The Risen Scepter
Serving the Pastors and People of Developing Nations
Start Here: Welcome to The Risen Scepter - Bishop Gary Earls
Welcome, and thank you for being here.
This space has been created with a clear and deliberate purpose: to teach the Word of God faithfully, and to help people come to a right understanding of who He is.
Why a Scepter?
The Promised One
Jacob prophesies over his son Judah that the scepter—the symbol of royal authority—would not depart from his lineage until the One comes to whom it rightfully belongs—a promised King whose authority would be everlasting. That fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
From Judgment to Mercy
This imagery is further illustrated in the ancient Near East, where the scepter also represented access to the king. As seen in the book of Esther, no one could enter the presence of the king uninvited—doing so could cost them their life—unless the king extended his scepter as a sign of acceptance (Esther 4:11; 5:2).
Apart from divine mercy, we have no right to stand before a holy God, yet through Christ, the way has been opened. The King has extended the scepter. In Him, we are invited to draw near—not in fear, but by grace—to the One who rules over all.
From Mocking to Reigning
Before the cross, Jesus stood in profound humiliation before both Jewish and Roman authorities. He was rejected by the Sanhedrin, handed over to the Gentiles, mocked, beaten, and crowned with thorns. In cruel irony, a reed was placed in His hand as a mock scepter, and He was dressed as a false king while soldiers knelt in ridicule (Matt. 27:27–31). Yet what they intended as mockery pointed to a deeper truth. The One they scorned was, in fact, the rightful King. Scripture reveals that this same Jesus now reigns in exaltation, bearing not a fragile reed, but the scepter of iron—the unbreakable symbol of His sovereign authority (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 19:15). The mocked King is the reigning King, and His dominion will never end.
The foundation is God Himself
At the heart of Risen Scepter Ministries International is a conviction that shapes everything we teach and write:
We do not follow God merely because of what He does for us, but because of who He is.
This publication is devoted to biblical teaching that emphasizes:
The majesty of God
The authority and reliability of Scripture
The true nature of humanity as created in His image
The distortion of that image through rebellion
The new humanity — A restored creation — The consummation and the new earth — Brought about through Jesus Christ and the Word of God
This work is pastoral in nature and global in vision.
The mission of Risen Scepter Ministries is drawn from Ephesians 4:11–13: to equip pastors so that they, in turn, may equip the people of God for the work of the ministry. A particular focus is placed on strengthening pastors in developing nations, helping to establish churches on a firm biblical foundation.
When the Word of God is taught clearly and lived out faithfully, lives are changed, families are strengthened, and communities are transformed.
If you are new here, I encourage you to begin with the first article:
“Because of Who He Is”
It lays the foundation for everything that will follow.
My prayer is that as you read, you would grow in the knowledge of God, be strengthened in your faith, and come to reflect more clearly the One who created and redeemed you.
Grace and peace to you in Christ,
Bishop G
Risen Scepter Ministries Int.