A Title of Christ in Revelation: The King of the Saints
A Title of Christ in Revelation: The King of the Saints.
“The revelation of Jesus Christ…” (Rev. 1:1). John the Divine left no doubt about the purpose of his Book of Revelation. His very first words in his prologue were that his vision was an unveiling of Jesus. His baffling and otherworldly writings in this book were not primarily about future events, or the destiny of human life on planet earth, or all those mysterious activities in the heavenly sphere. John was writing first and foremost about the Person of Christ, and he intended everything in the book to point back to Him. Revelation was a lifting of the veil on the full identity and activity of Christ. It is a revelation of Jesus, from God, concerning Christ Himself. The Godhead is both the primary source of John’s vision and its main subject. Everything in this extended vision that came to John straight from heaven is to be understood through the prism of Christ. Regardless of how dramatic, puzzling or profound its contents, everything in John’s vision is intended to help us discover more of Christ and deepen our knowledge of and love for Him. All these events in Revelation that seem to pique the reader’s curiosity are nonetheless streams that are meant to lead us back to the River of Life. Perhaps it would do us all well if we continue to remind ourselves of Paul’s declaration as we read John’s vision… “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
“I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who have been victorious over the beast and his image and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
‘Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, O King of the Saints. Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous deeds have been revealed!’” (Revelation 15:2-4).
The Songs. This eternal song of thanksgiving is in the spirit of the Song of Moses in Exodus 15. Moses’ song had tambourines and exuberant worship and dancing. One would not doubt that there could have been dancing in heaven during this Song of the Lamb as well. The fact that the song was sung in front of the glass sea full of fiery flames brings to mind that historical Song of Moses, where they were standing before the Red Sea in victory. The Song of Moses was sung in a triumphant celebration of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and Pharaoh. This Song of the Lamb is sung in a victory celebration of believers who were delivered from the power of Satan, the pharaoh of our souls.
God Himself seems to be handing out the heavenly instruments of praise as the believers enter the throne room. Each victorious saint in the Faith has a harp hand-delivered by God. The Lord wants a worship orchestra, and He will provide what it takes to have the full musical expression. God in heaven will provide the musical means to artistically and skillfully express triumphant praise and adoration.
This heavenly hymn sung by victorious saints was probably an ancient church hymn sung during its worship liturgy. Which came first… Was this song first sung in heaven in John’s hearing and then brought into a church setting on earth? Or was it composed on earth in church, and then sung in heaven? Doesn’t matter. These triumphant and joyous words of praise point faithfully to the true worthiness of God and the Lamb, and highlight His eternal attributes in glory. This Song of the Lamb is in honor of the King of the saints.
The King. As we continue to nurture our budding friendship with Jesus, we would do well to remember that He is our King. Yes, He indeed has total dominion over the entire universe, and He reigns as eternal Sovereign. But we need to live into the fact that He has executive power over each of us. He holds rightful authority over each believer. Christ is our ultimate authority. Christ rules over us, literally. As we put our arms around Jesus as our bosom buddy, we would do well to bow the knee in His presence as well. It would be good to refer to Him as His Royal Highness. We are called to approach His throne in our hearts with respect and reverence, not flippantly or presumptuously. After all, He is our King, and we are His loyal subjects.
A Saint: a willing member of the holy priesthood of all believers; every believer who is determined to be in the Lord’s sanctification process; a follower of Jesus who is intentionally living into holiness; a disciple of Christ who accepts being assigned by God for a sacred purpose; a person set apart for service to God; a humble believer who reminds others of God’s presence in the world; an imperfect person who is designated to represent a perfect God; any believer in the Lord who was set apart by baptism and is thus included in the Christian community; those martyrs who “do not cling to their own lives, even when faced with death” (Revelation 12:11).
A Parallel Account. “But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever… I was watching, and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom… Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” (Daniel 7:18, 21-22, 27).