A BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF "CHRIST IS KING"

Candace Owens ignited a firestorm of controversy when she apparently tweeted to Ben Shapiro, who is Jewish, “Christ is King.” Response from within Shapiro’s circle was swift and critical, with some labeling Owens’ tweet as antisemitic and even racist. Other critics weighed in warning that the term is associated with Christian nationalism, the claim that evangelical Christians want to take over the institutions of government and force Christianity on everyone else. 

The Meaning of the Phrase

The phrase is actually redundant for the word “Christ” means “king.” It is derived from the Greek word christos, which was the Greek counterpart for the Hebrew “Messiah.” The Messiah was the king, predicted by the Old Testament prophets, whose righteous reign would bring peace to Israel and the entire world.

Jesus acknowledged that He was the promised Messiah but made clear that His kingdom was of a different order and character than was expected by Jews of the first century. They were looking for a political, militaristic Messiah who would deliver them from the Romans.

Jesus' kingship was of a different order and He made this point in a startling manner to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, at the time of His trial just before His crucifixion.

A Kingdom Not of this World

Pilate had obviously heard of the discussions about whether Jesus was Israel’s Messiah-King promised by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, and other Old Testament prophets. When Jesus was brought before him, Pilate therefore asked, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus acknowledged that He was a king, but then clarified the nature of His kingdom, saying,

My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here (John 18:36).

Jesus is not saying that His kingdom has no presence or role in this world. He is saying that His kingdom is of a completely different nature, functioning by different values and principles. His kingdom functions according to the values and culture of another world--of heaven.

His kingdom, therefore, would not come through the radical Jewish zealots who wanted to overthrow the Romans by force, nor by the Sadducees who compromised with the Romans in exchange for power and status in Israel. Neither would His kingdom come through the religious Pharisees, the conniving Herodians, or any other religious or political party.

His Kingdom Went to the Heart

Jesus knew the dire need of humanity was neither political nor economic, but separation from God through sin and rebellion. Israel’s greatest need was not deliverance from Rome, but deliverance from the sin that was destroying them. Instead of responding to carnal, political desires, Jesus went directly to the heart of the problem.

Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of a suffering and dying Messiah by providing Himself an atoning sacrifice for sinful humanity. In doing so, He bridged the gap between a holy God and fallen, sinful humanity. His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection made forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible through faith in Him. 

He also called on people to leave their self-centered lifestyles and live their lives for Him and others. Instead of imposing a political order, He imparted heavenly values. He assured His hearers that He had come, that they might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). 

Christ is King of Hearts

The early church proclaimed, “Jesus is Lord” and “Jesus is the Christ.” These designations obviously speak of His dignity and preeminence, but they were not political statements. Early Christians had no political ambitions. They showed no interest in Herod’s throne or Caesar’s crown. They proclaimed a king and kingdom that transcended them all.

But when Caesar was in conflict with Christ, the followers of Jesus confessed their allegiance to Him. This led to multiplied thousands of martyrs who chose to die rather than deny Him. Among these was the elderly Polycarp (69-155), who was offered his freedom if he would deny Christ. He refused, saying, "For 86 years I have been His servant, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my king who saved me?" 

Christ had obviously captured Polycarp's heart, and this is where His kingdom begins. He is the king of hearts. His kingdom is destined to transform all the earth, but not by outward political activism or military force. He begins by capturing the heart and then imparting His kingdom values, which then impacts all of society.

The Great Awakening Brought the Kingdom of God to America

This happened in the Great Awakening (1726-70) in colonial America. The colonies were transformed through the Christ-centered preaching of George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Gilbert Tennant, and others. They had no political ambitions. They called people to put their faith in Christ for eternal salvation and to live by His kingdom values.

The results were astonishing. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “It seemed as if all the world were growing religious” and a British-appointed governor wrote to his superiors in England, “If you ask an American who is his master, he will tell you he has none, nor any governor but Jesus Christ” (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 81).

This Awakening breached denominational, cultural, and racial barriers. For the first time they began to see themselves as a single people with one Divine destiny. This was especially significant for Whitefield for he had arrived in America with the prayer that the people of colonial America would "no longer live as 13 divided colonies but as one nation under God.”

This Awakening had a direct bearing on both the founding of America in 1776 and the ending of slavery on this continent. America became a Christian nation, not by an act of Congress, but by the transformed lives of her citizenry. John Marshall, the second Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, understood this. Serving as Chief Justice for 34 years from 1801-1834, Marshall wrote,

The American population is entirely Christian, and with us Christianity and religion are identified. It would be strange, indeed, if with such a people, our institutions did not presuppose Christianity, and did not refer to it, and exhibit relations with it (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 169).

Trump's Conviction Highlights the Need

America has completely turned away from the founding Christian values that brought her into existence. Her future is hanging in the balance. 2024 is a pivotal year for America. Psalm 9:17 says, The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.

The November election is very important but will not save America. America’s root problem is neither political nor economic. America’s problem is spiritual and moral and will require a spiritual and moral solution. This reality was just highlighted by the conviction of Donald Trump by an obviously rigged trial.

Trump's conviction by a Manhattan jury was the bad fruit of  secularist, amoral individuals who manipulate and misuse the law for their own purposes. There is no need for the so-called "fundamental change" of the American system, but there is a need for a change in the moral and spiritual condition of those who are in positions of power.

Whose Side Are We On?

“Christ is king” is a theologically correct statement but should never be used as a weapon to shame or offend another person. Nor should it be used as a political battle cry as though Jesus the Messiah was taking sides with some worldly political party or movement.

“Christ is king” should be used as an expression showing honor to Jesus Christ for His redemptive work for all mankind and in recognition of His transcendent preeminence at the right hand of God. It should be used as a call for all people to put their faith in Him as the only way to eternal life and to embrace the values He taught, which are the keys to peace and stability here on earth.

President Abraham Lincoln understood the importance of acknowledging the preeminence of Christ. During the Civil War when a minister from the North expressed his hope that, “the Lord is on our side,” Lincoln replied,

I am not at all concerned about that . . . but it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side” (Hyatt. The Great Prayer Awakening of 1857-58, 39).

America must once again turn to Christ and take His side. This will happen as the church takes a stand for truth and righteousness, proclaims His transcendent kingship, and prays for another Great Awakening to roll across the land.

This article is derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's book, 1726: The Year that Defined America, available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com. For information on bringing his informative, inspiring “Save America” presentation to your , city, contact him at dreddiehyatt@gmail.com