Lord of Heaven's Armies
Opening Prayer
Lord of hosts, You ride out to establish justice and to make all things right.
Read Revelation 19:11-21
[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.” 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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the nature of the sword Jesus uses? The scene changes once more. The bridegroom is now riding a white horse (not entirely uncommon in Eastern weddings). This rider should not be confused with a different figure also on a white horse in chapter 6 verse 2, a counterfeit who does not carry the nature of Christ, but rather is “bent on conquest.” It is better to see links with chapter 1, noting the similarity in the items carried by the rider of chapter 19 with the description of Christ.If we are troubled by the violent actions attributed to Jesus, let us remember that he has given everything to offer redemption. These are those who see and know and willingly reject the Lamb. Jesus offered himself as the sacrificial Lamb, but those who reject that sacrifice will meet him as the Lion. This is not God’s desire (Ezek. 18:23); it is ultimately the choice of those who stand and resist the King of kings and Lord of lords. The violence of the cross demonstrates the severity of God’s hatred of sin. If we are to be troubled by violence against sin, it should be there where it was poured out upon the innocent for the sake of the guilty rather than against those to whom it is the just response.The scene changes once more. The bridegroom is now riding a white horse (not entirely uncommon in Eastern weddings). This rider should not be confused with a different figure also on a white horse in chapter 6 verse 2, a counterfeit who does not carry the nature of Christ, but rather is “bent on conquest.” It is better to see links with chapter 1, noting the similarity in the items carried by the rider of chapter 19 with the description of Christ.
If we are troubled by the violent actions attributed to Jesus, let us remember that he has given everything to offer redemption. These are those who see and know and willingly reject the Lamb. Jesus offered himself as the sacrificial Lamb, but those who reject that sacrifice will meet him as the Lion. This is not God’s desire (Ezek. 18:23); it is ultimately the choice of those who stand and resist the King of kings and Lord of lords. The violence of the cross demonstrates the severity of God’s hatred of sin. If we are to be troubled by violence against sin, it should be there where it was poured out upon the innocent for the sake of the guilty rather than against those to whom it is the just response.
Apply
Go through the passage again, highlighting the titles given to Jesus. Give thanks for the meaning of each one.
Closing prayer
Lamb of God, I take refuge in You. Lion of God, I honor You as righteous and just in Your judgments.
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