Revelation Ch 19

Transcript

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Today is July 30th, and today's passage comes from Revelation chapter 19, verses 11 through 21. Now, John now sees a climactic vision of Christ's return as the victorious king and judge of the Christ's return. Verse 11. In righteousness, he judges and makes war. Christ appears as a warrior king riding a white horse with eyes like a flame of fire and many crowns on his head. Verse 12. His image is not to be confused with the one of the four horsemen in chapter six. I will post a separate meditation comparing the two later. Now let's go back. Here the Christ is called the Word of God, verse thirteen, and from his mouth comes a sharp sword with which he will strike down the nations. The armies of heaven follow him, clothed in fine linen, white and pure, verse fourteen. On his robe and thigh is written the name King of Kings and Lord of Lords, verse sixteen. An angel summons the birds of the air together for the great supper of God to feast on the flesh of kings, captains, and mighty men. The image is quite symbolic. There are those who rebelled against God. Verse 17. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, come together, come gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great. Here the beast and the false prophet gather their armies to fight against Christ, but they are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire. The rest are slain, and the birds gorge on their flesh. The graphic scene emphasizes the finality of Christ's judgment and the absolute futility of resisting him. Let's uh dig deeper into the passage. Who is God? God is the victorious king and righteous judge. Jesus, the word of God, is revealed not only as Savior, but also as the one who brings justice, conquering evil fully and finally. His judgment is perfectly righteous, verse eleven. And his reign is absolute, verse 16. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is also the covenant-keeping God, the one who shed his blood as the Lamb, verse 13, now returns as the warrior king, showing that salvation and judgment are those size of his redemptive mission. What is our guilt? Our guilt lies in our complacency toward Christ's return. We often live as though history will continue indefinitely, ignoring that one day Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. We are also guilty of resisting Christ's reign in our own lives, like the kings and armies who oppose him in verse 19. We may profess Christ outwardly with our words, but still cling to areas of life where we refuse to submit to his authority. Furthermore, we minimize sin, forgetting that those who stand opposed to Christ will face his judgment. And we prefer to think of Christ as just gentle and meek all the time. Ignoring that, he is also the conquering and furious king who demands full obedience and allegiance. And in this passage also, grace shines. Grace shines in the identity of the returning king. The same Jesus who judges the nations is faithful and true. Verse 11. He has already borne judgment for his people. Those who belong to him will not face his sword, for he was pierced for their transgressions. Grace also shines in the victory of Christ on behalf of his people. Believers are pictured as part of his heavenly army. Yet they do not fight. Christ alone wins the battle. His triumph secures the ultimate salvation of his church. Hallelujah. Finally, grace shines in the assurance that evil will not have the last word. The beast and the false prophet are destroyed forever. This is good news, great news. Justice is done, and God's people will dwell in a new world free from sin and death. Let us pray. Faithful and true God, we praise you as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are the righteous judge who will return in power and glory to conquer all evil. Forgive us for living as though your return is far from or far off or irrelevant. Forgive us for resisting your reign in parts of our lives and for fearing the world more than we fear you. Thank you that you have already borne judgment for us. And thank you that your victory is certain and final. Strengthen us to live with hope, courage, and loyalty to you, awaiting the day when you will make all things right. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.