A sword, a scepter and treading out the wrath
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (Revelation 19:15–ESV)
There are so many aspects of the visage of Christ here. There is mysterious manner of a sword coming from a mouth which is one I can understand intellectually, but have a difficulty imagining. It fits with the words mentioned about about the spoken truth lancing through the false lives arrayed against him. The falsity arrayed against him will be the kings of the earth, the nations assembled to make war against the coming Christ.
In Psalm 2 David spoke prophetically about Jesus ruling the nations with an iron scepter and here this is brought again to mind by the visions of John.
God Almighty is spoken of as being wrathful against ungodliness and unrighteousness. Treading out the grapes until their juices flow is a common analogy of destruction in the scriptures. The fury of God’s wrath having at long last been brought to maturity it will cut and burn, tread and spill the blood of all mankind.
A final name or names
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:16–ESV)
If you want to think in terms of supreme commander go beyond the battlefields of earth. Think, imagine away from history and unto the the future where Jesus returns. Marked on his clothes are titles held only by one now and forevermore. I want to be array behind this commander. Confidence of confidences will accrue to those who are willing to say yes to the one who said yes to his Father.
Think of sports. Who would not feel confident taking the court with Lebron James? Or think of the NFL and the Patriots. Is not Tom Brady’s staying power and winning prowess reason for confidence? What about a Tom Glavine or Greg Maddux? Take your pick of a hero. The confidence one might have in such endeavors as they excelled at will be but the tiniest drop of comparison to what will be known when heaven is opened and Christ is shown ready to ride.
“Oh, there he is moment”
Let us think about how he will be recognized when standing in the opened gates of heaven.
- Those on earth will see this from enmity
- Those behind Jesus will see this from allegiance
- Those behind Jesus see Faithful and True and admire, mimic, follow
- On earth they see Faithful and hate and go on to despise Truth
These are not imaginary things. They must be imagined by the eyes of faith and scripture study, but they are not imaginary. A time will come when one is seeing Jesus from a point of enmity or from a point of allegiance. When heaven is opened and Jesus arrays himself against the armies of the earth it will be too late to shift. Before that moment allegiance or enmity will have been long decided. Today is the day of salvation. To delay acceptance of Jesus as Savior is to toy with the most dangerous of decisions. The first thing that every single person needs to address is their own death. Where will they be? Eventually we will all have a “Oh, there he is moment.” Will you be ready?
Look at the seven names of Jesus from this passage
- Rider on a white horse
- Faithful
- Truth
- Name he alone knows
- Word of God
- King of kings
- Lord of lords
This is not a comprehensive list, nor even the list we generally think of when we ponder the names of God. There is enough here though that this whole lesson is really summarized. Perhaps take the word-image to heart and let it lodge there. It can remain in your heart and keep you stayed on thoughts of him.
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