On January 28, 1990, John Elway lowered his head in defeat as the San Francisco 49ers tied one other NFL team in winning four Super Bowls. The Niners, who during that season had easily become my favorite team in pro football, fully dominated the game from start to finish without offering much room to breath for Elway's Broncos. This was a sweet taste of victory for a group that had spent most of the 1980s developing themselves as a rising dynasty in football. From Pittsburgh to Dallas and now in New England, the National Football League has seen each decade house a prominent group of men who everyone else wanted to beat.

Politics and world history have seen a similar rise and fall from age to age. The Roman Empire is often referred to as a dynasty. Likewise, the Persian or Greek Empires before Rome gained equal reputations. Also known as Kingdoms or Empires, these dynasties are what they are because they are seen as the final authority among the known world. Even if the king or queen dies, their title is passed on and the throne still holds as much power as before. Thus, a dynasty is the primary and sole power above all other authorities.

"And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship," Acts 8:27

Students familiar with the above passage may recall that this is the "Ethiopian Eunuch" whom Philip instructs in the Word of God. His authority comes from the Greek word, dunastes, from which we have dynasty. This man held great authority under the Queen of Ethiopia. But as we can see, his dynasty comes from someone other than himself.

"I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep [this] commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall show, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;" I Timothy 6:13-15

Our earlier observation regarding "only" comes into play as we discover "Potentate" is also from dunastes. Hence, this phrase is read as monos dunastes, or, "the only dynasty."

To be more plain-spoken, a potentate is one who comes not only with the authority of the king, but as though he were the king himself. His authority is a given expectation among those who receive him because they accept that if he comes in, they have invited the king into their home or community. When God declares Himself the "only Potentate," He is declaring Himself as the only one with authority.

"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;" II Timothy 4:17a

This is built from the same root as we find for dunastes. Rather than dealing with authority itself, "strengthened" is endynamoo, which stems from dynamoo, meaning "to make strong." More than likely, you see a very close connection between dynamoo and the more familiar "dynamite" as found in English. You're certainly not barking up the wrong tree to begin noticing how similar the language is in many cases. Anyone who uses dynamite knows the strength that comes with it during an explosion. In II Timothy 4, Paul was in great need of strength when all human companions left him by the wayside. The Lord stood with him and gave him strength as only a potentate, or rather, the "only Potentate" has the authority to do.

Beyond the authority and beyond the strength lies an even more recognizable feature with this only Potentate. In addition to authority and strength, the Potentate brings power. Dynamis points to a working force that is inseparable from the one who holds it.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God (dynamis) unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (dynamis)." I Corinthians 1:18

"But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, (dynamis) and the wisdom of God." I Corinthians 1:24

"Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (dynamis)." I Corinthians 2:5

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God (dynamis), and not of us." II Corinthians 4:7

"By the word of truth, by the power of God (dynamis), by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left," II Corinthians 6:7

"And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power (dynamis) to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power (dynamis)," Ephesians 1:19

"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God (dynamis);" II Timothy 1:8

The only way for this dynamite power to end would be for the holder of such power to face corruption. In other words, if God's power does not exist today, then He Himself must also no longer exist. That last line might strike a chord with some for a variety of reasons. Keep in mind that we are not dealing with "how" or "in what way" he does or does not display that power. We are simply acknowledging that God's power is eternal and is not on vacation during the age of grace. God had power yesterday, He has it today, and He will have it forevermore.

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8

For just one brief moment before we continue, it's important to pause and evaluate an important question regarding this present age. Has His power come to an end since we now have the Word of God? The answer is found in something you may have overlooked.

"Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." I Corinthians 13:8-10

Those things that will come to an end are gifts given to men. If men have the gift of prophecy, that will fail. If men have the gift of tongues, they shall cease. If men have the gift of supernatural knowledge, it shall vanish away. But God, who is and shall be, does not cease to remain the same. His power remains because it is part of His makeup.

Often times, in our grace assemblies and our congregations of fellowship, the academics of understanding our place in the grand scheme lead us to perceive a silent God who no longer cares, no longer pays attention, and no longer has power. I don't encourage any reader to test the King Eternal on what He cares about, what He watches, or how much power He has. You may reasonably evaluate your own place in the big picture, but for now, step back and keep in mind He who is above all.

Our study will lead us to address some of these issues more closely, but right now there is nothing more pressing than to comprehend God in all His power. Remember, this is not about you. This is about taking a look at He who is greater than us all. His dynasty has had, does have, and will always have authority, strength, and power.