Slices
Prepare
What comfort is there in knowing that Jesus Christ is judge of all?
Bible passage
The heavenly warrior defeats the beast
11 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. 12 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. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron sceptre.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
king of kings and lord of lords.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in mid-air, ‘Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.’
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
Explore
Images and metaphors from Old Testament apocalyptic texts and Jesus’ words to the churches (Revelation 2,3) are mixed and layered, like an oil painting, to create this symbolic description of Jesus Christ, the Word of God (see also John 1).
The white horse (the sign of a ruler, v 11), the many crowns (v 12) and the two names (v 16) declare Jesus’ authority over all people. Verse 11 describes the kind of a ruler he is (see also 3:14). His blazing eyes (1:14; 2:18) symbolise both holiness and his penetrating insight into every human heart. The ‘robe dipped in blood’ and ‘treading the winepress’ refer to his role in executing judgement (see Isaiah 63:1–6). In total, we are to understand that Christ (v 13; John 1) is God’s appointed judge and executioner (v 11). Only those who follow Jesus escape his wrath (v 14).
The graphic flesh-eating image from Ezekiel’s apocalyptic writing is meant to reassure us (vs 17,18,21; see also Ezekiel 39:17–20)! It depicts God’s total defeat of the forces gathered in opposition to Christ and his people (v 19).
Did you notice there is only one weapon in Christ’s army (vs 15,21)? How might this be a comfort in times of trial?
Respond
‘Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account’ (Hebrews 4:13). In the light of this verse, what do you want, or need, to say to the Lord?
Deeper Bible study
... thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’1 Praise God that he has already conquered in Jesus.
This is the beginning of a significant new section (the chapter divisions are misleading), marked by the unique phrase ‘I saw heaven standing open’ (v 1). Earlier, John went through an open door;2 now heaven itself is opened and is finally united with the earth. This is what we long for when we pray ‘Your kingdom come … on earth as in heaven’. Revelation is a sequence of visions, rather than a vision of a sequence of events, so there is no need to read an end-times chronology here. Rather, we have seven unnumbered visions, each beginning ‘I saw’.3 These visions don’t point to different stages of Jesus’ return, but to different aspects of what it means.
In the first vision, Jesus is contrasted sharply with the first horseman in chapter 6. Rather than conquering for gain, by might, Jesus comes as ‘king of kings and lord of lords’ (see v 16) by right, the one who is entitled to rule since he shares the throne of God. His weapon is not an actual sword, but the sword from his mouth, which is the word of God’s truth. He comes to rule with justice and righteousness.
In the second vision we have the bizarre image of birds gorging on flesh (vs 18,21), which makes no sense (not least because the kings who are consumed reappear in the new Jerusalem4) until we realise that this language comes from Ezekiel 39:17, where it is a picture of God liberating his people from all oppression. In the third vision, there is a battle – which isn’t a battle! There is no description of struggle, because the victory was already won on the cross.5 Now, not only is evil defeated, but its origins (the beast and the false prophet) are destroyed.
Think of an area of your life where you are aware of struggle and conflict. How might you see that differently knowing that Jesus has already won the victory?
1 1 Cor 15:57 2 Rev 4:1,2 3 Rev 19:11,17,19; 20:1,4,11; 21:1 4 Rev 21:24 5 Rev 12:10
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Kings 14,15; 1 Corinthians 15
Pray for Scripture Union
Reflecting on Ephesians 3:20, let us give thanks to God for faithfully providing for the work of Scripture Union. Please pray for continued provision this year for all Scripture Union’s financial and other needs.
