COVENANT MINDED MINISTRIES

He is Lord of lords and King of kings 

which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, (1st Timothy 6:15)

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
(Revelation 19:16)

God will maiifest Jesus Christ's return in His own timing.  This will happen at a specific time that Jesus Himself declared was known only to the Father.

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him (Jesus), saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? (Acts 1:6)

And He (Jesus) said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. (Acts 1:7)

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32)

As one who was fully God and at the same time fully man, Jesus possessed all attributes of deity, including omnipotence and omniscience.

He knew what was in people's heart and He could still the waves of the sea.  However, when Jesus became man, He voluntarily gave up and/or placed certain knowledge in the hands of the Father.

Now, however, after His resurrection and glorious ascension to heaven, glorified and at the right hand of the throne of God, He Himself now knows the day and hour of His return as His Father knows.

Jesus words, unlike this perishing planet (Earth) will never pass away.  Whatever He has said is good yesterday, today, and forevermore.

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will burn up. (2nd Peter 3:10)

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, (2nd Peter 3:11)

looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2nd Peter 3:12)

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2nd Peter 3:13)

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth had passed away. (Revelation 21:1)

All Things Made New

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3)

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”  (Revelation 21:5)

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. (Revelation 21:6)

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:7)

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

The River of Life

The river flowing with the water of life is an account of a memorable experience (reminiscent) of the water coming from the temple in Ezekiel 47, as well as of Jesus' expression "rivers of living water" in John 7:38, symbolizing the New Covenant ministry of the Holy Spirit in John 7:39.

Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. (Ezekiel 47:1)

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  (John 7:37)

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:39)

The Holy Spirit satisifies personal thirsts and produces a perennial (enduring and everlasting) fountain for others who choose to come and drink of this fountain.

The Holy Spirit came unto believers after Jesus' crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension, and now lives or dwells within all who believe and confess Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Those who believe in Christ do not only receive a river of water that satisifies themselves, but also become a river of water so that others may drink and be satisfied.

The Tree of Life

The tree of life in the original creation was in the middle of the Garden of Eden, from which all of humanity was excluded after sin entered the world through Adam.

Ezekiel's apocalyptic (predicting or presaging imminent disaster and total or universal destruction) vision included trees bearing fruit every month with medicine leaves.

Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail.  They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary.  Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine. (Ezekiel 47:12)

In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month.  The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2) 

Oh What a City (New Jerusalem)

The affliction of sin, especially on the human race and creation will be erased forevermore.  As God had fellowship with Adam and Eve before their fall into sin, so the LORD will again have fellowship with His servants (body of Christ) eternally, with His servants worshipfully serving Him forevermore.

And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. (Revelation 22:3)

They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.  (Revelation 22:4)

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)

Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. (Revelation 22:6)

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”  (Revelation 22:7)

Worship God and Him Only

In today's times, many spiritual leaders gravitate attention to themselves rather than ensuring that the attention is on Jesus, who Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.

Those gravitating attention to themselves and so proclaiming their importance are proud and arrogant, thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to think, making themselves gods to be worshiped and praised.

When the angel was sent unto John on the isle of Patmos to give unto him an apocalyptic letter from the Lord Jesus, John made the mistake of twice of worshiping the angel, in which, he was rebuked by the angel both times.

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”  (Revelation 19:10)

Now I, John, saw and heard these things.  And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. (Revelation 22:8)

Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” (Revelation 22:9)

By commendation, rebuke, and warning through the book of Revelation, the people of God were exhorted to remain faithful in adversity.

The angel reminds John that he is merely a fellow servant of God and admonishes him twice to worship only God, which we also are to do, regardless of who some think they are or attempt to make us believe who they are.

The Reward for Servants of the Lord

The rewarding of each believer according to his or her works are taught in 2nd Corinthians 5:10.

Christ's rewards are meant to provide a powerful incentive for an obedient life.  This is exactly why the apostle Paul worked so rigorously to discipline himself so that he would not be disqualified from the reward of reigning with Jesus Christ.

The judgment seat of Christ can be a time of great regret, or it can be and ocassion of supreme joy.  After Christ comes again, He will give rewards to His own, which can be counted on, because Christ is in control of all history and eternity.

Jesus Testifies to the Churches

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (Revelation 22:12)

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:13)

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14)

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:15)

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)

Listen to the Warning

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;  (Revelation 22:18)

and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:19)

Jesus is Coming Quickly

The fact that Jesus is coming quickly with the scope of God's overall plan for this creation is a repeated theme in Revelation.

The hope of all believers to the declaration of Christ is by praying, Come, Lord Jesus.  Those who love and worship Him receive the warning and are in  profound anticipation and excitement of His coming.

The only way to be filled with excitement and anticipation is to be raptured ready, that is, for all who believe in the Rapture.

All for all not believing in the Rapture and left behind for an opportunity to be save during the seven (7) year tribulation period, your excitement and anticipation should come after realizing the truth and receiving Christ as Lord and Savior.

At such a time of realization and acceptance, the hope of these believers to the declaration of Christ is also by praying, Come, Lord Jesus, which will usher in His Second Coming.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly."  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  (Revelation 22:20)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen. (Revelation 22:21)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ begins and concludes the Book of Revelation, and it is His favor towards humanity that's emphasized that none might not perish.

Such amazing grace implies that the message of grace and the free gift of eternal life in Christ, and not just merely the message of judgment upon unbelievers, can be found in Revelation.

Jesus is both the Source and Son of David, echoing the words of Isaiah the prophet:

There shall come forth the Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. (Isaiah 11:1)

And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; (Isaiah 11:10)

Jesus is both greater than David and the rightful heir to the throne of David.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Born speaks of Jesus' humanity and given speaks of His deity, (the Word that was with God in the beginning, that became flesh; and the Word was God).

Wonderful, Counselor is actual one (1) name meaning "Wonderful Divine Counselor."

Mighty God indicates that the Lord is a powerful warrior; Everlasting Father describes a King and Father who provides for and protects His people forever; Father is used here of the Savior's role as an ideal King.

Prince of Peace is the climactic title of Jesus Christ, who is the true Prience, the One who has the right to reign and who will usher in peace.

The four (4) double names here in Isaiah 9:6 combine aspects of Jesus' deity and His humanity, asserting the dual nature of the Savior.

Jesus is God become Man and not man become God.  This understanding is very vital, in that, Mormonism teaches that God was once man who exalted himself to Godhood.

Of the increase means to Him will increase; Government and peace means "peaceful reign; the risen Lord Jesus Christ brings His rule of peace rule to the believer's heart in the present age.

The fact that Jesus will occupy the throne of David forever fulfills God's promise to David:

God's Promise to David

Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. (2nd Samuel 7:8)

And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. (2nd Samuel 7:9)

Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, (2nd Samuel 7:10)

since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house. (2nd Samuel 7:11)

“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.  (2nd Samuel 7:12)

He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (2nd Samuel 7:13)

I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. (2nd Samuel 7:14)

But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. (2nd Samuel 7:15)

And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”’” (2nd Samuel 7:16)

According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. (2nd Samuel 7:17)

Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, And said: “I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. (Psalm 89:19)

I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, (Psalm 89:20)

With whom My hand shall be etablished; Also My arm shall strengthen him. (Psalm 89:21)

The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. (Psalm 89:22)

I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him. (Psalm 89:23)
         
“But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. (Psalm 89:24)

Also I will set his hand over the sea,
And his right hand over the rivers. (Psalm 89:25)

He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’ (Psalm 89:26)

Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. (Psalm 89:27)

My mercy I will keep for him forever,
And My covenant shall stand firm with him. (Psalm 89:28)

His seed also I will make to endure forever,  And his throne as the days of heaven. (Psalm 89:29)

“If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments, (Psalm 89:30)

If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, (Psalm 89:31)

Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. (Psalm 89:32)

Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail. (Psalm 89:33)

My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. (Psalm 89:34)

Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: (Psalm 89:35)

His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; (Psalm 89:36)

It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.”  Selah  (Psalm 89:37)

Christ's Birth Announced to Mary

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (Luke 1:26)

to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:27)

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28)

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. (Luke 1:29)

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (Luke 1:30)

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. (Luke 1:31)

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. (Luke 1:32)

And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:33)

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34)

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. (Luke 1:36)

For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)

Jesus is God's Promise to David

The Highest is another way of referring to the Majesty of God, in which, Jesus has fulfilled and will fulfill God's promise to David concerning an unending dynasty.

First century Israelites based their hopes on the promises of God to David as reflected in 2nd Samuel 7:8-16; 1st Kings 2:24-25; Psalm 2:1-12; Psalm 89:14, 19-29, 35-37; Psalm 110:1-7; Psalm 132:11-12; and Isaiah 9:6).

These first century Israelites had their focus of God's promise to David on a the establishment of a political and earthly kingdom;

rather than Jesus' arrival for salvation firstly and foremostly, before occupying the throne of David.

Many of the current-day Israelites (most of them in fact) are caught-up in the same dilemma (the difficult or perplexing situation or problem) of accepting Jesus as the Messiah prophesized by the Scriptures.

Well He is the Messiah

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” (John 1:15)

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16)

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18)

All Must Appear Before Jesus Christ

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10)

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. (2nd Corinthians 5:9)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2nd Corinthians 5:10)

Who is He

He is the Word of God by which every person, place, and thing was spoken into existence.

He is the Word of God that became flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

He is the Jesus of the Bible that was crucified on the cross at Calvary, buried in a tomb, and resurrected on the third day as He said He would be.

He is the Jesus of the Bible who has ascended into heavens, and now sits on the right hand of the throne of God. 

He is King of kings and Lord of lords, and there is no ending to His Lordship and Kingship.

He is the Son God and the Son of Man.

That's My King 

My King is King of the Jews, He's the King of Israel, He's the King of Righteousness, He's the King of the Ages, He's the King of Heaven, He's the King of Glory, He's the King of Kings, He's the Lord of Lords, That's My King!

I wonder do you know Him?  My King is a Sovereign King, No Means of Measure can define His limitless Love, He's Enduringly Strong, He's Entirely Sincere, He's Eternally Steadfast, He's Immortally Grateful, He's Imperially Powerful, He's Impartially Merciful, Do you know Him?

He's the greatest Phenomenon that has ever Crossed over the Horizon of this World, He's God's son, He's a Sinner's Savior, He's the Centerpiece of Civilization, He's unparalleled, He's unprecedented,

He's the Loftiest Ideal in Literature, He's the Highest Personality in Philosophy, He's the Fundamental Doctrine of True Theology, He's the only One Qualified to be an All Sufficient Savior, I wonder if you know Him today?

He Supplies Strength to the Weak, He's available for the Tempted and the Tired, He Symphatizes and He Saves, He Strengthens and Sustains, He Guards and He Guides, He Heals the Sick, He Cleansed the Lepers, He Forgives Sinners, He Discharges Debtors,

He Delivers the Captive, He Defends the Feeble, He Blesses the Young, He serves the Unfortunate, He Regards the Aged, He Rewards the Diligent, He Beautifies the Meager, I wonder if you know Him?

He's the Key to Knowledge, He's the Wellspring of Wisdom, He's the Doorway of Deliverance, He's the Pathway of Peace, He's the Roadway of Righteousness, He's the Highway of Holiness, He's the Gateway of Glory, Do you know Him?

His Life is Matchless, His Goodness is Limitless, His Mercy is Everlasting, His Love never Changes, His Word is Enough, His Grace is Sufficient, His Reign is Righteous, His Yoke is Easy, His Burden is Light,  I wish I could describe Him to you!

He's Indescribable, He's Incomphrehensible, He's invincible, He's Irresistable, You can't get Him out of your Mind, You can't get Him off of your Hand, You can't out live Him, and You can't live without Him,

The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but They found out They couldn't stop Him, Pilate couldn't find any Fault in Him, Herod couldn't kill Him, Death couldn't handle Him, and the Grave couldn't Hold Him, Yeah, That's My King!  Amen.

Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge (March 7, 1913 - April 4, 2000) was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, a prominent African-American congregation located in San Diego, California, from 1953 to 1993. He was known for his preaching across the United States and around the world. His ministry touched the lives of more than 100,000 people. He preached at crusades, revivals, religious rallies and evangelistic conferences around the world.

Dr. Lockridge was active in the civil rights movement, and under his leadership Calvary Baptist hosted several of its leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Jackson. His best-known message is a six-minute description of Jesus Christ, known as "That's my King!" for Lockridge's repeated refrain.

Thanks be to God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ for Dr. Lockridge's work in the Holy Spirit, including, but not limited to, the message, "That's My King!"