12/29/16 King of Kings

READING: Revelation 17-19

The war is on. The battle continues. Warriors are wounded in the battle. Some flee, never really having joined the troops in the first place. Others win, but they do so by dying. 

Were the scriptural story to end here, we would be left hanging, wondering what the ultimate victory looks like. After many weeks of reading the spiritual warfare story, we would long for more details.  

The last few chapters of the Bible, though, take us on the final lap toward victory. In likely the most dramatic image of today’s reading, Jesus the Son of God enters the battle as the victor who has already won:

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and He judges and makes war in righteousness. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself. He wore a robe stained with blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from His mouth, so that He might strike the nations with it. He will shepherd them with an iron scepter. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev 19:11-16)

Get the picture. It’s Jesus, the judge with fiery eyes and the ruler with crowns on his head. The warrior-judge who is also the warrior-king has arrived. He is here, and yet He is so much more transcendent than His presence shows that He carries a name only He knows. His robe is stained with blood, but that blood is the mark of victory and judgment over His enemies rather than defeat. He is the Word who speaks the Word, and whose word will always come true. He rules with an iron rod, and He tramples on the nations in judgment. So powerful is He that the beast and the false prophet would prove no match for Him; “both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur” (Rev 19:20).

He is, after, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

And, in one of the more amazing truths I know, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords allows sinners like I am to be on the winning side, too.

ACTION STEPS: 

  • Meditate intentionally on the picture of Jesus in Revelation 19. Pray to Him in response.
  • If you know the words to “I Stand Amazed in the Presence” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysUhvqzKsyQ), sing this hymn throughout the day.   

PRAYER: “Jesus, You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is no one like You. I praise You.” 

TOMORROW’S READING: Revelation 20-22

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