ODJ: dethroned

June 12, 2013 

READ: Job 12:13-25 

Five kings have already fallen, thesixth now reigns,and the seventh isyet to come, but hisreign will be brief (Revelation 17:10). 

Muammar Gaddafi, Africa’s longest reigning head of state, used to pitch his infamous luxury tent at the end of my street whenever he was in Uganda for Africa Union Summit meetings. My son and I would attempt to count the number of soldiers and short-range missile launchers that surrounded Gaddafi’s canvas residence. It was clear that the Colonel feared for his life and went beyond standard security measures for protection.

In 2011, shortly after Gaddafi paid what would be his last visit to Uganda, his fears became reality when the Libyan people revolted against him. My son and I vividly remember visiting London at the beginning of the revolt and seeing two dozen children outside the Houses of Parliament chanting, “Libya, Libya, one two three, throw Gaddafi in the sea!” Just a few days after we witnessed the protests, the dictator was captured and killed.

Gaddafi’s dethroning epitomises Job’s proclamation that God “removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with ropes around their waist” (Job 12:18). No evil king will prevail forever. No head of state or president, no matter how large his empire, will ever remain in power eternally or possess even a fraction of the power of the Almighty Lord. The Lord “strips kings of understanding and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland” (v.24).

The Lord Jesus Christ reigns eternally. His truth and love will prevail over all ruthless leaders. “For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach Him. No human eye has ever seen Him, nor ever will. All honour and power to Him forever! Amen” (1 Timothy 6:14-16). Jesus will never be dethroned!—Roxanne Robbins

MORE
Read Revelation 1:5 and consider what it says about Jesus, His reign and His work on our behalf. 
NEXT
What does it mean for you to know that Jesus reigns forever? How does your relationship with the “King of kings” give you hope and purpose today? 
1 reply
  1. bill
    bill says:

    I don’t know how this article could pass through editorial. Highly skewed politically, repeating Western bais. When Iraq was invaded on the pretext of the existence of wmd, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis lost their lives. Even today, the country is still suffering from the effects of the war. By the same reckoning surely what is good for the gander should be good for the goose? What is the purpose of this article? How does it help one to get nearer to God? Or does it have an axe to grind?

Comments are closed.