King of Saints, November 30

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!”
      —Revelation 15:3JNN 351.1

God designed that the Prince of sufferers in humanity should be judge of the whole world. He who came from the heavenly courts to save humanity from eternal death; He who men and women despised, rejected, and upon whom they heaped all the contempt of which human beings, inspired by Satan, are capable; He who submitted to be arraigned before an earthly tribunal, and who suffered the ignominious death of the cross—He alone is to pronounce the sentence of reward or of punishment. He who submitted to the suffering and humiliation of the cross here, in the counsel of God is to have the fullest compensation, and ascend the throne acknowledged by all the heavenly universe as the King of saints. He has undertaken the work of salvation, and shown before unfallen worlds and the heavenly family that the work He has begun He is able to complete. It is Christ who gives human beings the grace of repentance; His merits are accepted by the Father in behalf of every soul that will help to compose the family of God.JNN 351.2

In that day of final punishment and reward, both saints and sinners will recognize in Him who was crucified the Judge of all living. Every crown that is given to the saints of the Most High will be bestowed by the hands of Christ—those hands that cruel priests and rulers condemned to be nailed to the cross. He alone can give to men and women the consolation of eternal life.JNN 351.3

A sign in the heavens was given to the wise men of the East who were searching for Christ. To shepherds who were keeping their flocks on the hills of Bethlehem, the angel host appeared. All heaven recognized the advent of Christ. Unseen angels were present in the judgment-hall. When Christ was scourged with the cruel thongs, they could scarcely endure the sight. Angels of heaven were present at His death. The darkness that covered the earth at His crucifixion concealed the company of heaven’s powerful agencies; but the earth quaked beneath the tread of the heavenly throng. The rocks were rent. For three hours the earth was shrouded in impenetrable darkness; nature with her dark robes hid the sufferings of the Son of God.—The Review and Herald, November 22, 1898.JNN 351.4

Further Reflection: What will I say to Jesus when He gives me my crown?JNN 351.5