When Christ returns, every human ruler will be dethroned and every idol will be dismantled. We who have already accepted Christ’s dominion look forward to that time.
But do we really see our King clearly?
The first commandment prohibits idolatry and reinforces God’s primary rule over all things. But throughout the history of God’s people putting God first has been a continuous struggle. In 1446 B.C. the Israelites, having come out of Egypt witnessing God’s miracles, lost sight of Moses and built a golden calf to worship. They wanted a visible object on which to direct their faith.
Next, in 1169 B.C., God used Gideon to defeat the Midianites. Israel clamored for Gideon to be their ruler, but he refused. Instead, he created a commemorative ephod (priestly vestment) of gold after the victory and immediately thereafter the Israelites worshiped the ephod.
Finally, in 1043 B.C., as Samuel the judge grew elderly and his sons proved to be unfit to lead, the Israelites demanded a king. Samuel warned them what a king requires of them, but the people wanted a physical ruler to trust. The human mind under the influence of Satan the Devil is enmity against God, it refuses to trust and have faith in our Creator (Romans 8:7).
Is it possible for spiritual Israel, like the physical nation of old, to shift from faith in the invisible Christ to visible substitutes? To appropriate righteousness from a man, or from an organization?
Some like to take ministers as champions, as in “I am of Apollos” or “I am of Cephas” (1 Corinthians 1:12). But this deep-seated desire for a physical banner to follow separates us from God, and each other. Faith placed in men, or organizations, like as in gold or physical strength, will be broken.
Paul, an apostle or “messenger”, was very careful in his epistles to make sure that he did not position himself as the Church’s champion. When called by the Father to submit to the conversion process, we already have a champion—Jesus Christ. As far as our faith terminates at any physical substitute for Christ, we have fallen short of His purpose for us because Christ is the only mediator between God and men.
When Christ returns, He will be introduced anew as the King of Kings to all humanity. This will be a very awakening experience. However, Christ is already a King, the living head of His Church. It’s very important that we recognize Him and hear His voice. The first chapter of Revelation describes Christ in the power and grandeur of His glorified state: a mighty Being, shining with the strength of the sun, pulsating with power, and a sharp sword coming from out of His mouth. That is the glorious Being we kneel before, though He is invisible.
Our faith is the evidence of things not seen. But Christ is very real and His rulership over us is tangible. He alone must possess our complete and unadulterated trust.
Staff