AN AMAZING FACT: Henry VIII, the 16th century king of England, is best remembered for his shocking treatment of his many wives. He married Catherine of Aragon in 1509 and had the marriage annulled in 1533. He married Ann Boleyn in 1533 and had her beheaded in 1536. He married Jane Seymour in 1536. She died in childbirth in 1537. He then married Anne of Cleves in 1540 and divorced her that same year. He married Catherine Howard in 1540 and had her beheaded in 1542. Finally, he married Catherine Parr in 1543, and she survived him.
The current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is the fifth longest serving British monarch (54 years). Only four other kings and queens have served longer: Queen Victoria (63 years), King George III (59 years), James VI of Scotland and James I of England (58 years), and King Henry III (56 years). The queen and Duke of Edinburgh have been married for 60 years. They were married on November 20, 1947, in Westminster Abbey. Both the queen and duke are great, great grandchildren of Queen Victoria.
One of the most famous queens in the Bible is Queen Esther. But her story began with one of the most “not so famous” queens, Queen Vashti. King Ahasuerus reigned over Persia from 486 to 465 B.C. On the seventh day of a great feast, the drunken king asked Queen Vashti to appear so that he could show off her beauty. She refused to come. The king was furious at her act of rebellion. She was demoted, and a new queen was sought.
The book of Esther shows us, in interesting ways, elements of the story of salvation. In one sense, Lucifer is cast down (demoted) and Christ (who had a humble birth) is lifted up to a glorious place. It’s like a ‘rags to riches’ story with many reversals. Though many kings and queens have behaved in less than honorable ways, we know from the Bible that the King of Kings will be honored by the entire universe as righteous.
One of the most famous queens in the Bible is Queen Esther. But her story began with one of the most “not so famous” queens, Queen Vashti. King Ahasuerus reigned over Persia from 486 to 465 B.C. On the seventh day of a great feast, the drunken king asked Queen Vashti to appear so that he could show off her beauty. She refused to come. The king was furious at her act of rebellion. She was demoted, and a new queen was sought.
The book of Esther shows us, in interesting ways, elements of the story of salvation. In one sense, Lucifer is cast down (demoted) and Christ (who had a humble birth) is lifted up to a glorious place. It’s like a ‘rags to riches’ story with many reversals. Though many kings and queens have behaved in less than honorable ways, we know from the Bible that the King of Kings will be honored by the entire universe as righteous.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
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. Revelation 15:3