On January 9, 2019, Sultan Muhammad V, in a rare and unexpected move, abdicated the throne of Malaysia. The word “abdicate” means that someone of their own free will steps down and relinquishes their official power. King Sultan Muhammad V was 49 years old at the time, and although nobody outside the royal family knew for sure, the speculation was that he abdicated because of poor health.
Kings and other ruling potentates may come and go on earth, but there is one great and powerful King who has never changed. Make no mistake: You need to know about Him. “The Lord Most High is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:22For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. (Psalm 47:2)). God is the great King on the throne and He has been and always will be in ultimate control. Against Him there is no successful rising up. His throne is spoken of as a throne of judgment and at other times it is spoken of as a throne of grace. He never abdicates, or steps down from, either the throne of judgment or the throne of grace.
All men who have ever lived will appear before God at the throne of judgment to be judged according to the things they have done in their bodies. “Who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Romans 2:66Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (Romans 2:6)). It may seem that the wicked and those who forsake God may flourish on earth. But that flourishing will be short-lived because after death they will be brought into certain judgment. On earth people might scorn the idea of an almighty God who promises to give sin its due reward. In a day to come, they will be compelled to appear before His throne to receive the dreadful sentence against sin.
Because “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)), we are, or were, all headed to this terrible judgment. The thousands upon thousands of impenitent people who appear before this throne will wish with all their hearts that God would abdicate so that He would not deliver sentence against their evil works, but He will never do this. People who do not repent and come to faith in Christ in this life will never escape the “lake of fire” and the just reward of their deeds in the life to come.
Good News
The good news to mankind is that before that day of judgment arrives, a Savior has come to earth. At the cross, the Lord Jesus suffered so that “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:1515That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15)). He can save all those who come to Him in faith because He is both man and God in the same person. As man He could suffer death. His death has an infinite power to wash away sins. This is good news indeed, because it means the way has been opened so that sinners can be forgiven, cleansed and made suitable for heaven.
Because Christ was lifted up on the cross, God is now said to be seated on a throne of grace. Hebrews 4:1616Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) reads, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Sinners, the world over, may come to the throne of grace when they humble themselves, repent of their sins and receive God’s forgiveness. He will then give them all the help they need to make it home to heaven.
Because God will never abdicate the throne of judgment, our hearts might be filled with dread. Because He will never abdicate the throne of grace, our hearts can be filled with peace and joy.
Will you continue on in your sins until you pass out of this world? Or will you be wise and renounce your sins and come by faith to the Savior?
The choice is yours. But know this for sure, God will never abdicate His throne.
There’s another important application of this concept of abdication. You’ll read about it in King Edward the VIII Abdicates.