[Steve Myers] When our children were young, we got a new puppy. And you know how easy new little puppies are to work with. Amazing how much energy they can have. Well, ours certainly did. And the lady who we got the dog from was telling us, "Well, here's how you should discipline the dog so they know who's in charge." And so our feisty little puppy was giving our daughter a hard time one day and she was trying to work with this little dog and she kept telling him, "You're not the boss of me. You're not the boss of me." Because he was so feisty. Have you ever said that? Maybe not to a dog. Oh, yes. You know, I think when you consider that, "You're not the boss of me," or maybe to say it a different way, "Nobody's telling me what to do," you ever thought those things? Or maybe thinking about it in another way, who's in charge? Who's in charge of your life? Who's king in your life?

I mean, here we are at the Feast of Trumpets. It represents and symbolizes this great pivotal point in God's master plan. In this plan of salvation, Trumpets is pivotal. You could say it's the turning point in all of history because it is such a remarkable event that's going to take place. In fact, these seven annual Holy Days, we are right in the middle. This is the fourth. There's three on one side and three on the other side. On the one side of Trumpets is dread and terror and tribulation, a time of trouble, spiritual darkness. But on the other side, this day, when it is literally fulfilled, will be an unbelievable, fantastic new age of peace, and love, and joy, and light. That'll all be made possible by the return of Christ. That great trumpet will sound and Christ will return.

In fact, Revelation 19:11 talks about this very time. Revelation 19:11, if you'd like to turn with me there, it's that section of Revelation where John talks about the return of Christ and that great white horse that is going to appear. In fact, in Revelation 19:11, John records one of his titles. One of his titles is Faithful. Another is True. In fact, in verse 11 it says, "In righteousness He judges and makes war." A description in verse 12, "His eyes were like a flame of fire, on His head were many crowns. He had a name that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

And, of course, this is what's literally going to take place when Trumpets is fulfilled. This is the actual event. Now we're not talking about just symbolism, but what will take place as Christ returns. And, in fact, as we look through Scripture, you could even imagine this would be the time that Christ will take the throne. The one who sits on the throne of this earth will be dethroned. He will be removed and, ultimately, the King of Kings will be enthroned. In fact, aren't we looking forward to the coronation of the King, the real King, the King of all kings? It's amazing to think about this as it relates throughout Scripture because sometimes we may think, "Well, this is sort of an isolated event," but there is so much in the Bible that leads and points to this very event.

In fact, when we think about various kings throughout Scripture, physical kings, they were types of what ultimately would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. There was some symbolism there that pointed to the actual fulfillment. You could say they were physical examples of what ultimately would be fulfilled spiritually, or we could say these were temporary kings that pointed to the ultimate King, to the heavenly King to come. In fact, there's an example in the installation of a king back in the Old Testament that points to the enthronement of Jesus Christ. It's over in 1 Samuel 9:27. Turn there with me and we'll look at three different parts of the installation of a physical king that points to the ultimate King of Kings. Notice 1 Samuel 9:27, we can pick up an initial aspect, a first aspect of the installation or the enthronement of a physical king. Notice what takes place as Saul is going to become king.

1 Samuel 9:27, it says, "As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul." Of course, Saul is going to be the very first king of Israel. So, Samuel says, “'Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.’ And he went on. But Samuel says, ‘You stand here awhile, that I may announce you to the word of God.’" Chapter 10 verse 1, "Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on his head and kissed him and said: ‘Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?’" In fact, it's interesting the Septuagint adds this in verse 1. "And you shall deliver his people from the hands of their enemies all around them and this shall be assigned to you, that God anointed you to be a prince."

Now, this points, I think to the first part of what enthronement is all about, it starts with a declaration. It starts with a pronouncement. And here, Samuel is declaring Saul king. And, of course, as a king begins to take the throne, certain things happen. Of course, in ancient times we see first, there's a declaration. "Saul, you are to be king." And a couple of things accompany that declaration. In ancient times, the king was given a scepter. They're giving that little baton-like thing, a scepter, and it represented authority. It represented kingship. In fact, it was an emblem of royal office. And so they were declared that king as they were given these different items. In fact, Genesis 49:10 describes this scepter that oftentimes was given as an individual was declared king. In this particular passage, Genesis 49:10, it's in a prophecy about the tribe of Judah. And in this particular prophecy, notice what's referenced. Genesis 49:10, in this prophecy about the tribe of Judah, Genesis 49:10, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah."

So, we have a prophecy ultimately pointing to the royal office, the kingship you could say, that would come. The kingship of Jesus Christ. In fact, it even says that. "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people." Shiloh, referring to Jesus Christ, the one who will come to which royalty truly belongs, to Jesus Christ. So, this prophecy forecast the time when Christ would return. And like those ancient kings who are given a scepter, given the royal office, given the authority, Jesus Christ will come with authority. And, in fact, not only was a scepter given to those ancient kings, there was also a rod that was given to them or a staff. A staff was also given to these kings. And that had a little bit different sense in what it represented.

Not just authority, not just kingship, not just the royal office, but this implicated how they would rule, how they would reign. What kind of authority would they demonstrate? This rod pointed to that very fact. In fact, it's intimated the kind of rulership that Christ would initially have as he returns to this earth. In Isaiah 11:1, if you'd like to turn to Isaiah verse 1, we find Isaiah doing a similar thing pointing to Jesus Christ. Here he's making a pronouncement. He's making a declaration, almost like Samuel did for Saul, but this time pointing to the ultimate ruler. So he makes this pronouncement. He makes an announcement about the coming one, about Jesus Christ, about the ultimate King of Kings. And notice Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah prophesize this. He says, "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse." Now, this Rod isn't referring to the kingly staff. This Rod actually means like a branch, like a branch out of that heritage, out of Jesse, out of Judah.

It says, "A Branch shall grow out of his roots." It kind of ties in with what we read back in Genesis 49. But as we go on, we see this announcement, this declaration, this prophecy about the coming one. Looking at verse 4, it says, "But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,” How will He rule? While the rod was connected into the sense of what kind of authority will He bring? "For the poor," it says, "He will judge” and He will honor them and help them. He'll “decide with equity for the meek of the earth." It almost sounds like those things mentioned in Matthew about who will inherit the earth? What will that be like? Then it also says on the other hand, "He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth," and that rod is the staff. That's not talking about a branch this time. Now it's talking about that staff, and it says, "With the breath of His lips, he shall slay the wicked.” Just like a shepherd fends off the wolf or fends off the lion from the flock.

That staff, he will rule. He will rule with fairness, with equity, and if those that oppose Him come forth, they have to be struck down. But He will bless those who are meek and watch over them and protect them. In fact, verse 5 says, "Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist." So, this great declaration is made about the coming king and He will take those attributes of kingship and authority and He will reign and rule righteously, not like those human kings that have reigned throughout time. Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the righteous one. In fact, Jeremiah prophesied about that very fact. If you'd like to turn to Jeremiah 23, notice verse 5. A prophecy about the fulfillment of this Feast of Trumpets. Jeremiah 23:5, notice this pronouncement. This first step in the coronation of a king is this declaration, the pronouncement. In this case, certainly a prophecy about that coming king, Jeremiah 23. We'll begin in verse 5. It says, “'Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a king shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.’"

So, we see both the scepter and the rod are in His hand. The rulership, the authority, the kingly office, as well as equitable righteousness service. He will rule in righteousness. Verse 6, "In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. Now this is His name by which He will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness." And, of course, Jeremiah puts a little bit of a different twist on it. I mean, as we think about this declaration for the one who becomes king, this announcement, you can't help but think a Trumpets question.

At least the Trumpets question comes to my mind. Have I truly made a declaration for Jesus Christ in my life? Have I made that pronouncement? Is the Lord my righteousness? Because that's what the prophecies talk about. That as a king is crowned, there has to be a pronouncement, a declaration of that very fact. And that declaration in anciently as well as what we're looking forward to in the future, is Christ my righteousness? Trumpets poses that question. And, in fact, as a king is enthroned, there's a second aspect that comes to mind, both anciently and also one that looks forward to the future as well. Because as a king begin to rule, what would they do? Would they just sit any old place? Didn't matter where… No, they sat in a very specific place. They sat on the throne, didn't they?

The king is given the throne, and whether it was King Saul or whether it was Solomon, they were given a throne and some interesting things took place. We can look at an ancient example. 1 Kings 1:34, we're coming to the end of King David's life. And now it's time for a new king to be recognized, a new declaration to be made for who would be next in line to take the throne. And so, here we are in 1 Kings 1 preparing for that very moment where the throne will now be passed from David to Solomon. So, 1 Kings 1, notice verse 34. We have a priest and a prophet presence. It says, "Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel;” So, there we have that anointing, that setting apart of the king like we saw with Saul as well. It also says, "Blow the horn." It kind of have a little bit of a Trumpets reference there, don't we? "And say, 'Long live King Solomon!' Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah."

And so, we see that special seat given to the new king, to the coming king. If we skip all the way down to verse 39, it says, "Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle, anointed Solomon. They blew the horn, and all the people said, 'Long live King Solomon!'" And so, we see this amazing example where the one king is departing, vacating the throne, and the new king is seated. The new king is enthroned, the new king is crowned. We see the coronation of this new king. And as we recognize this, there are certainly these spiritual connections to what's going on when Christ returns as well.

Jesus carries this title of Christ, of Messiah, and the word in Greek Christos or the one in Hebrew. The one in Hebrew standing for Messiah all point of this very fact that He is the Anointed One. And so, like Saul, not just the temporal king, not just temporary, not like Solomon a temporary… but here's a king that will be set aside for all time and given the throne. He will come and He will unseat the god of this age and He will rightly take the throne. It will be given to Him. And in fact, not only Him. The interesting thing about Trumpets is, if we're going to be there, there will also be a throne given to us. If you think about that, are we ready to sit on the throne? Has the former ruler of our throne been removed? Has he been unseated? If you look at Revelation 3:20, it speaks to this very fact that not only Christ is given the throne, but we have a part as well. Revelation 3 speaks to this very fact.

Revelation 3:20. I think the implication here is we're encouraged to make sure we know who is sitting on the throne of our heart and our mind. Revelation 3:20, remember, Christ is speaking this revelation. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come and dine with him, and he with Me." Verse 21, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Those are powerful words. We have the opportunity to sit with Christ on His throne, to share the throne of Jesus Christ. Trumpets reminds us of that very fact that we can participate in that. Christ is ready to return. He is ready to unseat Satan and push him aside. He's ready to unseat the powers of man and this society. And so, Trumpets brings that question for us. Are we ready to sit on that throne?

Of course, as we consider that, one of the other things we noticed in that section of Scripture is a third sense of what happens when a king is enthroned. Certainly, there's a declaration. There's a pronouncement that's made. The throne is given to that new king. But then we also find that there's a commendation that's also made at this time. Or you could say an approval. This third aspect of a king being enthroned is a recognition that this king actually is king. And if we kept reading in 1 Samuel 10, or we read about it in 2 Samuel 5, those are those sections where the people would cry out as the king took his office. They would cry, "Long live the king!", and that recognition, that commendation, the praise and the approval and recognition of that very fact show their allegiance to the king. It's Psalm 47, it speaks to that very fact, where the people shout and cry out in recognition of who is their true ruler. If you notice Psalm 47, this is sometimes called a coronation song. Psalm 47, the whole chapter speaks to this very thing. Let's notice 47 in the Psalms.

Psalms 47, it says, "Clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!” Was that just random clapping and shouting or what is that all about? No, that's the shouting and the clapping that goes on when we recognize the King of Righteousness, the King of our righteousness. We are applauding the Savior of this universe. We are honoring Him. We're pledging our allegiance to that coming King. We're shouting to God because He brings the triumph. Without Him, we have no hope. He says, "The Lord Most High is awesome. He's a great king over all the earth." Christ is coming to rule this earth. "He'll subdue the peoples under us,” yeah, that's coming. That's prophetic of what's going to happen at the return of Christ. It says, "all the nations will be under our feet. He'll choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves."

We will participate in His inheritance. It says, "God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.” And that happens at His return. "Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For the God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding.” Because He's not only King of the earth. He's not only King of the 12 tribes. He's my King. He's my King and I'm shouting and singing and clapping and praising because He is my King and my God. And so, he says, verse 8, "God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of God, the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; and He is greatly exalted." And so here we see our acclamation, our praise, our approval, pledging our allegiance to our great King as He is enthroned over king of this earth.

And we pledge our loyalty to Him just like those subjects that would come before the king in ancient times and say, "Long live the king!" We are His subjects and we give our unparalleled allegiance to Him. So, imagine this. Imagine this very time, that's just on the horizon. In fact, we're told the time will come, not when one or two knees will bow, but Romans 14 reminds us very clearly. It is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue confess to God." Every one of us, every human being will have to come to the fact that Jesus Christ is King of Kings, that God the Father is supreme overall. Everyone, not a single person will be left out. They will have to come to recognize that very fact. Whether they admit it or not is another thing, but I think it speaks to us to the importance of what Trumpets is all about.

Have I truly pledged my allegiance to God? Have I bowed the knee in every circumstance in my life? Because there's coming a time in the future where this will be fulfilled. Revelation 11 talks about the seventh trumpet where “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.” That time is symbolized in this very day, and the time is coming when the prophecies in the book of Daniel will be fulfilled. Let's look at one quickly, Daniel 7:13.

Daniel 7:13 reminds us of this acclimation, this praise, this allegiance, and how ultimately it's going to be fulfilled at the return of Jesus Christ. Daniel 7:13 prophesies about the literal fulfillment of this very event when it will no longer just be symbolic when ultimately it will be the type versus anti-type. It will be fulfilled in our savior Jesus Christ. And Daniel writes this prophecy in verse 11 chapter 7. "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days,” to the Father, “and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and the kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages or tongue should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away. and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed."

And so, what an amazing, earth-shattering event is going to take place. When this entire world is going to be faced with the fact, they must acknowledge Jesus Christ, in fact, is King. And we have to recognize this now. We've been called to do this today in our life. And we've got to go beyond just the little song that we sing, that he is King of Kings and we crown Him Lord of all. Trumpets reminds us that, personally, we have to affirm that very fact, that Jesus is Lord and He is my King. He has authority in my life. In fact, not only does He have authority, He is the authority in my life. And that has to become a daily increasing reality in every one of our lives.

And so, the Trumpets question, who is master in your life? Who is the authority in our lives? If it's not God the Father and Jesus Christ, well, who is it? Is it money? Is our job king? Is our spouse king or queen? Our girlfriend, our boyfriend? Or our clothes, our music, our prestige? You see, all of those things point to who is in charge, who is the boss of you, who has authority, who directs you and guides you. Maybe the king is you. Are you king in your life, your wants, your desires? What's most important to you, is that what guides your life? You see because a king can be an attitude. It can be a direction of thought. It can be a distraction. It can be the praise that others pour out of… that can rule over us. And it can be laziness or it can be worry or self-centeredness. Any of those things can be king over us. And even though a king can take care of us, because ultimately Christ will rule with equity and take care of this world, but He's going to do it with authority as well.

Does the king guide our life so that we follow His commands? Because a king does command. And so, we have to ask, does Christ command me? Does He command my attention? Or all too often, am I like typical human beings who don't like to be told what to do? Do we bristle at Christ directing our life? You see, Trumpets is a reminder of those types of things. Or maybe we just want to listen to the good things and ignore the Commandments. And so, I think we find that Trumpets is this very reminder, that there will undoubtedly come a moment when all we'll have to say, "Christ is King." Now they may not follow and we know their fate. We know their ultimate fate is the lake of fire. But do I allow Christ's authority in my life today? Do I base my actions upon His will? Because, certainly, if I feel overly anxious and I'm worried about things, well, am I really allowing Him to be the prince of peace in my life?

If I'm thinking I'm so smart and wise, am I really getting myself out of the way and letting the wisdom of the king rule my life? If I'm not continually renewing my mind, isn't it a fact I'm allowing some other ruler to take the throne in my life? You see, Trumpets is a reminder to make Him the King of your mind. Is Christ the King of my mind? That means choosing wisely what I allow on the throne of my mind. What is it that takes the seat of authority for me? What's sitting on that throne? If I don't make Him the King of my mind, how can He possibly be the King of my actions? Because my mind is going to rule my actions because when He is the King of my mind, can't help but be the King of our actions. And, of course, Trumpets also reminds us, we have the choice. We have the choice. And the choice is that cumulative sum of all of the choices we make in our life.

And perhaps Trumpets is also a reminder, we could only have one king. It can really truly be just one king, and only you can choose who or what that king is going to be. So, our daily choice is either to accept His kingship or to reject it. Ultimately, if we choose Him to be King, I believe we fulfill Philippians 2:9. Turn over to Philippians 2:9, we might find this as a summary of these points of enthronement of the coronation of the king, that we certainly must acclaim and pledge our allegiance to him. That we must pronounce Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our life. And, certainly, we must be ready to rule and reign with Him. And Philippians 2:9 points to that very fact, about the supremacy of our great King. Philippians 2:9, it says, "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every other name, that the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

And so, let's take this Trumpets declaration to heart, that we can give God the glory and praise Him every single day, not just on the Feast of Trumpets, but every day we recognize Him as the true King in our everyday life. And let's make that choice to crown Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our everyday life.