“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.” — Matthew 25:31

The final scene of the human drama does not feature a humble carpenter in a stable or a suffering servant on a cross, but a Sovereign conqueror sitting upon a throne of blinding light. The “Son of Man” who once had no place to lay His head will have the entire cosmos as His footstool. He returns not to be judged by the world, but to judge the world in righteousness, surrounded by an angelic host that makes the stars seem like dim sparks. This is the Great Summation—the moment when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that the Lamb who was slain is the Lion who reigns.

Looking forward to this glorious return provides the ultimate context for our current struggles. We realize that the injustices of the present are temporary and that the “thrones” of this world are made of sand. Our King is coming to set all things right, to heal the broken, and to reign in a peace that will have no end. We find our ultimate hope and our final home in the coming majesty of Jesus.

Prayer: King of Kings, I worship You as the Sovereign Lord who is making all things new and right. I thank You that the story of this world does not end in chaos, but in the brilliant light of Your glorious throne. Help me to live every day as a loyal citizen of Your coming Kingdom, reflecting Your justice and Your love to everyone I meet. I set my gaze upon the horizon and I wait with joy for the return of Jesus. Amen.