Jesus Christ is the King of Kings

He had a dream of an image that represented his kingdom, the kingdoms of the ruling empires to follow his, and of the kingdom of God. [1] He made an idol ninety feet tall of the image and demanded that people worship it. [2] Three men refused to bow to it. He threw them into a fiery furnace, but they did not die. In fact, he saw someone with the form of the Son of God in the fire with them. They came out of the fire unharmed thanks to God. [3] He blessed the God of the three men and made a new decree that anyone who did not worship their God would be cut in pieces, and their houses destroyed. [4]

God, in His great mercy, brought Nebuchadnezzar the king of kings to his knees before Him. Nebuchadnezzar sent messages to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.” “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.” [5]

The psalmist David knew the Lord well. He wrote, “Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world… Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever—that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit.” [6]

In other words, “I am a king, but only God’s Redeemer (the Messiah) can redeem you from your sins and save you from the pit of hell.” He warned, “Man, though in honor, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me.” [7] David’s hope for eternal salvation was in God.

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” [8]

To place a higher trust in anyone or anything, above trust in the resurrected Son of God is a fatal mistake. Only those who heed His warnings and follow His leadings will partake of the tree of life in His eternal city. Only the Savior saves from sin!

The governing authorities of China are attempting to rewrite the Bible, and to recast the communist party instead of Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus Christ knew this would happen. He warned, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” [9]

Eventually, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Heavenly Father. Thus, the last verse of the Bible speaks of our need of His grace: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” [10]

[1] Daniel 2:36-45
[2] Daniel 3:1-7
[3] Daniel 3:8-27
[4] Daniel 3:28-29
[5] Daniel 4:1-3, 37
[6] Psalm 49:1, 6-9

[7] Psalm 49:12, 15

[8] Revelation 22:14-15

[9] Revelation 22:18-19

[10] Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 22:21