Today’s second reading from the book of Revelation touches on two important things that are on our minds today. The first is the idea of Christ as king, which we celebrate today. The second is that today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year. At the end of the Christian year of worship, our minds turn to thoughts of the end of all things, of the end times. Our reading from Revelation has much to tell us about the kingship of Christ and about the end times.

The reading begins by giving us three new titles for Christ. “Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Revelation 1:5). From this we see that Christ is not just a king, he is the king of kings. He is “the ruler of the kings of the earth.” The reign of Christ is one that extends not just to individuals and the church but to the state also. There are many people today who believe that the reign of Christ is simply an internal influence in the hearts of those who believe. That is what they mean by separation of church and state. But that is not correct. We believe in the separation of church and state, not in the separation of God and state. A state may not endorse one particular religion over others. This is called freedom of religion. But a state should strive always to be one nation under God.

Similarly, there are many Christians who keep away from politics, calling it a dirty game unworthy of committed Christians. Such Christians need to be reminded today that Christ is “the ruler of the kings of the earth.” In order words, Christ is interested and involved in politics. Christ may not be a member of one political party or the other, since all political parties are accountable to him. But Christ is interested in those who govern and how they rule, since they are supposed to be instruments through whom God cares for His people (Romans 13:1-7).

One Christian correspondence course that is popular in Africa teaches that “Satan’s world system includes commerce, politics, religion, education, entertainment, world kingdoms, world organizations and many other things.” This kind of belief makes Christians recoil into their shells and curse the darkness rather than stand up and light a candle. “The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). So, let us stand up in our faith and take the world for Christ. The world already belongs to him in principle, anyway. Let us be proactive in transforming the social order, and not only react with complaints at those who are not doing it right.

The celebration of Christ as our king reminds us that Christ has made us, his followers into “a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father” (Revelation 1:6). Our service of God includes in the political and social realms. A Christian who is content with remaining a closet Christian does not fully understand what it means to be a Christian. African Christians who hold a public parade of faith on this day are right. Today’s feast is a statement that Christ and his message should have a place in social and public life, not just in the private lives of believers.

The reign of Christ is present as a mustard seed in this life. As Christians our work is to nurture this seed so that it grows. The seed will grow and reach maturity and become a tree in whose branches the birds of the air will take refuge at the coming of Christ on the Last Day.

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

Christ will come as king to judge both individuals and nations. “Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.” This refers to individuals. “And on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.” This refers to nations. The word translated as “tribes” (phylê) also means “peoples” as well as “nations.” Be patriotic, bring your country back to Christ. Vote wisely. Contribute to the ideas that shape the nation and the world today. This is how we allow Christ to be king not just in our hearts, not just in our church, but also in our nation and in our world.