“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex. 20:2 NASB). This is the preface to the ten commandments. And as the Westminster Shorter Catechism indicates, “The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us, that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.”

This is in keeping with the ancient Jewish confession. When the people saw fire fall from heaven and consume the sacrifice Elijah placed on the altar, “They fell on their faces; and they said, ‘The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God’” (1 Kings 18:39). That the Lord alone is God leads to the same repeated confession of the Psalms. “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty” (Ps. 93:1). “The Lord reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established” (96:10). “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice” (97:1). “The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble” (99:1). Revelation 19:6 adds to this chorus. “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” This same chapter presents a great vision of Christ.

“He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:13-16).

Yes, Jesus Christ is both Lord and King. He is King of kings. He is Lord of lords. Jesus Christ is the Lord who is indeed God. The Apostle Paul explicitly teaches this truth in the New Testament. He declares, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Here we see the basic Christian confession. Jesus Christ is Lord.

Paul connects this confession with the commission God gives the Church. The Church must preach the kingship of Christ. So Paul asks, “How will they preach unless they are sent?” He then quotes Isaiah. “Just as it is written, ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’” (Rom. 10:15). Isaiah 52:7 gives us the basic message the Church must proclaim. “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Looking ahead, Isaiah sees that the people taken into captivity need to hear this message. The Babylonians do not rule the world. Rather, the message to them is clear, “Your God reigns.”

The Church must preach the kingship of Christ. Justice and authority originate in Him. Presidents, prime ministers, congressmen, governors, and mayors too often think “justice and authority originate with themselves” (Hab. 1:7). Ultimately, these government officials are servants of God (Rom. 13:3-4). They must submit to the sovereign rule and reign of Christ. The Church must preach the kingship of Christ. This is prophetic work. Pray for a renewal of this prophetic work. Pray that the RPCNA will regain her prophetic voice.

—Dennis J. Prutow