Should Christians assert that we have “No King but Jesus” and “Christ is King”?
Jesus Christ’s authority as God is essential to Christianity. We worship God alone, and Jesus is God. When the Bible calls Jesus the Son of God and affirms his begotten deity validated at the resurrection, the Son proceeds from the Father and is of the same essence. When the Word of God (the second person of the Trinity, incarnate in Jesus Christ) of holy scripture describes Himself as the Son of Man - these are images of his position in heaven as our Lord and advocate before the Father. He is seated at God’s right hand as his surrogate in the world.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14).”
Yes, Christians claim that Jesus Christ is Savior, Lord, King, and God for the whole world. This was a major point of contention in the Roman Empire and the prima facie reason Jesus was executed. Further, it was the primary reason his disciples and church leaders were threatened, tortured, murdered, and martyred. And some ill-intentioned people will use this statement of truth as a slanderous accusation of anti-semitism or a racist creed. That tells you everything you need to know about how the enemies of God hate Jesus. But their hatred must not provoke us to respond in kind.
Some confused Christians insist on a subservient position for Jesus in the economy of the Godhead. Jesus is not only seated near God the Father, “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19).” We also read, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Romans 8:34).” Jesus has enthroned himself, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne (Matthew 25:31).” This is an acknowledgment of Jesus as God and His ever-present reign has been instituted for all time.
We simply have not experienced the practical completion of his regency… yet. But we will, someday soon we hope.
A throne is a symbol of power and judgment, “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne (Revelation 3:21).” We are “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).” Jesus is exalted to his rightful position. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).” The relationship between God the Father and Son precludes any human vying for this esteemed position. It is already taken.
He is my King. I worship and praise him alone.
Candace Owens' recent controversy stemmed from her separation and apparent termination from the Daily Wire. After arguments by proxy through surrogates she left the platform controlled by Ben Shapiro who is Jewish and ardently supports Israel. And on her way out she dropped a Tweet with the phrase “Christ is King” sparking controversy. It was important to let this play out, and recent votes in Congress indicate that Candace was right regarding her objection to US funding support for international wars by proxy instead of righting our own house.
https://twitter.com/RealCandaceO/status/1771833319841309120
Candace’s stance on Israel led to her arguments with Ben and others, then spiraled out of control. Ben is correct when he says that Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorists who use women and children as human shields in Gaza. He did not want to share his platform with Candance (he maintains control no matter the corporate structure and Jeremy Boring’s role). But that doesn’t mean the US should fund their military with a blank check. Candace is not anti-semitic for saying this.
Anyone who questions Candance’s salvation based on slander against her is wrong. The ultimate red pill is the blood of Christ, and she seems to be transformed into a righteous and humble servant of God. She proclaims Jesus is Lord, King, and Savior and she proclaims the heart of the gospel. “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God (1 John 4:2 ).” We must not slander brothers and sisters in the Lord. Candace did not use the name of Jesus in vain and is still working out her salvation. There must be a way to support our allies without bankrupting this nation further.
Throughout history, Christians have been challenged with the prospect of obeying men who enforce unjust laws. Many have refused to comply. Disciples chose the latter, “The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings (Acts 5:27-29)!” Many faithful men have died because they would not bend the knee to an unjust authority (see: Daniel 3).
Moving across Europe the gospel was spread with the freedom of America acting as a cover for speech and thought. During the American Revolution patriots rejected the divine right of kings and Thomas Paine argued that like Israel our “proper Sovereign, the King of Heaven” reigns.1 Echoing Henry Haggar a “Leveller” someone who believed in democratic egalitarianism during the English Civil War many Americans were anti-monarchial.2 Haggar wrote the pamphlet No King But Jesus (1652) and it likely made the rounds in the colonies.3 While there are no records of this phrase being shouted on the battlefield at Lexington or elsewhere these sentiments offer a challenge to Americans who are forced to bow the knee and submit to unjust laws today.4 Certainly, rejecting the earthly claim of a human sovereign will either result in anarchy and mayhem or adherence to the higher law of God. If you do away with all authority then you become a slave to your passions.
When Christians rightly admit that Jesus Christ is King we bow before his power. To accept and submit to a just authority one must believe in his credible and valid position. Truly, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as well as his coming return all point to his divine nature and holiness. We must all say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased (Revelation 4:11).”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense (Girard, Kansas: Haldeman-Julius Co., 1923), 7.
The English Levellers. (1998). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Haggar, H. (1652). No King But Jesus, or The Walls of Tyrannie Razed. London: Giles Calvert. In Onuf, Peter S. and Thompson, Peter. (2013). In State and Citizen: British America and the Early United States. United Kingdom: University of Virginia Press.
Clarke, J. (1776). The Fate of Blood-thirsty Oppressors, and Gode’s tender Care of his distressed People. A Sermon, Preached at Lexington, April, 19, 1776.