Dear BPCWA worshipper, Many of us may have viewed or seen photographs of the coronation of Charles III as the king of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms last weekend. This was touted as a historic event because, for many viewers, this would have been the first coronation that we have witnessed. Even though attempts to reduce some of the traditional customs were made, it was still a grand affair. At the centre of the event was of course the crown that he would wear, adorned with precious materials and jewels. The kingly garments were put upon him, and the regalia was prominently displayed. Even where he would sit during the crowning was carefully chosen. A banner with the words “Happy and Glorious” was prominently draped across Admiralty Arch, echoing the mood of the event. It is possible that for many of us, this may have indeed been an event with the most pomp and pageantry we will see in our lives. But even across the whole of mankind’s history, nothing will ever match up to the awe-inspiring grandeur event that all the earth will witness in the future. This future event that all will witness – not through television or computer screens – but with our eyes, is the glory of Jesus Christ, the unsurpassable supreme King of kings, “for the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth” (Ps 47:2)!

A Glorious King. Everything about the recent coronation was intended to demonstrate visually the king’s earthly glory. To convey the sense of the import of the event and the elevated position of the king through these ceremonies, there was careful orchestration of how the king would arrive and depart from the Abbey, the music and choir for the event, the jewels that were on the crowns, and the thousands of attendants and armed forces that were called upon to serve or celebrate the coronation. But though important, this king could not command every guest to attend. At the end of the day, acceptance of that invitation was left to the person invited, which some were reported to have turned down. As the king walked past the guests, not all bowed or curtsied. Without his regalia, the king looked just like any other. This will not be so with Christ, “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” (Php 2:10-11).  The glory of the king is not just about the external pomp but in the might of his power. All power and glory belong to Christ, “the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might . . . ” (1Ch 29:11-12). Regardless of how dignified the recent coronation’s guest list was, every person attending – from king to servant – was under the power of Christ. Even if the “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Rev 17:15) conspire together to revolt against Christ, “the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev 17:14). Christ’s power lies not just in the mere outward show. Because He holds all power and authority in this universe in His Hand, none can resist His will. Christ will bear all the outward vestiges of glory – hosts of heavenly angels are at His call, multitudes of saved ones will be worshipping Him, “he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19:16), “and on his head were many crowns” (Rev 19:12). So, what is more important is that Christ’s glory is not merely ceremonial and outward, but His very being is infinitely glorious and all power and principalities lie in His hands. He shall sit on “a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” (Rev 20:11) Fear and awe, as never experienced by mankind, will come upon all that must appear inescapably before Him on that day.   

A King over all dominions. Gathered at the coronation were the political leaders of the United Kingdom. The importance of the king would be reflected by the span of his domain as well. As such, special attention was given to the attendance of Commonwealth representatives. An important part of the coronation was the oath of allegiance to the king. But the congregation consisted not only of political leaders and Commonwealth representatives but leaders of faith communities as well. In addition, an invitation was given to those watching the screening, to pay homage to the king, pledging to be true and faithful to the king. The patriotic national anthem “God save the King” was heard regularly during the event. Though the recent coronation was possibly only a shadow of other historical coronations, it is still possibly unsurpassed in recent history. Yet, no matter how “big” the domain may seem to be, it is still limited to certain territories on earth and in the earthly visible realm. One day, our Saviour will reveal Himself as the true global ruler over all the earth during the millennium. There is a time coming “when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations” (Mt 25:31-32). Today, we have the Commonwealth, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, territories and states which were or are still bound together by a common rule. Throughout man’s history, such common rule has often been marked by instances where individual states strove to break away or exert their independence from that rule. That is the nature of mankind and nations today. When Christ’s kingdom comes, every nation, territory, state, and power in every part of the world will come under His control. “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron”, and no one will be able to resist His rule, for “as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers” (Rev 2:27). Any resistance will be dealt with and squelched instantly. Righteousness shall rule supreme. All earthly political systems – republicans, monarchists, or communists – will be replaced by theocracy. Look at the reverence and subjection of how a king or a head of state or the president is received today. All this will be insignificant compared to Christ, the King of kings. In His hands lies all power – political and religious. Christ will be the King over the whole globe omnipresently, omnisciently, and omnipotently.

In our foolish and sinful minds, we are often very awe-struck by the pageantry and grandeur of man’s earthly power and slight Christ because of His humility and meekness displayed at His first coming. This is seen by how we prepare diligently and dress our best for our job interviews or when we attend some important event. Yet, we dress carelessly, sit irreverentially, sing nonchalantly, and may even daydream when we appear before Christ in formal worship of Him. We do not see Christ as Glorious nor as the Omnipotent King. We study at Christmas on Christ’s high attributes that “the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6), so let us in our attitudes toward Him reflect that! Let this coronation be a reminder to us of the greatness of Christ and the unparalleled glory that we must give Him above all on this earth.

Mal 1:6   A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor