JD Abshire

In 1 Samuel 1:3 God is referred to for the first time as “Lord of hosts”, literally YHWH or Yahweh of armies. This name/title is repeated some 270 times in the Old Testament. Here are a few of those references which will hopefully establish Christ’s preexistence and activity prior to his incarnation and also serve to answer your question concerning Christ’s position as King; please bear with me.

1 Samuel 1:3 “And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.”

Isaiah 37:16 “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.”
Isaiah 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

Isaiah 47:4 “As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 48:2 “For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.”
Psalms 24:10 “Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”
Psalms 46:7 “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
Psalms 48:8 “As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.”
Psalms 84:12 “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.”

Psalms 47:2 “For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.”
Psalms 47:7 “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.”

Let's summarize:

1. The Lord of hosts is the God to whom the Israelites offered sacrifice and also worshipped. 
2. He is God of all kingdoms of the earth and creator of heaven and earth. (Note the location of his dwelling, very significant “between the cherubims” See Ex.25:17-22, Lev. 16:14-16)
3. He is the redeemer, the first and the last. (See Rev. 1:11, 17; 2:8; 22:13)
4. He is the Holy one of Israel.
5. He is the King of glory. 6. He is the God of Jacob. 7. He is King of all the earth. 

Colossians 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

He always has been King and has been working everything according to the plan and purpose of the determinate counsel. (Ephesians 1:11) 

Oh how we Christians should humble ourselves before our great God and Savior. Just to think, imagine and realize the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the creator of heaven and earth was crucified by the very creatures he made. He died for you and me.

October 03 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report