DISCOURSE: 2526
CHRIST THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
Revelation 19:16. He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
OF all the Apostles none seem to have been so highly favoured as John. While yet. Jesus was on earth, John was characterized above all others as the Disciple whom Jesus loved; and, after his exaltation to heaven, John was preserved in the world many years longer than any other Apostle, and was honoured with a multitude of visions declarative of the state of the Church to the remotest period of time. The vision contained in the context foretels the destruction of antichrist in the latter days, and the consequent establishment of Christ’s kingdom upon earth. The person riding upon a white horse as a mighty Conqueror, is the Lord Jesus Christ himself; who is before described as having “eyes like a flame of fire,” and “a sharp sword going forth out of his mouth [Note: Compare Revelation 19:12; Revelation 19:15. with Revelation 1:14; Revelation 1:16.];” who is beyond all doubt “the word of God [Note: Compare Revelation 19:13. with John 1:1; John 1:14.],” and whose name is truly “Wonderful;” being incomprehensible to any except himself and his eternal Father [Note: Compare Revelation 19:12. with Isaiah 9:6 and Matthew 11:27.]. In noticing that part of the description which is contained in the text, there are two things to be considered:
I. The name by which he is called—
The august title which is here given to Christ denotes,
1. His universal dominion—
[The kings and lords of this world have only a limited sway: they rule over a certain tract of country and a certain portion of mankind, but they are independent of each other. But Jesus Christ rules over them: they are all his vassals, and more entirely subject to his will than the meanest of their servants are to theirs. There is not a principality or power in earth, or heaven, or hell, that is not altogether dependent upon him. He has “a name given him that is above every name [Note: Philippians 2:9-11.];” “he is Heir and Lord of all [Note: Hebrews 1:2.];” “and he doth according to his will in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; nor can any stay his hand or say unto him, What doest thou [Note: Daniel 4:35.]?”
It is true that there are many who are enemies to him, and rebels against his authority: but though they think to break his bands asunder and cast away his cords from them, he “has his hook in their nose and his bridle in their jaws,” and says to them, as he does to the sea, “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.” They all unwittingly fulfil his will, even while they labour most to counteract it: and, when they seem most to prevail against him, they accomplish only his secret purposes [Note: Exodus 9:16; Isaiah 10:5-7; Isaiah 10:15. His dominion over his Church in particular, might also be here opened, together with the manner in which he protects his people, and reigns in all their hearts Ephesians 1:20-23.]
2. His proper Godhead—
[The name here given to Christ is that which belongs to the one supreme God [Note: Deuteronomy 10:17.], and to him alone [Note: 1 Timothy 6:15-16.] — — — And well may it be given to him, since there is not any other name of the Deity which he does not bear [Note: Isaiah 40:3. with Mark 1:1-3. The mighty God. Isaiah 9:6.] — — — Nor any attribute which he does not possess [Note: Eternity, Micah 5:2. Omnipresence, Matthew 28:20. Omniscience, John 21:17. Omnipotence, Matthew 28:18.] — — — Nor any honour peculiar to the Deity, which he does not receive [Note: Acts 7:59; John 14:1. John 5:23.] — — — We may be assured therefore that Jesus is not a mere subordinate King, but “God over all, blessed for evermore [Note: Romans 9:5.].”]
While the text proclaims his name, it leads us very particularly to notice,
II.
The manner in which it is manifested—
Whether the inscription of his name upon “his vesture” refer to any custom of that nature that obtained among great men or conquerors, we cannot say: but the inscription of it upon “his thigh” must certainly mean that his name was written upon his sword, which hung upon his thigh [Note: Psalms 45:3.]. Of the general import of the passage we have no doubt: his “vesture dipped in blood,” denoted his past victories [Note: Isaiah 63:1-4.], and his sword hanging upon his thigh, denoted his state of preparation for future triumphs; the inscription therefore altogether means,
1. That he has manifested his power in his past victories—
[Jesus has already given abundant proofs of his almighty power and universal dominion. Look at Pharaoh and his hosts; how vain was their opposition to him; how signal and complete their ruin! Behold the seven nations of Canaan; how they melted before him as snow before the meridian sun! See his once highly favoured people the Jews; how he has verified his word towards them, “wiping Jerusalem as a dish, and turning it upside down [Note: 2 Kings 21:13.].” Look at all his enemies in every age; Have they prevailed? Is not His cause still triumphant? and have not multitudes of his enemies already been made his footstool? Yes, not Julian only (the apostate), but thousands and tens of thousands have been forced to acknowledge the power of Jesus, and, with the affrighted Bethshemites, to cry, “Who shall stand before this holy Lord God [Note: 1 Samuel 6:20.]?” If then the “Lord is known by the judgments which he executeth [Note: Psalms 9:16.],” our blessed Saviour has made known in this very way his eternal power and Godhead.]
2. That he will manifest it in his future victories—
[There is a time coming when Jesus shall put forth his almighty power, and “subdue all nations to the obedience of faith.” In the words following our text, he declares how extensive shall be his victories, and that all who oppose him shall be as tow before the fire. His victories here will be easy, certain, terrible [Note: Isaiah 25:10-11.Psalms 7:11-13.Deuteronomy 32:41-42.]. But what if we look into the eternal world? O what proofs shall we there see of his irresistible, almighty power [Note: Psalms 11:6; Psalms 21:8-9.]! Let us be assured of this, that, though we be kings and lords, we must become his subjects; and that, if we will not bow to the sceptre of his grace, “we shall be broken in pieces, as a potter’s vessel.”]
Infer—
1.
How deeply are we concerned to know whether Christ be our King!
[We must not imagine that he is our King, merely because we profess ourselves his subjects. We must inquire, Whether we have been translated from the kingdom of Satan, and brought as strangers into the kingdom of Christ [Note: Colossians 1:13.]? We must also inquire, Whether we are living in obedience to him? For there is nothing more certain, than that “his servants and subjects we are to whom we obey [Note: Romans 6:16; John 15:14.].” If we are not his, there can be no doubt whose we are: and therefore we should labour to ascertain the point, and to have our evidence clear that “we are Christ’s.”]
2. How awful will it be to be found amongst his enemies!
[“We may be sure, whoever we are, that he will overcome at last:” his name is a pledge of universal conquest [Note: Revelation 17:14.Luke 19:27.]. And how terrible will be the wrath of the Lamb [Note: Revelation 6:16.]! O let us kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and we perish from the way [Note: Psalms 2:12.]
3. How secure are all his faithful subjects!
[Other kings may be subdued; but He never can: other kings may bring the heaviest calamities upon their subjects; He will bring nothing to them but peace and joy. “None can harm us, if we be his followers.” “If He be for us, none can be effectually against us.” “Let the children of Zion therefore be joyful in their King [Note: Psalms 149:2.]:” yea, to all his subjects we will say, with David, “The Lord is King over all the earth; sing ye praises with understanding [Note: Psalms 47:7.].”]