Scripture Daily

Context No. 1014 of 4322 · Revelation

Context · Reflection

Revelation 19:11-16: in context

11I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. 13He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.” 14The armies which are in heaven, clothed in white, pure, fine linen, followed him on white horses. 15Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. 16He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Heaven opens, and John sees a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True, who judges and makes war in righteousness. His eyes are like fire, many crowns are on his head, he wears a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven follow him on white horses, clothed in fine white linen. From his mouth comes a sharp sword to strike the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. On his robe and thigh is written a name: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

This is the same Jesus who rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, now revealed as the rider on the white horse, and the contrast is the whole point. He came the first time humble, to be judged; he comes again as Faithful and True, to judge. Notice the details. His robe is already dipped in blood before the battle begins, which is his own blood, the victory won not by slaughtering his enemies but by his own death, so that he rides out as one who has already conquered. His only weapon is a sword from his mouth, his word, for he conquers by the word of truth and not by ordinary force. And he bears a name no one knows but himself, a reminder that even in this triumphant unveiling he remains beyond our full grasp, while across his robe blazes the name we can read, King of kings and Lord of lords. For a persecuted church tempted to think the beasts and the empires had the last word, this vision is the assurance that the humble crucified one is the rider who returns in triumph, faithful and true, and that every earthly power will finally bow to the King of kings.

Do I live as though the humble, crucified Jesus is also the returning King of kings, faithful and true, before whom every power I fear will finally bow?

Sources