King of Kings and Lord of Lords

September 2, 1945 on that day. The Japanese government surrendered to the Allied forces aboard the battleship Missouri Gen. Douglas MacArthur was the supreme commander of the Allied forces in the specific and on that occasion, he said this, let us pray that peace be not restored in the world and that God will preserve it always went on to say men since the beginning of time have sought peace.

We've had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system Armageddon will be at our door over 17 years later our world is still not at peace. I won't mention all of the wars over the last 70 years. But think of the conflict which is impacted our own country. Think of Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and think of the present danger. Yes, the real possibility of a nuclear holocaust as we think of North Korea and Iran nuclear threats which are taken very seriously. Even today by our world rulers as North Korea tries again to get a nuclear response.

There is no question that today our world 70 years after these words. MacArthur. Our world is not at peace and we ask, is there any hope for peace, the survival of any answers, and in particular does the message of Easter is this message that Jesus is alive doesn't have any relevance in this whole question of world peace.

Absolutely, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is not just a historical fact which took place 2000 years ago and we sat wonderful that Jesus is alive that resurrection.

The fact that Jesus is alive has implications for all of life yes and for all of eternity and over the last several months we been studying this last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation from that sermon jam you have some quotes from previous messages in this book is wonderful book of Revelation, which, sadly, is often neglected last week in our Bible it talks about future events. Because central to the future of this world.

Central to your future as an individual central to your eternal destiny. Is this reality that Jesus is alive. When you stand and read with me words from the book of Revelation. Revelation 1 verses 17 and 18. Here is John as he begins this wonderful book of the Revelation, reminding us that Jesus is alive. Read them with me for or not I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold, I'm alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades. Thank you. Please be seated.

Notice of what the Lord Jesus is saying it is true. He died we celebrated that on Good Friday, that Christ died for our sins. One of the central facts of the Christian gospel that 2000 years ago.

Jesus is the Lamb of God took away the sin of the world that he died for our sins, and I will Easter Sunday we celebrate that Jesus Christ is alive that he is risen and notice what he says in Revelation 1. I'm alive forever more is alive today. He will be alive for all of eternity.

Never again will Jesus die.

He is eternally alive and then he says and this is what I want is to grasp this morning is this. I have the keys of death and Hades understand that that Jesus Christ is alive and he has the keys of death and Hades your eternal destiny that is determines by your relationship with the risen Lord Jesus Christ's. He is alive. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, and in so doing, he won a brilliant victory over Satan over death over how over the devil himself.

But not only did he do that not only did he come out of the term that first Easter Sunday. The Bible tells us that he ascended to heaven.

We call that his ascension, he went from into the presence of God and as he did so. He sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty of God himself and God said to them sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool that there are enemies to the kingdom of God and here at the ascension is a reminder that one day our Lord Jesus Christ is going to deal with the enemies of the kingdom of God.

That is the Jesus is coming back when he returns he will execute his judgments. He will execute his victory so that all evil will be punished and every injustice will be put to write all 2000 years ago as he spoke in Athens. Greek said this because he has fixed a day God has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead, who is this man that God has appointed to carry out judgment. None other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave him assurance by raising him from the dead, that is Paul links the judgment of God and the judgment of the world with the resurrection of Jesus. So Jesus not only died for sins. Not only was he buried not only did he rise again, and ascend to heaven he's coming back.

This is always been the belief of Orthodox Christianity.

Sadly, over the years this great truth of the return of Jesus Christ on the judgment of God coming to this world has been ignored has been marginalized as we even denied.

But listen to the apostles Creed. It states I quote from part of it that our Lord suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried the third day he rose from the dead he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the father Almighty, from things he shall come to judge the quick old-fashioned way of saying the living and the dead is of the central truth of the Christian faith that Christ died for sins. He was buried, he rose again. He ascended to his father and he's coming back and when he comes back he'll come in judgment. Yes, Jesus who is alive is coming back. This is a message of triumph a message of Paul but message of celebration for those who know Christ. For those who are his followers. For those who are trusting him but some message of judgment for those who do not know him this morning were continuing the study of the book of Revelation is what I thought. This is Easter Sunday would hear about bunnies or Easter eggs or something like that. Now we believe the Bible are going to give you little inspiring little story today were going to deal with the Bible, Revelation chapter 19. So if you ever Bible, would you turn to it.

Revelation 19 and I'm going to read from verse 11 to the end. Here Shirley was one of the most majestic but also also in the true sense awesome passages of Scripture. Revelation 19 verse 11. Here is a future event, an event which will certainly take place. Revelation 1911 John says that I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, the one sitting on it is called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judge judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on the set of many diagrams and is a name written that no one knows what himself is clothed in a robe dipped in blood in the name by which he is called is the word of God and the armies of heaven arrayed in fine linen, white and pure were following him on white horses from his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty on his robe and on a sigh he has a name written, king of kings and Lord of lords without distant disbursements. When I saw an angel standing in the sun and with a loud voice a call to all the birds of that fly directly overhead.

Come gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and the writers and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great, and I saw the beast and the kings of the arts with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army and the beast was captured, that the antichrist, the beast was captured, and whether the false prophet who in his presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast 666 and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur and the rest were slain by the sword that came from the minds of him who was sitting on the horse. And all the birds were gorged with the flesh here is the word of God to us this morning. John is telling us is all of Scripture tells us that the Lord Jesus the living Christ is coming back and when he returns. John is making it very clear he calms as the victorious king of kings and Lord of lords.

That is one great and glorious day yet future of our Lord Jesus Christ will return to this are to set up his kingdom and reign as King of Kings and Lord of lords. This is the climax of the plan and the purposes of God.

We saw in Revelation 11 verse 15 the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Does it look like today that God is in charge of the world doesn't look like today that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of lords doesn't seem that does it often seems that evil. It seems that violence since that war seems that greed and injustice dominate our world. But one day the Lord Jesus is coming back is coming back to rain superbly, brilliantly, justly, as the King of Kings and Lord of lords, not of the return of Jesus. As in the sense two phases. The first phase is the rapture of the church would be learning this is it, what is the rapture of the church at any moment. Perhaps the day Bible teaches us that the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven at any moment the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven. Paul writing about that in first Thessalonians 4 that he comes with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God and be wonderful… Trumpet sounded today was to happen, authentic followers of Jesus Christ to have died will be raise first, then we who are living at the time of the rapture. We who believe in Jesus Christ. We are, we who are his true followers.

We will be caught top that is rapture to meet them in the air and of course to be forever with the Lord and the rapture may happen at any moment Jesus spoke of this event to his disciples, he said to them, in John 14. If I go I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, there you maybe also he was going to leave them but he told her not to worry not to be troubled. The Holy Spirit was going to come but also he himself would come so that they would be where he is going.

That's the rapture.

Paul said that the event will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an Jesus will come suddenly, like a thief in the night millions of followers of Jesus.

Think of this will suddenly vanish from the earth. I wonder what Fox News and CNN will make of that millions of us disappearing in an instant to friends will be talking one will suddenly disappear in one will be left.

A man will wake up in the middle of the night and stretch out his hand to touch his wife to discover that she's gone to woman will be working side-by-side in an office. One will be caught up to have another one will be left millions of people disappearing from the world in a split second, the Lord Jesus is coming back and this we saw last week is coming back for his bride, namely the church that is the true church. Those who know him personally as their Savior and Lord, I ask you, then you know him to trust in the Lord were to come.

No. Would you be one who is caught up to be forever with the second phase of Christ's return is referred to in our passage, not the coming of the Lord in the air for discharge but has visible return with his church to rain to set up his kingdom. He is returning as we read in Revelation 19. The note is the language the strong language is coming as a warrior king verse 11 of our passage Revelation 19 in righteousness he judges and makes war as your concept of God include that review manufactured a very weak God.

God, that you can control a God who's just like everybody, God looks very much like yourself very tolerant, very nice there to help guide to an emergency, but otherwise to be ignored or a false God. This is the true God, and when he comes he is returning. John tells us he calms to judge, he comes to make war. He is a warrior king and that grade event has been prophesied over and over again in the Old Testament, for example, Zechariah rights than the Lord will go out and fight against those nations is when he fights on the day of battle web. Imagine going to battle in the Lord, you know you're going to win is the King of Kings and Lord of lords. What a difference to his first coming. We celebrated Christmas, Jesus came the word became flesh and dwelt among us. When you lived on earth. Many people didn't know his true identity became to his on his own didn't receive them that his first coming when he rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday doesn't come riding on a white horse. He comes riding on a lowly donkey.

The cars are looking for a Messiah King someone to overthrow the Romans someone to set up a physical kingdom they are and then. But Jesus is despised and humiliated.

He spied upon his rejected these crucified away with them.

We don't want this man to rain over us. We saw him on Good Friday, counting his own cross to the place of crucifixion. People could ask, is this the Messiah is the son of caught is this the King of Kings and Lord of lords who ends up crucified on a cross with his nails to the Roman tree. It seems that his kingdom was at an end. Seeing that his kingdom had ended in failure. Good man, a man who did wonderful things, a man who had some great insight into teaching basic. His mission was a failure appeared to the outside but of course the third day he rose from the dead and now John is saying that when he returns to our he comes in. Power becomes an magistrate becomes in triumph.

He calms demonstrating to the whole world is sovereign today that he is the King of Kings that he is the Lord of lords, and John here in verse 11 sees heaven open, and behold a white horse, and Jesus is identified by four names. First verse 11 is called faithful and true is the very embodiment of truth whenever great problems and is become a problem. More and more that we don't know what's true or not we hear all about this fake news that used to be called lies now is called fake news is called spin. Now is the section slides and we put on the television that we listen to the news I want to hear the news.

I don't hear commentary by the news. I want to hear the news. Give me the facts, but it spanned its deception with us on the writing on whether it's on the left and were left thinking what is actually true and we really believe there is one. You can absolutely believe he is faithful and true. He's a very embodiment of truth is that on the way, the truth on the life. No one comes to the father apart from me. Jesus always always keeps his promises. It is impossible for God to lie, he is true to his word is absolute truth and he has said and his word has declared that he's coming back and when he comes back he comes to judge becomes to make war he comes to rain is faithful and true. Secondly, verse 12. He has a name written that no one knows what himself commentators ask what is that name. We don't know. Only he knows it is the infinite God, it's true. He's revealed much about himself but we cannot understand what Paul would say the unsearchable riches of Christ, or the immeasurable riches of his grace and name written that no one knows but themselves. Third verse 13. His name is the word of God love that the word of God.

He is the complete and perfect personal manifestation of God. In fact, to see Jesus as the sea God himself said he was seen me has seen the father. Paul said he is the image of the invisible God is the word of God is the manifestation of God is a declaration of God you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. He is the word of God and notice verse 15 from his mouth comes a sharp sword with picture is what is penetrating his word is cutting when he speaks. We must listen and we must obtain. This is a voice you must here disregard the political and social commentary.

But this is something you must listen to this is the word of God, the power of his lies in the beginning, he said, let there be lights in there was light, number during his life.

He stood supreme in the storm when the disciples things are going to be drowned in the stands and to the wind and to the sea, he rebukes on the size, peace be still and there's a great calm.

The whole universe is subject to his word.

That's power and he will speak and defeat his enemies. He is the word of God fourth verse 16 on his robe and on the side. He has a name written, or a name King of Kings and Lord of lords.

This is why he has these many diagrams is all authority in all magistrate Zechariah prophesied. Zechariah 14 verse nine that the Lord will be king over all the 40 was born. The angel said to Mary, his mother of his kingdom there will be no king has come in the King, a scumbag with power and majesty. Verse 11 in righteousness he judges and makes war.

He's a perfect judge verse 12 his eyes like a flame of fire describing the penetrating purity of his judgment. He sees everything he's the judge we know there's no perfect judgments today. Some of you have had bad experiences in court, but not to naïvely thought. They are the courts of justice, as are sometimes called buds legal system can be manipulated. Judges can be corrupt.

Witnesses can lie crucial evidence can be destroyed, but not so with this charge. He has eyes like a flame of fire.

I was recently in the car to one of our pastors who will go unnamed for obvious reasons, but he was taking me to lunch, having ended up paying however but he was taking me for lunch said as were in his car. I have this little bit.

Was this, could you believe that whenever pastor Cisco radar detector in his car. I don't have that if you don't speed.

You don't need a radar detector to but this particular pastor apparently feels the need to try and invade our law enforcement officers.

I was scandalized when I saw and presumably it works. I don't know.

I've never had one. I don't intend to have one. I look on police officers as my friends not my enemies so but you and I can hi we can cover up currently. Have you noticed what politicians do. Celebrities do and you do and I do. And Adam and Eve did write back in the garden. When you do something wrong. It's not just your little two or three-year-old who does this, we all do it instinctively. We want to cover up. We want to hide what we've done, we want to present a picture of ourselves which is not really accurate but here when the Lord comes.

He's got eyes like flames of fire. You will never hide from his judgments. Everything hidden will be brought to light.

He sees everything in verse 13. His robe is dipped in blood, the time of grace. The time of Massey are now over.

He's coming in judgment. He comes to execute judgment here is the outpouring of of the judgment of God on a sinful world.

He rules verse 15 with a sharp sword. He rules without regards of iron Sam to where the nations are in duration standing against the Lord's arm to prophesy this event and God holds them in derision. Do you really think all of the nations of the world and all of the nuclear weapons in all of the tanks and all of man's ingenuity could stand against the King of Kings and Lord of lords absolutely nuts.

He is accompanied verse 14 by the armies of heaven that will include his church. We are caught up and I were coming back or coming back with the King of Kings that in the grace of God we who know Christ as our Savior realize that these pay the judgment of our sins on the cross and never again will I have to face the judgment of God because it has been dealt with at Calvary. Praise God, and no the Lord is coming and he's coming with the armies of heaven. Paul writes in first Thessalonians 3 verse 13, the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. What an incredible event.

It will be the most dramatic, the most visible events in human history, the most prophesied event and now it has happens. Revelation 1 verse seven, John writes, behold, he's coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him referring to Israel and all tribes of the arts will wail on that kind of him. When did the unbelieving world class C are large on the cross. But now they see him.

The whole world.

They see him as the conquering King of Kings and there will be a brilliant display of the glory of God throughout the whole earth. Jesus spoke of himself. Matthew 24 verse 30.

He says then will appear in heaven, the sign of the Son of Man and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Yes, he is alive. As were singing and is coming back, and in contrast to his first coming.

There will be an open display of the glory and power of the Lord. He is absolute and visible authority and drain supremely as King of Kings and Lord of lords is the conqueror over the whole when the Lord Jesus came to this earth. He was judge by man put on the cross. Now he is the church wasn't up all second Thessalonians 1 verse seven he says when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven talking about the same event as Revelation 19 with his mighty angels in flaming fire inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus is alive. One of the implications, one I wanted to grasp today's list because he's alive, he's coming back and when he comes he comes in judgment.

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed. Second Thessalonians 1. Taught by the Lord prophesied with the Old Testament prophets taught by the apostles, declared in Revelation 19 becomes and he'll totally destroy evil we see that very quickly in verses 17 through 21 for the Lord Jesus is victorious at Armageddon. This great supper of God is prepared for the birds of the air to feast on the enemies of God do picture.

Our Savior comes to judge all evil. The long awaited day of God's vengeance and Roth is about to explode upon this world a spectacular display of glory of part of Mike's and of Majesty that dreadful day of Armageddon that day that MacArthur referred to over 70 years ago.

This day has come. Day of Armageddon, the day of the defeat of the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ's usage on the sons very tough. Well I don't know how it sends to you but it's the truth and driving the book of Revelation over and over again.

People in our certified opportunity after opportunity to repent and to place their trust in the Lord Jesus, but instead of repenting, they curse God they blasphemed, and no judgment comes in all who refuse to place their trust in Christ to all who refused about within the King of Kings and Lord of lords of God who is good to go to is just in the God who acts in judgments. We read that the antichrist also called the beast, false prophet and all of these armies who oppose our Lord Jesus not only decisively defeated of the battle of Armageddon there thrown into the lake of fire and the defeat is graphically depicted by the birds attending the feast in Christ reigns decisively justly righteously and authoritatively and sets up his kingdom is will think in chapter 20.

Next week I asked him what your response to this today's opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life today is an opportunity for you to bow the knee to King Jesus to stop trying to live your own little life. It's time to repent. This is why Jesus came when Mark begins his gospel. The first recorded words of Jesus from the lips of Jesus of these the kingdom. The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand.

King has arrived or didn't appear that on his first coming, but now in the second coming.

It will be obvious to the king is the Jesus as King Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of lords, and then he says in Mark one.

Repent and believe in the gospel is what your tutor. One day you're going have to deal with Jesus Christ. You either know about voluntarily receive them as your Savior or his rain and his rule will be imposed on you and you will experience eternal judgment to enter the kingdom of God. You must turn from your sin, you must place your faith in Jesus Christ, not only dying for your sins and being buried but being raised from the dead, and this is why we believe so strongly that each one of us must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not just subscribing to some doctrine is not just saying I believe in the apostles Creed I believe in the apostles Creed but salvation is knowing the person of Christ is having an encounter with Christ. It's personally receiving Christ so that this Christ, who is alive comes and now lives in us and the power of these endless life. The Danish philosopher Kierkegaard tells the story is a parable, he tells a parable of the theater where a variety show is proceeding and act after act is being applauded by the audience in each part of the act seems to be more spectacular than the last, and suddenly the manager appears and he apologizes for the interruption of the theater in the theater besides the theater is on fire and he bags everyone to leave in an orderly fashion.

The audience think this is part of the act and they start cheering and laughing and he says no.

This is serious and the more he plays with them. The more they laugh until the whole says Kierkegaard.

In the parable until the whole part until the whole theater is on fire and taking with it the fun-loving audience and so says Kierkegaard solar age. I sometimes think go down in fiery destruction to the applause of accredited house of cheering spectators. You say how will it end. I will and will North Korea get the upper hand will direct around ends when what was going to happen to the world listening didn't fear that I don't feel that when little bit. My trust is in crisis over in Christ he's in control of the king is coming and if you are his followers. This Easter Sunday. Will you a fresh blow to his room why you dissipate into him leaving you.

Be faithful to him what you really live and seek first the kingdom of God and place your trust in him and the looking up when you take this we have this little response card you take. It is not, as is my response.

I wonder what is your response you're a follower of Jesus Christ.

We are better afresh. We consecrate your life to confess from certain lethargy you been playing around being a Christian. This series is wonderful.

Christ lives in us the power of the risen Christ.

We rededicate your life to try some of your have not yet trusted Christ, we would I do repent. It's a change of mind. Instead of putting yourself on the throne of your life put Christ turn from your sin and look to Christ Gordon great love sends his son to die for you, my wonderful to wash away all of your sin. If you believe in him.

If you open your heart and trust in him, and he forgives you and you grant you eternal life, which is turned to Christ and do that and do that right now this company take a minute to allow you to pray that just where you are and to complete that car today. I made a renewed my commitment to follow Jesus Christ. What I'd like to learn more about information that you complete that you can bring it down to the front or you can hand it to one of our pastors in the café handed one of the ushers are leaving on your seat, but this message that Jesus is alive is a message which must have a response. If you don't make a response that means when a judgment comes will be no escape.

The only escape from the judgment of God is at the cross for the judgment of God fell on Jesus, who is my substitute and I am free and inclines them a follower of Christ because of what Christ has done master to stand and be limited but let me pray first father I pray for each person with auto everything is known to you. There are no secrets that we have from you. Your eyes are a flame of fire, so we thank you for the penetration of your word and ask through your spirit will be opening this so that people see their sin and see the beauty of Jesus Christ. Those of us who are followers of Christ will truly seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We ask it in his name. Amen