Harry Martinez, a resident of Albany, is a retired minister who served a nondenominational congregation in Florida. His weekly column appears in several South Georgia newspapers.

Throughout ancient history, kings victorious in battle have returned amidst great celebration. Sadly, their so-called trophies of victory were captured peoples either doomed to slavery or execution.

The Holy Scriptures can be viewed in light of Christ’s first appearance as Savior and then His return again as the conquering King. The Old Testament reveals God’s redemptive plan to bring the Savior into the world, a Messiah [Deliverer] who would redeem and restore man’s relationship with God. The New Testament describes the fulfillment of that Plan, mandates for Christians to live the Christ-centered life, and the return of the Savior-King to reign over the entire world.

To accomplish His Plan, God brought into existence the Jewish race through whom Jesus Christ would come into the world. The Apostle John wrote of His appearing … “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:10-11 NIV). God, all knowing, had the Psalmist write … “I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay” (Ps 16:8-10 NIV). David had prophesied the death and resurrection of the Holy One [Jesus Christ] one thousand years before it occurred.

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered his words” (Luke 24:1-8 NIV). Thus, God’s plan to offer salvation to anyone who would place their faith in the risen Christ was accomplished. But there was more to come in God’s Plan. Previously unmentioned in the Old Testament Scriptures, the apostles of Jesus wrote how God established the Church to fill the time period between Israel’s rejection of her Messiah and then her acceptance of Him at His return. The Church was a mystery withheld from both angels and the prophets of God. However, the promise of One who would rule on the throne of David forever had yet to be fulfilled. “‘He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation” (2 Sam 7:13-17 NIV).

John describes the future return of the risen Savior as the victorious King. “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” Rev 19:11,16 NIV).