Topical Encyclopedia
IntroductionThe title "King Christ: Supreme" encapsulates the Christian belief in the absolute sovereignty and preeminence of Jesus Christ as King. This concept is deeply rooted in Scripture, where Christ is portrayed as the ultimate ruler over all creation, both in the present age and in the age to come. His kingship is characterized by divine authority, eternal reign, and redemptive power.
Biblical FoundationThe kingship of Christ is prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. In
Isaiah 9:6-7, the prophet foretells the coming of a ruler whose government and peace will have no end: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." This prophecy points to the eternal and divine nature of Christ's reign.
In the New Testament, the kingship of Christ is affirmed in numerous passages. In
Matthew 28:18, Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." This statement underscores His supreme authority over all realms. Furthermore, in
Revelation 19:16, Christ is depicted as the "King of kings and Lord of lords," a title that signifies His ultimate dominion over all earthly and heavenly powers.
Christ's KingdomThe kingdom of Christ is both a present reality and a future hope. In
Luke 17:20-21, Jesus explains that "the kingdom of God is in your midst," indicating that His reign begins in the hearts of believers. This spiritual kingdom is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (
Romans 14:17).
However, the full manifestation of Christ's kingdom is eschatological, awaiting His second coming.
Revelation 11:15 proclaims, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever." This future aspect of His kingdom will be marked by the complete restoration of creation and the final defeat of all opposing forces.
Christ's Role as KingAs King, Christ fulfills several key roles:
1.
Ruler: Christ exercises sovereign rule over all creation.
Colossians 1:16-17 states, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
2.
Judge: Christ is the righteous judge who will execute justice. In
John 5:22, Jesus says, "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son." His judgments are just and true, reflecting His holy nature.
3.
Redeemer: As King, Christ is also the Redeemer who delivers His people from sin and death.
Ephesians 1:7-8 declares, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."
4.
Shepherd: Christ is the Shepherd-King who cares for His flock. In
John 10:11, He identifies Himself as the "good shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep, demonstrating His sacrificial love and commitment to His people.
The Response to Christ's KingshipBelievers are called to respond to Christ's kingship with worship, obedience, and allegiance.
Philippians 2:9-11 emphasizes the universal acknowledgment of His lordship: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 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."
In light of His supreme kingship, Christians are encouraged to live lives that reflect His rule, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness (
Matthew 6:33) and proclaiming His excellencies to the world (
1 Peter 2:9).
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 89:27Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
Torrey's Topical TextbookRevelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Revelation 19:16
And he has on his clothing and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Answer to Another Objection, Showing that the Destruction of ...
... the great King, diminished nothing from the supreme majesty and ... been "the city of
the great King," [3833] it ... these, according to the flesh, were Christ and the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter iv answer to another objection.htm
Pleasing Christ
... widest circumference of the surface of our lives, enthrone Him as absolute Lord,
and take His good pleasure as our supreme law. Jesus Christ is King because He ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/pleasing christ.htm
Christ Our Passover
... just as our Lord would have fulfilled the prophecy about the King coming 'meek ... Himself
for the Passover we have a strange instance of Christ's supreme authority ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/christ our passover.htm
Christ's Work of Destruction and Deliverance. Rev. John H. James.
... it to vanish completely when the supreme moment came ... day of our eternal marriage
with the King of glory ... in that cross whereby our Saviour Christ "hath abolished ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/christs work of destruction and.htm
Christ and Pilate: the True King and his Counterfeit
... It is the supreme instance of short-lived, unintelligent emotion ... had nothing to fear
from this 'King.' But there ... he knew that they had delivered Christ for envy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christ and pilate the true.htm
The King's Potters
... And have we, Christ's servants, not His gracious parting word ... If we so 'dwell with
the King,' He will dwell ... He should be with us is supreme condescension, that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the kings potters.htm
The King in his Beauty
... Make Him your King, let His arrow reach your heart ... Him as the enthroned God-man,
Jesus Christ, the Son of ... Crown Him with the many crowns of supreme trust, heart ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the king in his beauty.htm
Drill and Enthusiasm
... animating the whole, and that was to make David king, an enthusiastic ... be nothing
in our organisation which is inconsistent with Christ's supreme place among us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/drill and enthusiasm.htm
Whether Christ's Humanity Should be Adored with the Adoration of " ...
... is due to God in recognition of His supreme dominion, according ... is nothing else than
to adore a robed King. ... in this sense the adoration of Christ's humanity is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs humanity should be.htm
The Book of Christ
... the sacredness of his office, and of the king to rule in righteousness. These demands
were inevitably carried up to God: and in Christ the supreme effort is ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter v the book of.htm
Resources
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christ consciousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21)? | GotQuestions.orgChrist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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