In the uncertainty of changing events, we as believers have the confidence of knowing that our Lord is sovereignly guiding and ruling in the affairs of mankind. The writer of Hebrews attested to this when he wrote that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). In the past, in the present, and in the future, the Lord Jesus is the Lord God omnipotent.
The word omnipotent appears in our English Bible only one time. The reference is found in the Book of Revelation at the climactic, glorious proclamation of the universal reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the time of the proclamation of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Apostle John described the mighty shout that he heard from Heaven: “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6).
It is very fitting that this one time that the English word omnipotent appears is immediately before the glorious vision of our Lord Jesus crowned with many crowns and riding His white horse in victory and triumph.
Earlier in this study of God’s attributes, we looked at the significance of the Hebrew word אֵל שַׁדַּי (El Shaddai), the Old Testament term usually translated “Almighty.” The New Testament word often translated “Almighty” is the word ὁ παντοκράτωρ (ho pantokrator). This Greek word in Revelation 19:6 is translated as “omnipotent.”
This fascinating word for “Almighty” is not used very often in the New Testament nor in the wider scope of Greek secular literature. The word comes from two roots: παντός (panto) which means “everything” and κράτος (kratos) which means “rule.” This second Greek word kratos is the same word that is at the root of words such as autocrat (self-rule) or democrat (people-rule).
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Almighty, is the One and only “Pantocrat” (Pantocrator)—He is the Ruler over all! Jesus does not rule by the popular vote of the people (a democracy). He does not rule by means of elected representatives (a republic). He does not even rule by dynastic titles that can be bestowed or taken away (a monarchy). Paul called Him “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15).
No matter who is the President or who is the Prime Minister, the Lord Jesus Christ is always and forever seated upon the throne of His majesty. Empires rise and fall, but the Kingdom of God stands forever. Nations come and go; they are forgotten, but the eternal dominion of Jesus stretches “from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8). As the saints and angels proclaimed in Revelation 19:6, “The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
After this glorious announcement, the battlements of Heaven are opened to reveal the King of kings riding forth in triumph and victory! “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:11–13).
At His first coming, the Lord Jesus rode a humble donkey into Jerusalem. At His second coming, He will ride a white steed! At His first coming, Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. When He comes again, He will return as the King of Glory, strong and mighty, mighty in battle! At His first coming, Jesus wore a cruel crown of thorns. Now, He is gloriously crowned with many diadems. At His first coming, He was displayed to the mockery of the people spattered with His own sacrificial blood—blood drawn from sharp thorns and painful lashings. He will return victorious, clothed in a vesture dipped in the blood of His enemies.
“And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:14–16).
At His first coming, He suffered and bled and died alone. At His reappearing, the Lord Jesus will be accompanied by the armies that He has redeemed by His eternal sacrifice. At His first coming, He was pierced by the spear. Soon, Christ will come, wielding the sharp sword of victory. At His first coming, the mocking soldiers pressed a reed into His hand. Now as the risen Christ, He rules the nations with a rod of iron! At His first coming, He was proclaimed as “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19). When He returns, He will be proclaimed as “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”!
This day will surely come. We should echo the plea of the Apostle John, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). Until that glorious day, we should carefully reevaluate our allegiances, our priorities, and our perspective on life.
Whether you identify politically as a Republican, a Democrat, a Libertarian, an Independent, or carry any other temporary political label from other parties around the world, the Lord Jesus Christ is the only universal and eternal Pantocrat. He never loses an election because He never holds one! He never sends out a referendum to seek out popular opinion. He is an absolute ruler, but a kind, loving, and benevolent One that knows what is best and does what is best. He is worthy of our utmost allegiance. We should be grateful for the civil authorities that God has given to us, and we should do our best to be faithful, dutiful citizens of the nation where God has placed us. However, our supreme allegiance must always be to Christ.
“The Lord God omnipotent reigneth”! Let this triumphant proclamation be your encouragement, even on your darkest day. Memorize it. Meditate upon it. Proclaim it! Encourage your family with this truth. Remind your church family of God’s steadfastness. Christ is omnipotent! He is on the throne now and forever. May we say with the saints and angels “Alleluia!” Praise the Lord!