Before we begin, I want to express my gratitude to the families of all those who have lost their loved ones while defending our country. I honor their sacrifices. May the Lord bless and heal you. Having given to those men and women the honor that is due them, we will now consider the subject of this week’s blog.
Sometimes, when one watches an outstanding athletic contest, the commentators will call it a game or a match for the ages. It is hyperbole, certainly, because the recollection of these games is fleeting. For example, most of us do not remember, I would think, who won the Super Bowl five years ago. More importantly, when the athletes in these supposed games of the ages stand before God there will be no medals around their necks, no trophies in their hands, nor any tributes in their mouths. The games in which they played and the accompanying accolades will mean nothing as they stand before God Almighty. He and He alone is worthy of honor and glory forever.
“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).1
So, what does it mean that God is King of the ages?
The Greek phrase ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων can mean either king of the ages or eternal king. That means that God was the sovereign King in ages past, He is the King right now, and He will be the King forever. He rules over everything in the universe and on the earth. He drives human and cosmic history, and none can resist His will. Whatever He wants to happen, will happen.
Period.
After writing that God is King of the ages, Paul wrote that God is immortal. The Greek word ἄφθαρτος means “not perishable.” So, we have a King who is not only eternal, but He also cannot be injured, get sick, or die.
The Christian God is eternal. I am in Him and He is in me, therefore, I am eternal and imperishable, as well. In His heavenly kingdom, I cannot be injured, get sick, or die. In fact, everything in His kingdom is imperishable. Look at these animals that Isaiah listed that will be in heaven.
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den” (Isaiah 11:6–8).
Animals that will never perish. If you’re like me, you may be asking, “Really? Eternal snakes?”
Next, Paul wrote that God is invisible.
When God is at work, He cannot be seen, whether it is in His actions of teaching, comfort, creation, salvation, healing, deliverance, or any other of His many activities.
Finally, Paul wrote that to Him, the only God, be honor and glory forever.
This is what the Apostle John wrote that he heard in heaven:
“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’ And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped” (Revelation 5:13-14).
Lord God Almighty, You are King of the ages. You and You alone are worthy of honor and glory. We join our voices with every creature in heaven and on earth and worship You.
1All Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Gif courtesy Mozilla images.
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