Our Coming King

The angel who appeared to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem delivered another short but full announcement that gives a hint as to the name of the child, “Savior,” for Jesus means “the LORD saves.” He also attached two titles to the child: Christ and Lord. Christ means “Anointed One”—the Hebrew form is Messiah. The word Lord was the word used in reverence as divine name replacement. In other words, by this title, the angel was announcing the deity of the child.

Suddenly the sky was filled with the heavenly army. Their Commander and King was below in the manger. In the book of Joshua, the Lord Jesus was standing outside of the city of Jericho and identified Himself to Joshua as the “Ruler of the Army of the LORD” (Joshua 5:13-15). The Lord Jesus led the army on many occasions (see Micah 5:2, “whose goings forth are from of old…”).

The message of the angels, who were arrayed above the shepherds, swelled in powerful chorus proclaiming glory and peace in two directions, two locations, toward God and certain people. If you study this chorus carefully, you will see that it is no weak wish. It is a statement of fact: “Glory to God in the highest [place], and on earth peace in men on whom His favor rests!” (Luke 2:14).

Their chorus was sent out to echo ”glory to God” in heaven’s holy of holies and “peace” in the holy of holies of the hearts of men on whom the grace of God rests. Glory belongs only to God. Peace on earth exists only in the hearts of God’s children.