Dr. Lawrence Butler

The Bridge Church, Pembroke

Kings are rare these days.  There was a time when they were quite plentiful.  We know countries had kings, but before that there were what we call city-states with each having a king (or an equivalent ruler).  In fact, there are 9 kings listed in two verses in Genesis 14 (verses 1-2).  Our idea of a king in those days is a picture of someone with great power and wealth.  Today’s monarchs are much more limited in power, but still very wealthy.  There is much public fascination with the royals, their weddings, their funerals and lifestyles.

Probably hard to believe, but I was a king once.  Never wealthy, never received much recognition, but a king nonetheless.  This happened early in my life.  I was the son of a pastor and thus many of my childhood experiences revolved around church.  Outside one of the side doors of the church at the end of a long hallway was a set of steps.  My good friend Mike and I often had a chance to play “King on the Mountain” on these steps.  The object of the game was to keep anyone else from getting to the top of the steps and pushing you off.  Mike and I teamed together and won most of the time.  We were good, and we were “Kings on the Mountain.”  Told you I was a king!

We are not kings today, but one day we will be.  Paul identifies himself and his co-workers as “filth” and the “offscouring of all things” (I Cor. 4:13).  Sometimes life really hurts, but we have a Savior who loves us and has planned a wonderful future for us.  You see, there is another time coming that begins with the victorious millennial kingdom of Christ.  Our reward is to “reign with him (Christ) a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6).  Following this period we will find ourselves in a city called New Jerusalem where there is no sin, no sorrow, no sickness, no death.  Please don’t miss this glorious blessing by failing to be a Christian.  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).