Editorial: King of kings and Lord of lords

3 May 2023

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On Saturday 6 May the Coronation of King Charles III will take place at Westminster Abbey in London, UK.

Interestingly though, the coronation ceremony does not make Charles into a king. Rather, Charles became king immediately upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on 8 September 2022.

The coronation ceremony is therefore the formal acknowledgement of what is already true – that Charles is King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms.

King Charles III – then Charles, Prince of Wales – at the state opening of Parliament in May 2022

In a similar way, the Lord Jesus Christ will one day be acclaimed as King over all – when “every tongue” will proclaim “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11).

Yet this act of acclamation will not make the Lord Jesus into a king. He is already “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16).

This truth is a comfort and encouragement to all of the Lord’s people, but perhaps especially those who are enduring ongoing persecution and suffering for their faith.

We read in Revelation that there will be war against Christ – but that he will triumph because “he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 17:14).

Those who are suffering now for their faith in King Jesus will one day be triumphant with Him.