Royal Return 君王再临
Dexu Xia
Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. Isaiah 45:23
With a worldwide audience estimated in the billions, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was possibly the most watched broadcast in history. One million people lined London’s streets on that day, and 250,000 queued for hours that week to see the Queen’s coffin. A historic five hundred kings, queens, presidents, and other heads of state came to pay tribute to a woman known for her strength and character.
As the world turned its gaze to Great Britain and its departing queen, my thoughts turned to another event—a royal return. A day is coming, we’re told, when the nations will gather to recognize a far greater Monarch (Isaiah 45:20-22). A leader of strength and character (v. 24), before Him “every knee will bow” and by Him “every tongue will swear” (v. 23), including the world’s leaders, who’ll pay Him tribute and lead their nations to walk in His light (Revelation 21:24, 26). Not all will welcome this Monarch’s arrival, but those who do will enjoy His reign forever (Isaiah 45:24-25).
Just as the world gathered to watch a queen leave, one day it will see its ultimate King return. What a day that will be—when one and all, in heaven and on earth, bow to Jesus Christ and recognize Him as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). By: Sheridan Voysey
Why do you think Queen Elizabeth II was honored so much? What should it look like to follow Jesus as King today?
Dear Jesus, I bow to You today, honoring You as the ultimate King of the world and rightful Ruler of my life
万膝必向我跪拜，万口必凭我起誓。—以赛亚书45章23节
据估计，全球有数十亿人观看英国女王伊莉莎白二世的葬礼，这可能是有史以来最多人收看的实况转播。在葬礼之前，有25万人排队数小时，为要瞻仰女王的灵柩。葬礼当天，有上百万人列队在伦敦的街道两旁相送。有五百位来自世界各国的国王、女王、总统及元首，向这位以能力及美好品格著称的女王致敬，如此盛况史无前例。
当世人将目光集中于英国和与世长辞的女王时，我的思绪却转向另一件事：君王再临。以赛亚书45章20-22节告诉我们，终有一天，列国的人将聚在一起，承认一位更伟大的君王。这位领袖富有能力和美好的特质（24节），在祂面前，万膝必向祂跪拜，万口必起誓效忠于祂（23节），其中包括世界各国的领袖，他们都向祂致敬，并带领他们的百姓走在祂的光中（启示录21章24、26节）。然而，并非所有人都欢迎这位君王降临，但那些迎接祂的人，将永远享受祂的统治（以赛亚书45章24-25节）。
正如世人聚在一起为女王的离世致哀，有一天，世人也将目睹那位最伟大的君王再临。那是多么美好的一天！届时，天上、地上所有的一切都要向耶稣基督屈膝，并且承认祂是主（腓立比书2章10-11节）。
作者： 霍薛顿
你认为英国女王伊莉莎白二世为何如此受人尊敬？
跟随耶稣并尊祂为王，应该有哪些行为表现？
耶稣的再来将会呈现上帝完美的同在。