In Psalm 47 God exerts his sovereignty over his colonial outpost, Earth as well as its governments and peoples. He is the great King of all the earth the psalm declares: “the powers of the Earth are God’s.” “The powers of the Earth” are the governments, forces and authorities of different nations and kingdoms. ALL governments derive their power from the Lord. He is the fons et origo – the source and origin of ALL power. He is extremely powerful, one to be feared! Psalm 47:2 speaks of his terror – “The Lord Most High is terrible”. He is “terrible” because of the extreme concentration of power in his being, the sheer rawness of power.
To get a visual of the governmental terror of the Lord, let’s look into that apocalyptic compendium called the Book of Revelation: Revelation 19:11-16 MSG: Then I saw Heaven open wide – and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.”
Now we see Jesus Christ in his “terribleness!” This Jesus is not the baby in the manger – the curly haired child in our posters. We tend to forget that all that baby stuff is just the PROCESS of incarnation of God into man. Jesus is NOT a baby! The Jesus in the Book of Revelation is the real Jesus. He is the Commander-in-Chief of armies, the Governor of nations! In the passage, God the Father is referred to as Sovereign-Strong. But Jesus our Lord is referred to as King of kings, the Word of God, the Lord of lords. The Father is not the Son. They are separate and distinct personages. Along with the Spirit of God they constitute the oneness called the Trinity. This is a mystery.
As humans, we are mono-personage. We can only manifest as one personage. But God is not us. He doesn’t have our limitations. God is tri-personage. He chose by Himself to manifest as three distinct personages hence The Trinity. And so we have God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Together they are the unity called The Trinity.
These three personages of God have distinct roles and personalities and histories. The relationship between God the Father and God the Son is not biological. It is governmental. The Son is “the Heir”, the titular Prince. That’s why He’s called Prince of Peace. It’s a political cognomen. God organised Himself as government. He is tria nomina – his name is composed of three parts embedded in three personages. People are often mistaken as to the identity of Jesus and that’s because they don’t understand the concept of the Trinity.
Now, in God’s ministerial portfolio distribution to Himself, Jesus is the designate Saviour of mankind and indeed the world. Why? Because He created us and all that we see! He is “the Word”. The universe was created by the Word of God – God SAID, “Let there be…!” Col. 1:16 AMP: For it was in Him (Jesus) that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen; whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him. It is because of this that all governments are subject to him. It is why He’s the Governor of the nations.
Jesus is not a prophet. He is Creator God! A prophet cannot save; not even himself! We must not confuse the progression of incarnation of Jesus with His essence and His being. He had to become a man to save us. He cannot die as God! But he can die as a man hence incarnation. He died so we can live. The very notion of God dying for us is a bit scary and heavy! What kind of love is this?!
When we say Jesus is Lord we are referring to his political power, his sovereignty as overlord. When Psalm 47 refers to him as King it is not a term of endearment. It is not a religious moniker. It is political realism. It is in his capacity as sovereign over presidents, kings, heads of government that he is referred to as King of kings. Government is upon his shoulders Isaiah declares. It is his responsibility, his schedule. And rulership is his prerogative. As stated in the Book of Daniel, the “Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” If we can venerate mere mortals, how much more must we venerate God the potentate. He can kill and make alive.
We must bend the knee to the Lord in reverence and adoration. His sheer countenance brings favour. His power is beyond compare. His anger must not be trifled with. God’s will MUST take precedence over our wills and desires. He is sovereign Lord. And we see Jesus as a man subordinate himself to God the Father. When caught between two options in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said, “Not my will but Thy will.” We cannot do God’s will unless we follow God’s commands. Commands are not suggestions. Jesus COMMANDS in John 3:7, You must be born again! Will you listen to your Lord?
Please pray this prayer: Father I come to you in the name of Jesus. I subordinate myself to your will. I declare that Jesus is Lord over my life and I accept him as my saviour. Amen!
Now, please go to church. The main reason we go to church is to give God due worship and veneration. Thank you!
© Leke Alder | talk2me@lekealder.com