JUDGE AND EXECUTIONER
Opening Prayer
“As the deer pants for water, so my heart thirsts for you” (Psa. 42:12). Thank you Lord for your refreshing Word.
Read REVELATION 19:11-21
The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
king of kings and lord of lords.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
Footnotes
- Revelation 19:15 Psalm 2:9
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What comfort is there in knowing that Jesus Christ is judge of all?Images and metaphors from Old Testament apocalyptic texts and Jesus’ words to the churches (Revelation 2,3) are mixed and layered, like an oil painting, to create this symbolic description of Jesus Christ, the Word of God (see also John 1).
The white horse (the sign of a ruler, v 11), the many crowns (v 12) and the two names (v 16) declare Jesus’ authority over all people. Verse 11 describes the kind of a ruler he is (see also 3:14). His blazing eyes (1:14; 2:18) symbolize both holiness and his penetrating insight into every human heart. The ‘robe dipped in blood’ and ‘treading the winepress’ refer to his role in executing judgment (see Isaiah 63:1–6). In total, we are to understand that Christ (v 13; John 1) is God’s appointed judge and executioner (v 11). Only those who follow Jesus escape his wrath (v 14).
The graphic flesh-eating image from Ezekiel’s apocalyptic writing is meant to reassure us (vs 17,18,21; see also Ezekiel 39:17–20)! It depicts God’s total defeat of the forces gathered in opposition to Christ and his people (v 19,20).
Did you notice there is only one weapon in Christ’s army (vs 15,21)? How might this be a comfort in times of trial?
Apply
‘Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account’ (Hebrews 4:13). In the light of this verse, what do you want, or need, to say to the Lord?
Closing prayer
Mighty God, I am reminded that in the battle with sin and Satan, I fight from victory not for victory. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for winning the battle at the cross.
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