to get worse.

The Roman Empire between 64 AD and 70 AD was a period of immense turmoil and transition, marked by the Great Fire of Rome, the First Jewish-Roman War, the suicide of Emperor Nero, and the devastating "Year of the Four Emperors" civil war.

Emperor Nero's Reign (Ending in 68 AD)

Great Fire of Rome (64 AD): A massive fire broke out in July 64 AD near the Circus Maximus and raged for nine days, destroying nearly three-quarters of the city's 14 districts. Rumors circulated that Emperor Nero himself started the fire to clear land for his planned lavish palace, the Domus Aurea.

Persecution of Christians (c. 64 AD): To deflect blame for the fire, Nero targeted the small and misunderstood Christian community in Rome, initiating the empire's first state-sponsored persecution. Many Christians were cruelly executed, some burned alive as torches for Nero's nightly garden parties.

First Jewish-Roman War Begins (66 AD): Rising tensions in the province of Judaea, exacerbated by oppressive Roman governors like Gessius Florus, led to a full-scale Jewish rebellion against Roman rule.

Nero's Suicide (68 AD): Facing numerous revolts in the provinces (including Gaul and Spain) and declared a public enemy by the Senate, Nero committed suicide in June 68 AD, ending the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

The Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD)  

Civil War: Following Nero's death, the Empire plunged into a year-long civil war as four different generals vied for the throne in rapid succession.

The emperors in 69 AD were:

Galba: The governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, who was declared emperor after Nero's death but quickly proved unpopular and was murdered by the Praetorian Guard.

Otho: Galba's successor, who ruled for only a few months before being defeated in battle by Vitellius and committing suicide.

Vitellius: The commander of the German legions, who became emperor after Otho's death but was defeated by Vespasian's forces and killed.

Vespasian: The general who had been sent by Nero to crush the Jewish revolt in Judaea. His legions proclaimed him emperor, and after his victory over Vitellius, he established the stable Flavian dynasty. 

Great Revolt in Judaea (continued): Throughout this period of civil war in Rome, the Roman forces under Vespasian and later his son Titus continued to systematically suppress the Jewish rebellion.

Siege and Fall of Jerusalem (70 AD): The conflict culminated in the Siege of Jerusalem by Titus's forces. The city fell in the summer of 70 AD, resulting in the brutal destruction of the city and the Second Temple, a pivotal and devastating event in Jewish history. 

It is in this context then that Paul writes the words, “Rejoice in the Lord, always. Again, I say rejoice.

Three Points:

Christ our King.

Confidence in our King.

Christ our Conqueror

1) Christ our King (vs. 4)

A) Lord

The word ‘Lord’ is used here twice. Once in verse 4 ‘rejoice in the Lord’, and again in verse 5b ‘the Lord is at hand’.

But who is being referred to in these phrases?

The greek word for ‘Lord’ here is the Greek word ‘kyrios’.

Lexham Theological Wordbook κύριος

(kyrios). n. masc. lord, master, Lord. The noun conveys the idea of someone who is in a position of authority.

- This noun, like Hebrew אָדוֹן (ʾādôn, “lord”), can refer to a human master. In the NT, it can refer to a human master over a slave (e.g.,

There is an association of the word Kyrios with Jesus Christ and it is concievable that it is sometimes used with referece to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lexham Theological Wordbook κύριος

However, the association of kyrios with the risen and exalted Jesus is an early Christian confession that acknowledges the superiority of Jesus over all things (e.g.,

The phrase “for the Lord” is said to refer to the risen saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. At least that is how it is commonly interpreted. Is the use of the word, Lord here in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, or a reference to God the Father. Does it matter?

Lexham Theological Wordbook κύριος

However, the association of kyrios with the risen and exalted Jesus is an early Christian confession that acknowledges the superiority of Jesus over all things (e.g.,

I believe that the word, Lord or Kyrios used here is in fact a reference to Jesus Christ. It is a reference to his Lordship over all creation, to him being master of the universe, to him being the conquering King seated at the right hand of the father, who rules the nations with a rod of iron. This view is consitent with other passages that refer to Jesus as being Lord:

Romans 10:9 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

1 Corinthians 12:3 “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.”

Philippians 2:11 “and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

It is my view that the use of the word ‘Lord’ here is in reference to The Lord Jesus Christ. This may not seem revolutionary, but I want you to consider who Jesus Christ is at this point in history. Remember that this book was written between 62AD and 64AD, while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. The Lord Jesus Christ has been dead for 30 years. Yet, Paul commands the Philippians to rejoice in him.

Cast your eyes up to Philippians 2:9–11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus Christ is who? Lord. What does that mean?

King:

It means that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 17:14 “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.””)

Ruler:

Ephesians 1:20–22 “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,”

Potentate (possesses great power and authority):

1 Timothy 6:15 “which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,”

B) Rejoice

Notice that the locus of important here is not on the individual. Paul says rejoice in the Lord. The locus here is on the Ruler and King. It is the kind of delight and celebration that comes when a triumphant ruler enters a city after a great battle. It is the kind of rejoicing that Christ experienced when he entered Jerusalem at the triumphal entry:

Matthew 21:8–9 “Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!””

C) Always

the word always here means ‘at all times’.

We often believe rejoicing to occur during times of health, wealth, and prosperity. But this is not true.

Rejoice through suffering:

In Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,” It is as though Pauls speaks of suffering as a gift or an honour. Paul says rejoice.

Philippians 2:14–18 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

James 1:2–4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Acts 5:41 “Then they (Peter and other apostles) left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

Rejoicing for Christians is counter intuitive - we do not rejoice in ourselves or in our stuff. We rejoice in Christ, and every circumstance that he brings to pass. To rejoice in the Lord means to recognise that the Lord rules of all circumstances and that he knows your every need. It means that he is faithful and that he will fulfill his promises. It means that the words he speaks are true and can be trusted. It means that nothing happens on earth without his divine hand of providence bringing it to pass.

2) Confidence in our King (vs. 5a)

Rejoicing in the Lord, leads to quiet assurance and confidence. It leads to reasonableness and gentleness.

Philippians 4:5a “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

The word reasonableness is also translated as gentleness, meekness, or mildness. Gentleness is one of the fruits of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22 - 23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

The best analogy for gentleness that I can think of is the arrest of Jesus. Compare for a moment the calm assuredness of Christ and the rash impulsivity of Peter.

John 18:3–11 ESV

So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

What we see in Christ here is not weakness, but immense strength of character. Christ knows that if he wanted to he call down 12 legions of angels to defend himself, yet he doesn’t. Christ has already sent the soldiers stumbling backwards merely with the words “I am He” and he could easily banish this rabble with a mere command. Yet, he doesn’t. Instead he resigns himself to will of the father. That is immense strength.

Peter displays a brashness and impulsivity in line with his immaturity at this point. He responds in anger, allowing his emotions to dictate his actions.

Application

Brothers and sisters, our confidence and hope are in the Lord. We do not need to fight his battles, he will. We do not force or compel people to come to faith in Christ at the end of sword or the barrel of a gun as some other religions have done. We don’t build the Church of Christ through conquest tyranny. The glorious truths of God should flow from our hearts through our lips and touch the hearts and minds of those who hear us, and our lives should back it up.

Ephesians 4:15 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”

This is something that I have battled with in recent years. What if I say something crazy like, there are only two genders (male and female)? What if I refuse to call a person they/them and instead call them he/she. What if I say, “Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life and no one (no one!) gets to the father except through him”? What if I refuse to acknowledge evolutionary theory as scientific or even true? What if I get cancelled for the saying or doing the wrong thing?

You can get yourself into panic impulsive tizz if you think about all of the whatifs.

If you have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, then the light which is the good news of the gospel is in you and that light will shine into a dark and dying world whether you want it to or not.

In Philippians 2:14–15 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Matthew 5:14–15 ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”

Christ Our Hope In Life And Death

What is our hope in life and death? Christ alone, Christ alone What is our only confidence? That our souls to Him belong

Who holds our days within His hand? What comes, apart from His command And what will keep us to the end? The love of Christ in which we stand

Oh, sing hallelujah Our hope springs eternal Oh, sing hallelujah Now and ever we confess Christ, our hope in life and death

What truth can calm the troubled soul? God is good, God is good Where is His grace and goodness known? In our great Redeemer's blood

Who holds our faith when fears arise? Who stands above the stormy trial? Who sends the waves that bring us nigh Unto the shore? The rock of Christ

Oh, sing hallelujah Our hope springs eternal Oh, sing hallelujah Now and ever we confess Christ, our hope in life and death

Unto the grave, what will we sing? "Christ, He lives, Christ, He lives!" And what reward will Heaven bring? Everlasting life with Him

There we will rise to meet the Lord Then sin and death will be destroyed And we will feast in endless joy When Christ is ours forevermore (forevermore)

Oh, sing hallelujah Our hope springs eternal Oh, sing hallelujah Now and ever we confess Christ, our hope in life and death (oh, sing)

Oh, sing hallelujah Our hope springs eternal Oh, sing hallelujah Now and ever we confess Christ, our hope in life and death Now and ever we confess Christ, our hope in life and death

(Matt Boswell / Matt Papa / Keith Getty / Matt Merker / Jordan Kauflin)

3) Christ the Conqueror (vs. 5b)

Philippians 4:5 “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;”

Controversy

Within the context of this passage, there is controversy. I want to make it clear that the views that I am going to share on this passage are mine. My views do not represent the view of the church or any of the other elders. Also, views and opinions on the end times are not essential doctrines within the Church and are very much secondary. I realise that my view and understanding are not widely embraced and that I disagree with many far more gifted and intelligent theologians than me, I do so humbly.

Really what I want out of this discussion is for you to apply your mind to the text. If this stirs discussion and theological reflection, if it causes you to look into the book of Revelation more deeply and to stand in awe of the exalted Christ who is Lord of all things past, present, and future, then this sermon will not be in vain.

My view of the book of Revelation is that much of it has already taken place. Kenneth Gentry somes it up like this, “the closer we get to the year 2000, the further we get from the the events of the book of Revelation”. This is the preterest view, it is also sometimes called post-millenial view. Essentially, it holds that John wrote the book of Revelation before AD 70, probably between 64 and 66AD. It was written to Christians in Asia minor, not to future Christians like you and I, and it was an ecouragement for Christians to persevere through what were going to be unprecedented events and circumstances. We see this in Revelation 14:12 “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” That is why the book was written.

Context

The context for these verses is given in Chapter 4:5b “For the Lord is at hand”. This phrase seems like an inocuous phrase, it is a phrase that we glance over so easily. This phrase is also among verses that are so well known and loved that we miss its signficance because of the emphasis placed on the other verses that surround it. Yet, it is essential to our understanding of what Paul is speaking about in these verses.

Why?

It helps us understand Paul’s command to be “rejoice in the Lord always”.

It helps us understand Pual’s command Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

It also helps us understand the coming of the peace of which surpasses all understanding and how this peace then guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (vs. 7).

The meaning of each of these famous verses hangs upon the meaning of verse 5b. We don’t have time this morning to deal with verses 6 & 7, but I do want to help you understand verse 5b as best I can and lay the groundwork for a future sermon on verse 6 & 7.

Content

When Paul uses the phrase, “For the Lord is at hand” what does he mean?

The phrase, ‘at hand’ denotes a short period of time. In other places in the bible it is translated as near, or soon to take place.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament ἐγγύς

2.

It is therefore my view, that the phrase “For the Lord is at hand” is in fact a reference to the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ in Judgement of Jerusalem and the Jewish system which had rejected him. The men who once cried crucify him, were soon going to be judged and destroyed. The Jewish religious system was cast down and destroyed. The temple, which had become a den of thieves was raised to the ground. Christ was victorious over his enemies.

To understand this, we must use other passages in the new testament that refer to imminent return of God the Father, and there are many.

Coming Soon

It seems to me, that just like a master musician is able to use a gradual increase in the volume of musical instruments, increasing rythmical density, the layering of instruments, and rising pitch to build a song towards a crescendo, so the new testament uses frequent references to the imminent return of the Lord that leads to a crescendo in the year 70AD.

It starts in Deuteronomy 28, where the Lord promises blessings upon Israel for obedience, and curses for disobedience.

Deuteronomy 28:15–19 ESV

“But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.

Deuteronomy 28:20 ““The Lord will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me.”

Deuteronomy 28:25 ““The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them. And you shall be a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.”

Deuteronomy 28:36 ““The Lord will bring you and your king whom you set over you to a nation that neither you nor your fathers have known. And there you shall serve other gods of wood and stone.”

Deuteronomy 28:45 ““All these curses shall come upon you and pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that he commanded you.”

Deuteronomy 28:52 ““They shall besiege you in all your towns, until your high and fortified walls, in which you trusted, come down throughout all your land. And they shall besiege you in all your towns throughout all your land, which the Lord your God has given you.”

Deuteronomy 28:58 ““If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God,”

Deuteronomy 28:64 ““And the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known.”

It is true to say that these curses do not refer to a specific occassion of disobedience on Israel’s behalf. Instead, these consequences were visited upon Israel on at least six different occassions. However, the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 was different because it was spoken of as the final divorce agreement between God and idolatrous Israel.

John 4:21–24 “Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.””

Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Matthew 23:29–24:2 ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ” Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.””

Matthew 24:32–35 ““From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Hebrews 10:24–25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

James 5:8 “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”

Revelation 22:7 ““And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.””

Revelation 22:12 ““Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

The climax or crescendo of these promises of looming judgement and destruction is the destruction of the second temple in AD70. It is not the bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ, we still await that event. It is the judgement of Jerusalem, referred to as Babylon the great, the great prostitute of the book of Revelation. God destroyed the very city in which he had previously set His name. Seen in: Matthew 24:30 “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

It is out of the ashes of Jersusalem and the destruction of the temple, that God then builds his Church and establishes Christ as its Head.

The picture of our conquering King

English Standard Version Chapter 19

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.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

Application

What have you done with this conquering King? We have not been speaking about baby Jesus meak and mild. We have been speaking about Jesus Christ the conquering King who will never be ruled by His enemies again. It is this Christ who rules and reigns now, it is this Christ who destroyed the system and the people that put him to death, it is this Christ who will likewise destroy all those who continue to defy. Luke 13:3 “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Those of you whose faith is in the Lord, recognise that the victory of sin and death belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. Because this victory is His, you can endure the sufferings of this life and remain firm in your faith. The Lord doesn’t promise to remove our sufferings, he only promises to give us grace to endure.

Revelation 7:9–17 ESV

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Rejoice in the Lord.