Scripture: Revelation 19:11-16 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. 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. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 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. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Devotion: We have spent the last 27 days preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus. He came in a meek and mild way. He surprised everyone in how He lived His life. He exalted the humble and humbled the proud. He was gentle and lowly in heart, yet still King over all. He was the Good Shepherd and a great teacher. He ushered in a new commandment to love one another above all. He was not at all what people expected from a king and Savior. He was much humbler that people thought He would be.
He was also much more exalted. He made the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame walk. He turned water into wine. He walked on water. He cast out demons and brought a dead man back to life. This Savior was nothing like the people expected. He was both much more humble and much more exalted. And that is what we have been anticipating and celebrating.
But we are in the second advent now. So, while we take time each year to ready ourselves to celebrate Jesus’ birth, we should also take time to ready our hearts for Jesus’ return. We are waiting for Him to come back. And, according to the Scriptures, He will look much different with His return. That’s not at all to say that His character has changed. He has always been and will always be all of these things. He just reveals different parts of Himself as the story of redemption unfolds.
Revelation 19:11-16 says, “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. 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. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 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. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
This is likely the type of king that people were expecting Jesus to be when He came the first time. But we can recognize and understand our need for both. We need a Savior who lived a perfect life on our behalf. We need an example of what it looks like to show God’s love and mercy to others. We need someone to look to who perfectly embodies both grace and truth. And we also need someone to fight on our behalf. We need someone to win the final battle against Satan. We need someone to lead the charge to do away with sin and evil while ushering in the consummation of Kingdom of God. Jesus is all these things.
So, as we ready our hearts to joyfully celebrate the Word (Jesus) made flesh, let’s also ready our hearts to joyfully celebrate the King and Conqueror who will one day bring about a time of no more sorrow, pain, or tears.
Reflect:
- Have you ever thought about the idea of being in a second advent?
- After taking time this Christmas to prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus, how might you take time to continually prepare your heart for when Jesus comes again?