The world looked on during the funeral and associated ceremonial following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island, whose influence was felt also throughout and beyond the Commonwealth of which she was head. Immediately upon her death, her eldest son became king, and has chosen to be called Charles III [not all previous kings have been known by their first given names after accession, the late queen’s father being one example]. The new king has become monarch at nearly three times the age that his mother did, with little prospect of a long reign.
Much has been written and spoken about what may be expected of the new king. Modern monarchs no longer lead their troops into battle, even though they are heads of their respective armed forces; constitutional monarchs usually remain aloof from politics, while being available to politicians for consultation; laws are mostly drawn up and agreed by parliaments, to be merely signed into law by the monarchs. Their greatest influence upon the public seems to be in their manner of life and their speeches.
Many countries have discarded monarchy and chosen to have other kinds of head of state, usually an elected president over an elected parliament or equivalent, not feeling the need to have the continuity and stability provided by a politically neutral hereditary head of state. We have seen the effects of elected heads polarising their people instead of uniting them, promoting extreme views, and even in their ignorance contradicting established experts to the detriment of their nation’s health.
But, there is an ideal form of government that will be implemented shortly. It will provide continuity, stability, justice and international peace. It will be an absolute monarchy. Its king is waiting to take his throne and reign, and when he appears the whole world will know and be subject to him, whether or not willingly. He will not reign alone, but will be assisted by an international corps of prepared rulers whose training is spread over several thousand years.
Even before this king was born, his coming and his power were promised. In the Bible, in the book of Daniel we read...
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. [Daniel 7:13-14]
This is a promise of the Lord Jesus Christ, returning in glory to fulfil this prophecy, with an enduring kingdom and kingship. We also read...
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. [Daniel 7:27]
...a description of those who shall rule with him, in enduring positions of authority. These saints are not those nominated by mortal men, but those approved of God at their judgment before the Lord Jesus Christ at his return.
The kind of king we should expect is shown clearly in Psalm 72, and the nature of his reign in Isaiah 11:1-9.
If we are to be accounted saints at Jesus’ return, when he raises the dead and gathers them, and the living, to judgement, we need to prepare for rulership now, by reading, understanding, believing and obeying God’s Word, the Bible. There will be no place for ignorant, unprepared rulers in the coming Kingdom – the responsibilities and privileges are too great for such incompetence.
The signs in the world: increasing extremes of weather, escalating international violence, threatening, drastic re-alignment of nations, and man’s abuse of his environment, all point to the nearness of this divine intervention in the affairs of men. Our status then depends on our response now.