God Promises the King Will Enter His City

Psalm 24:7-10 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty - he is the King of glory.
 
THE first half of Psalm 24 expressed God’s promise that pure hearts lead to a personal relationship with God.   
   God’s message here is to Jerusalem at David’s time and for the future time of his final coming. Through David, the LORD urged Jerusalem to be ready to spiritually welcome the King of glory into the city. Be ready to welcome the ark of the covenant as it is taken to the temple mount. Be prepared to welcome his sovereign authority. Stop to rejoice God has chosen Israel to be his people, and he has claimed Jerusalem as his own.
   King of glory also means Lord of hosts, a term used about 100 times in Scripture to worship God is sovereign. Hosts can refer to armies, the stars, the angels, the nation of Israel or all believers who belong to Christ. David exhorts Jerusalem to lift up its gates, to open them wide, so the people will joyously welcome the King of glory. The language compares to having one’s arms wide open to welcome a long-awaited loved one into your home.
   This psalm became a regular prayer of expectation and hope during morning prayers. Many years later on what we know as Palm Sunday, faithful, expectant Jews sang this song that morning at the temple. But when Jesus entered the city, few noticed. Yes, his followers made a parade, but who throughout the busy city took notice of the rabbi from Nazareth? By week’s end God’s city killed the King of glory.
   But now we can truly call Jesus the King of glory! He is not dead. He’s alive! He has entered heaven’s gates to sit at the Father’s right hand. He is the King of Kings and LORD of Lords. He is the Lord of armies prepared to conquer death and establish a new heaven and earth.
   Who is the king of glory? He is Jesus, prepared to enter the world in glory to establish his throne forever. There will be no doubt when he comes again. Jerusalem’s gates will, indeed, be wide open.
   Has the King of glory entered your home? Do you set your mind on his sovereign rule over your life? Do you recognize Jesus is king of your heart, ruler of your thoughts, savior of your soul? Are your arms wide open to welcome him in the morning? Do you know his presence all day long?    
   If someone asked, “Who is the King of glory?” would you say, “He is Jesus Christ, Son of God. He is my King of glory. He has made me his own. My wide open arms welcome him with gladness and joy. I worship him.”
 
Revelation 15:4 “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you,  for your righteous acts have been revealed.”