The Baby in the Manger #19: King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1)

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
(heb: meleḵ meleḵ 'ăḏōnāy 'āḏôn, grk: basileus basileus kai kyrios kyrios)

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.’ (Revelation 17:14)

Today's name is King of Kings.  When attributed specifically to Jesus, this and tomorrow's Lord of Lords always come as a set (Revelation 17-19, and Timothy 6).  Of course, the words are slightly different, but it seems that they are used together to emphasise the same point.  So, rather than taking each individually, I'm going to spend two days on both.

We introduced the word Lord (e.g. heb: 'āḏôn or grk: kýrios) on day one, and explored how this word embodies authority and respect.  God is referred to as the Lord of Lords twice in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 10:17 and Psalm 136:3).  King (heb: malak, grk: basileus) is also fairly self-explanatory.  There are, of course, many Kings in the Bible.  Very powerful kings are sometimes given the title of King of Kings (e.g. Artaxerxes in Ezra 7:12, or Tyrus Nebuchanezzer in Ezekiel 26:7).  This is not necessarily an indication of their moral purity, but of their might and power, and their victory in battle.   As Daniel says to Nebuchadnezzar: Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory (Daniel 2:37).

Daniel makes the important point here which leads us to this ultimate title: there are many kings and many lords, but each only have their power and authority granted by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is such power, might and authority, that he is the one who gives authority to even the most powerful King we have seen or imagined.

But like the Kings of old, the King of Kings does battle, and this is where we find the complete title inscribed on Jesus himself: in the battle against 'Babylon', depicted in Revelation 17-19.

Commentators vary on how they interpret the identity of 'Babylon' - depicted as a prostitute sitting on a scarlet beast in Revelation 17: some point to the Roman Empire, the great persecutor of the church at the time.  Others point to the compromised church wherever it is.  Whilst there is certainly a reference to Rome for the contemporary readers, I am with those who believe that "Babylon" cannot be confined to this, but additionally represents all the world away from God, and the power of sin itself.

Babylon is certainly depicted as powerful.  She is all-encompassing, sitting over peoples, multitudes, nations and languages (Revelation 17:15), and a great city that rules over kings of the earth (17:18).  She wields the spoils of that power too, represented by wealth: The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand... (17:4).

But the power depicted is destructive: people are allured by her power and apparent beauty: intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries (17:2).  She appears to take not just material things, but very souls and beings and lives, either through corrupting hearts or martyring the faithful (she is described as drunk with the blood of God's holy people, 17:6).  Even those who have served her will end up hating her (the beast and the ten horns in 17:15).

And yet the Angel announces: Fallen!  Fallen is Babylon the Great! (18:2).  The tide turns, and once we get to chapter 19, Babylon is fallen.  Not only this, but the beast on which she sits - Satan himself - is defeated.  Here is Jesus:

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.  His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.  The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.  Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron sceptre.’  He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS

(Revelation 19:11-16)

This is the one who has fought the battle, is fighting the battle, and will win the battle.

Your Babylon riding on the Beast may be internal or external: from political and social systems to the desires and temptations of your heart.  It seems like there is no end to evil and darkness and corruption, and that's just what we see on the news.  And yet there is a promised bringer of justice and righteousness.  Not only is he just and true, but he is powerful and victorious.  Peoples of ancient times didn't just trust in a good King - the King also had to actually have enough power to keep their enemies at bay and protect them.  And we have the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

So whatever your battle - he's powerful enough to win it for you!