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 As I’ve pondered and prayed over our broken world these last few
weeks a question started bouncing around in my brain. It is a
timeless question. It will not be confined to an era or a locale. It
is so significant you might even call it
THE question to
end all questions. Its voice grows louder and clearer with each
passing day. You may hear it echoing across fields of conflict in
Syria and Iraq as brave souls oppose the brutality of black-garbed
men with a reputation for mutilating their fellow human beings.
The question of whether Iran is being truthful about its nuclear
intentions is being debated.
THE question is
behind that question.
Wars are being waged by a terrorist group on the continent of Africa
in countries like Nigeria and Chad to decide
THE question.
Civil war in Sudan? Same question.
Return of the Iron Curtain? Yep.
Starting to recognize a pattern?
THE question is
always there, but thankfully it doesn’t always inspire bloodshed.
 It may be spring time in a year without a national primary or
general election, but that doesn’t mean the political machines
aren’t humming within our borders. Candidates are being vetted.
Others discredited. Soon enough it will be time again to vote.
Why, even the deadlock between the branches of our government in
recent years point to
THE question lurking in the shadows.
And these are examples just from our time, right now.
THE question
has been debated, fought over, elected, and rebelled against from
age to age. Pick a century. Pick an empire.
Pick a peaceful election or a bloody struggle. 1940’s? Axis
or Allies?
1860’s? Union or Confederacy?
Let’s go ancient. Greece or Rome? Egypt or Assyria?
THE question
behind it all has been answered temporarily, but it has never been
answered once and for all.
THE
question that has written the history of humanity can be asked in 3
short words: WHO WILL RULE?
History testifies that no government ruled by man will last. No
dictator, emperor, president or prime minister will maintain their
power forever. Kingdoms rise. Kingdoms fall. But the question
remains: WHO WILL RULE?
Why are the administrations of this world temporary? Because they
are flawed. Why are they flawed? Because they are led by men – mere
mortals. No king has yet sat on the throne of the world who is wise
enough, great enough, humble enough, loving enough, tough enough to
effectively rule the globe. And even if such a one was found, what
would come of us when he died? Who then would rule?
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A scene, in the form of a vision, from the Bible might help us
understand this conundrum in which we find ourselves. As history
draws to a close the deed to the world, really to all creation, is
presented to the inhabitants of the earth in the form of a scroll.
Only one who is worthy – someone who possesses all the qualities I
mentioned above – has both the right and the power to take
possession of the scroll. Between the lines of Revelation 5:3 a
search is undertaken, but no one is found who is worthy. Humanity
appears to be doomed to destroy itself with perpetual conflict over
THE
question.
John, the one to whom the vision was revealed, began to weep with
bitter tears because no one could be found who was good enough, wise
enough, humble enough, tough enough and loving enough to rule the
world. But someone encouraged him with words that changed
everything:
“Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir
to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy!”
We call Him Jesus. He alone has shown that He is good enough to
never yield to temptation, wise enough to know the hearts of men,
compassionate enough to forgive sins and heal diseases, humble
enough to submit to the cruel torture of crucifixion, and tough
enough to defeat death itself.
Sometimes we
call Him
"Christ"
That’s not a name, but a title:
"King of Kings"
THE question will someday be answered once and for all. HE WILL RULE
- FOREVER!
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
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