On human majesty as a signpost to divine majesty:
There is such a thing as human majesty, and there is such a thing as divine majesty. With C.S. Lewis, I tend to think that earthly majesty was ordained by God primarily in order to bear witness to that ineffable, heavenly majesty that is infinitely above it. In other words, earthly kings and queens certainly have served important governmental purposes in history, but the most important thing about them (at their very best) is that they are frail testimonies to the Majesty above.
Power alone is insufficient for majesty - think Hitler, Stalin, Mao - “no one every accused them of majesty. It takes beauty of personhood and character.”
- Divine Majest and utter humiliation - the greatest glory being the glory of the cross
- Majesty and the right of universal control - God has the moral right to total control of everything. Isaiah 45:9-12. Also, Jeremiah 18:6-8 and Romans 9.
- This authority is the strength of the martyrs
- Quoting William Law:
On the other hand, would you know who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he whoe prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives the most alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God willeth, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness, and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.
References
- Kelly, Systematic Theology - Volume 1, p. 342, 344