John Newton: The King of Kings is our Friend

18th Century minister John Newton, the former slave trader, author of Cardiphonia, deeply thought about the Christian's future. In exposition of Revelation 19:16, "On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords," Newton compared the Christian's earthly dishonor to the coming glory guaranteed by Christ who is King of kings and the Christian's friend.

"How great is the dignity and privilege of true believers! Is the man congratulated or envied whom the king delights to honor? Believers are more frequently despised than envied in this world. But they may congratulate one another. The King of kings is their Friend. They have honors and pleasures which the world knows nothing of. Their titles are high, they are the "sons and the daughters of the Lord Almighty," (II Corinthians 6:18). Their possessions are great, for "all things are theirs" (I Corinthians 3:21). They are assured of what is best for them in this life, and of life eternal hereafter. They are now nearly related to the King of kings, and shall ere long be acknowledged and owned by him, before assembled worlds. They who now account the proud happy, will be astonished and confounded when they shall see the righteous, whom they once undervalued, 'shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of God.'"