Thursday, January 5, 2012

Christ - Our Returning King

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.’” Revelation 19:11-16

Jesus came as a man, a person, much like any one of us. He willingly chose to lay aside His royal robe of glory to take on the tattered robe of humanity. Though sinless, He knew what it felt like to cry, to laugh, and to suffer, disappointment. He felt the encroachment of rejection and the sting of loneliness. He knew there would be times when we felt unloved and unwanted.

He could have chosen any number of avenues, but He chose to come as a baby. All power was His to command. Angels stood waiting to meet His every request. Yet He became a servant so we might grasp the hope of God.

And except for a chorus of angels singing to a band of misfit shepherds, His first coming almost went unnoticed. It was not much of a birth announcement for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He slipped into the pool of humanity with barely a ripple in the clamor of Bethlehem. However, when He returns He will come as the returning Lord and ruling King. His first coming opened the way to salvation. His second coming will be to establish His kingdom.

Do you know Him as Savior and Lord? If not, take this moment to ask Him to come into your heart. Ask as a child. He will not refuse you.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout...” 1 Thessalonians 4:16