Seventy years ago, as a 9 year old, I, too, viewed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on a very small screen television in our family quarters on McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma.
The pomp and circumstance was amazing and like many, I was mesmerized by the beginning of an era that none would consider might possibly last seven decades.
This truly is the end of an era and now Her Majesty will be followed by her 73-year-old son, King Charles III, as monarch of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Personally, I consider Elizabeth’s reign one filled with grace and compassion for all people and especially those who claim Great Britain as their homeland.
Seventy years — that’s quite a reign, but I’d prefer to talk about a future reign that was prophetically put in motion before the beginning of time. I’m talking about the Eternal Reign of Christ.
The Book of Hebrews best presents Christ Jesus as our Lord eternally. Let me share these words found in Hebrews 5:5-6, which proclaim our Savior and Lord in His rightful position: “So Christ did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’ And he says in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’”
Let me take you back to the Book of Genesis for a proper introduction to this priest of God Most High.
In Genesis 14, we are introduced to Melchizedek, the king of Salem. Abram, who later became known as Abraham, encounters this ancient one, who was without record of birth or death, after Abram and his 318 trained men recovered his nephew, Lot, and all that was taken from the king of Sodom.
Scripture tells us that Abram gave a tenth of the spoils to the king of Salem and then gave the rest to the king of Sodom and took nothing for himself.
What I find most intriguing are the words found in Genesis 14:18-20: “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
It appears to me that Abraham encountered a pre-incarnate Christ and this was obviously a turning point in his faith journey. We must remember that Abraham is the father of two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. Isaac represents the lineage of the spiritual man, while Ishmael represents the natural man.
I find it quite interesting that 12 tribes came out of Ishmael just as 12 tribes would also come out of Isaac’s son, Jacob. And, we are presented the genealogy all the way from Abraham to Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:1-16. Certainly, this was God’s plan for a distinct purpose.
Let’s get back on course and transition from the end of an era and talk briefly about The Age of Grace and then conclude with The Age to Come.
Once Christ completed His work here on earth through His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, we became recipients of the precious opportunity to accept His gift of eternal salvation.
In essence, the world was turned upside down nearly 2,000 years ago. But there will come a day, quite possibly in our lifetime, when Jesus will return and rule over the heavens and earth eternally. That will be a glorious day for all who have placed their trust in God Almighty, His Son and the Holy Spirit who resides in the lives of all believers.
Have you ever read the Book of Revelation — all 22 chapters? I don’t believe it will bring you to your knees, but it will certainly present Christ in all His glory and give you a glimpse of what will transpire in God’s perfect time.
Perhaps you should first read the Book of John to learn more about the God Man Jesus, who was sent for one purpose: to save us from our sins. May you come to know Him intimately!
Passages to Ponder
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at [email protected] for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
