What an interesting question!  Let’s see what the Bible says about that.  In the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (the Gospels) the Lord Jesus is referred to as the King of the Jews a total of 17 times.  He is not called that outside of these four books. 

The Apostle Paul refers to the Lord as king in only one place.  In 1 Timothy 1:17 he writes, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”  In one place, Paul refers to the Lord as King of kings and Lord of lords. “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. (1 Timothy 6:15).

The Apostle John refers to the Lord as king of saints in Revelation 15:3, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”  In two places, he refers to the Lord as King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 17:14 and 19:16). 

Jesus as KING OF KINGS speaks of His absolute authority over all rulers on the earth.  This title speaks of the Lord as someone who has the power to exercise absolute dominion over all His realm…all His creation. There is no power greater than His, and no power against Him can withstand Him. 

In reference to Christ’s great position, bestowed upon Him by God, we read in Ephesians 1:20-23, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

Notice that this King of kings is referred to as “HEAD over all things to the church.”  We also read in Ephesians 5:23 that “…Christ is the HEAD of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”  We read in Colossians 1:18 that Christ “…is the HEAD of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”  The allocation of king over the church is not found in scriptures.  He is the head of the church! 

It is plain that the Lord is king over the nation of Israel.  Since the day of Pentecost God has been working through the church. The NATION of Israel has been temporarily set aside. The church is NOT a nation.  The church is a separated people of God.  The church occupies a far higher place than Israel. We read of the church in Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; HEIRS OF GOD, and JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Today we have “Kingdom Theology” being taught and many in the charismatic churches believe they are setting up the kingdom of God on earth in preparation for the King to return. Many songs are kingdom centered instead of Christ centered, and they expect a world-wide revival to usher in the kingdom of God on earth whereas the Bible teaches this age will end in apostasy. We are to exalt Christ, not the kingdom.

As the church, we do well to refer to the Lord Jesus as Head, as master, as Lord…for indeed He is.  (CC)  (645.4)