I will bow before my Maker

In Campus Crusades several weeks ago, a speaker came to talk about the end times.  While doing so, he made many comparisons between the Lord of the Rings and the end times.  For example, the coming of Christ was compared to the coming of the Rohirrim at Helm’s deep.  I am in agreement with this comparison. In the end times when the hope of the saints hangs by a thread, Jesus shall right forth with His legions and rescue His Church from destruction.  There was, however, one comparison of which I was not so fond.  At the end of Return of the King, he compared the crowning of Aragorn to the crowning of Christ.  I really like that.  The idea of my King Jesus being crowned in front of a group of His royal subjects is something that brings me great joy.  When Aragorn sees Arwen and holds the woman who had given up all she had to be with her Groom-King.  I really like that.  The idea of meeting my Groom-King and giving up my life to be with Him is pretty cool (Although ours will be an eternal kingdom and not a temporal one like that of Aragorn).  Next, Aragorn comes to the hobbits.  This was the comparison that was made by the speaker.  Pretty good I think, not quite up to par with the Arwen comparison.  Pretty good as they bow the knee to Aragorn.  I will bow down to my maker as they bowed down to their king.  This comparison falls short though.  Aragorn tells the hobbits, “You bow to know one.” They rise and the rest of the company bows down to them.  I really did not like that.  I never see myself being told such a thing by my Great King.

    The image of perhaps some of the greatest men that will be in heaven.  These are the twenty four elders.  Not idly do they accept their crowns.  In fact they are the one’s who contend that the don’t deserve the rewards that are given to them.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
   for you created all things,
   and by your will they were created
   and have their being.”

Revelations 4:11

I like that.  And the angels will sing.

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!

Revelations 5:11

And all the people will sing.

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

Revelations 5:13

And the saints once again.

Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.

 And the angels once again.

Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!

Revelations  5:12

 You get the picture.  I look forward to kneeling down before my maker.  Attributing all the glory to the King of the Universe is truly the pinnacle of human existence.  To all the humanists, transcendentalists, atheists, secularists, and whoever else might be seeking the chief end of man I say here it is.  As an ambassador of the King of this Universe, I present you with the solution.

Glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

They are synonymous.   John Piper says it this way:

Glorify God by enjoying Him forever.

Same idea.  God is the highest being.  He will never say to me “You bow to no one.” I will bow down to my Maker: the Lord of heaven and earth.