I have been a big believer in using graphics and handouts since almost the very beginning of my ministry as supplements to more effective learning for my hearers. Long ago (before the days of PowerPoint, laptops and digital projectors) overhead projectors, handmade paper or cloth charts, chalk and blackboard were the standards for illustrating sermons or lessons. When I first began preaching a copy machine was not even a financially practical thing, so a mimeograph had to do. (For those too young to be familiar with any of these “technologies,” a “Google” search can fill in the details.)
Going back through some of my oldest extant lessons and materials, I found a number of handmade charts and accompanying lessons and articles which I will share here from time to time. The wonderful thing is that the technology might now be old (perhaps extinct!) but the Biblical truths are still just as relevant.
King of Kings
“And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.'” Revelation 19:16.
Many in the religious world today are waiting for Jesus to come as King of all; and folk who are not particularly religious are unconcerned as to His kingship at all. In contrast with these two views is the Bible, the Word of God, which declares that He is King of Kings NOW! How can that be? Let us see.
His coming reign was prophesied of hundreds of years beforehand. “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” Jeremiah 23:5. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…” Isaiah 9:7. “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:14. That these amazing predictions were fulfilled in Christ, we shall soon see.
Notice further that this was the purpose for which He was born. Speaking to Mary, the angel said, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31-33. After His birth, the record shows that wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” Matthew 2:2. He was born to be King.
He claimed to be King! When on trial for His life, “Pilate therefore said unto him, ‘Art thou a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.'” John 18:37.
The Jews wanted to crucify Him for “saying that he himself is Christ a King,” Luke 23:2. The crude soldiers crowned Him with thorns and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Matthew 27:29. When He was crucified, we read, “And the superscription of his accusation was written over, ‘THE KING OF THE JEWS.'” Mark 15:26. He claimed He was, the Jews knew He had, the soldiers mocked Him for it, and this was the accusation of Pilate as He crucified Him on Calvary.
The prophecies had predicted an everlasting rule. Since He was crucified (dead), He then must rise to life if the prophesies were to be fulfilled. So Jesus Himself asked, “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” Luke 24:26. Therefore, we read of Peter saying, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36. That was on the day of Pentecost over 1,900 years ago.
Does He still reign today? Paul says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11. “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:25,26.
Knowing that the Son of God would be King, the Psalmist prophetically sounded out a warning that still speaks to us today. “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psalms 2:12. Have you yet accepted His kingship over you? Are you obedient to His will? If not, then seek His will in His Word,and obey Him NOW!
The diagram or chart for “King of Kings” was hand lettered by me around 1975 to accompany the lesson text. The article was printed in a teaching newspaper I published at that time entitled The Bible Illustrator.