Intrigued With Royalty
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has consumed headlines around the world, and for good reason. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II leaves an impressive legacy of leadership. Franklin Graham states that she has been an example of leadership and led a life of integrity, adding that she spoke of her love for Jesus Christ and her belief in God’s Word. Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II was well aware of heavenly royalty and how it compared to hers. It has been said that she had hoped for Jesus Christ to return while she was still living so that she could lay her crown at His feet.
As a little girl, I enjoyed reading stories of kings, queens, princes, princesses, and their kingdoms. I think most of us have. Thoughts of chivalry and knighthood did not seem that far-fetched or unrealistic and the concepts created a sense of strength, pride, bravery, and poise which seemed both noteworthy and ideal. The fact that many countries historically adhered to these principles of governance brought history lessons to life, while at the same time being intertwined with one’s imagination and fairy tales.
I remember years ago, meeting a woman born and raised in England. Ms. Jane was a financial consultant at the time, and I had the privilege of working with her in Paris, France during an internship for my undergraduate degree. I was serving as a bilingual sales assistant and Ms. Jane was my immediate supervisor. She was bilingual and spoke with a strong British accent, was elegant, and insisted upon having teatime every afternoon for a 45-minute work break. I was both intrigued and inspired by Ms. Jane’s poise, and I developed a friendship with her that provoked a new appreciation for the English people, along with a new and beautiful perspective of English culture.
When one considers Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or England in general, there is an automatic association with royalty which comes to mind. This worldly royalty falls along the lines of fairy tales, but it is also a standard in reality which resides above the average and status quo. Persons aligned with royalty maintain a different level of respect from others and they undoubtedly demonstrate a poise merged with elegance.
Why is it that we are so intrigued with the concept of royalty? The crowns, thrones, kingdoms, jewels, authority, prestige, beauty, sovereignty, etc. What is it about these things that seems to draw us in? As I was considering this allure, I came to realize that it provides a picture and anticipation for what God promises is to come. The Bible teaches about the presence of kingdoms, more importantly one ultimate Kingdom which literally will trump all others. Could it be that we are naturally drawn to such things because God desires for every single person to experience His riches in His Kingdom for eternity? I think so. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. While exiled on the island of Patmos, John writes, “the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14, NIV). Seeing that all persons are created in the image of God and made for a relationship with Him, this attraction to the concept of royalty makes perfect sense.
According to the Bible, royalty is a reality, and there is a succession law which exists: all who put their hope and faith in Jesus Christ are the qualified. The royal family members are Christians and there is hope for ETERNAL ROYALTY. The Bible speaks of a crystal sea, streets of gold, gates of pearl, mansions, and feasts (Reference Revelation 4:6, 21:1-27, John 14:2). This ROYALTY is a place of total perfection whereto there will be no more pain, no more suffering, and no more sin. This is a picture of ROYALTY which never fades.
So, as we observe earthly kingdoms and God shows us just a glimpse of what divine ROYALTY will look like, there will be transfers of power and kings and queens will come and go. Yet, may we be mindful that the Bible teaches that such kingdoms and titles are not fairy tales or far-fetched at all. All humanity is created in the image of the one true God, destined as spiritual beings to live forever in one domain or another. God’s desire is for the eternal destination to be in ROYALTY versus damnation and eternal separation from Him, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9b). The choice is ours and depends upon whether or not sin is confessed and Jesus Christ is professed as Lord. ROYALTY indeed awaits.