The Lion and the Lamb: A Guide to the Book of Revelationਨਮੂਨਾ

Victory and Justice

As we talked about yesterday, John wrote Revelation to a group of churches, encouraging them to be faithful to Jesus in the midst of persecution. But it got worse before it got better, and that’s what the last several chapters describe in detail—how the dragon and his beasts deceive many and build an evil empire of greed, injustice, and idolatry. The devil’s purpose to lead the world astray seems to be succeeding …

But, that’s not the end of the story.

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. Revelation 19:11-13 NIV

The Word of God, the One called Faithful and True, is coming with justice to wage war against all that is wrong. This description of Jesus continues:

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. Revelation 19:14-16 NIV

Consistent with John’s writing in this book, this description is full of symbols—white horses, fine linen, iron scepters, and a winepress of fury. What’s the point of it all? Remember, Jesus is the focus of the Book of Revelation. Specifically, Jesus’ identity as the Savior King, and Son of God, and His authority as the Ruler of the Universe and as the Victor over sin, death, and the devil.

We’ve arrived at the climax of this revelation of Jesus. Evil has been running rampant in the world, and immense suffering has taken place. But, a Rider with fire in His eyes is coming on a white horse. Jesus is coming again, and He’s coming in power. He’s coming ready for battle. He’s coming as the conquering King. And what will He do?

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. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. … The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse … Revelation 19:19-21 NIV

When Jesus comes to set things right, it won’t be a fight. It won’t be a great struggle where Jesus barely scrapes by with the win. No, it will be swift and undeniable. Jesus ends the war with a word, the breath of His mouth. That power is hard to comprehend, and that authority demands a response.

What will our response be? Will we, like the author John, dedicate our entire lives to going where Jesus goes, doing what He does, trusting what He says, and loving how He loves? Will we, like the heroes of our faith, be determined to suffer well? To do the right thing when it’d be easier not to? Will we, like the early church, cling to hope when things are dark and follow Jesus no matter what’s happening in our world?

Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

This is the hope of the Book of Revelation—that a righteous King is coming to end evil and set things right. This is why New Testament authors often say things like:

• So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT
• For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV
• Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:3 NIV
• Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 NIV

Are you catching the theme? Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Stay faithful. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Persevere. Fight to the finish.

The biblical authors, including John, are clear: It’s a fight to stay faithful to Jesus when all hell is unleashed on us. But it’s possible to persevere. And not only is it possible, it’s worth it. Because He’s worth it.

Jesus is worth staying faithful to.

There’s never been a King like Him before—One who had everything and became nothing. One who humbled Himself to the point of being killed by His own creation. One who didn’t send His subjects to fight and die for Him, but who went to fight and die for us. One who walked out of His own grave, leaving death in the dust.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

Jesus is Lord. He is good and faithful through and through. He is coming to set the world right—to judge the living and the dead.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:12 NIV

Judgment is coming, but when the King is good and we are submitted to Him, His judgment brings life and allows for flourishing.

Lots of people are terrified of this moment. They’ve heard all sorts of stuff about a movie of your life being played for the whole world to see you at your very worst. That’s just silly. From the beginning of the human story, God has been about the work of covering our shame, not causing it. This is very different from final judgment moments in other major religions. There’s no giant scale where your good deeds and bad deeds are weighed against each other. There’s no “Hey, you didn’t get it right this time, go back and try again!” There’s the Lamb of God and His Book of Life.

And there’s your name.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus spoke about this moment:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.” John 5:24-27 NIV

Want to cross over from death to life? Hear, listen, and respond to the words of Jesus. Throw all your eggs in the basket of Jesus being exactly who He said He was and doing exactly what He said He’d do.

Who is Jesus? He is a just Judge and a righteous King, and He’s coming to set the world right. He will judge the living and the dead. But take heart, because when the King is good, His judgment brings life and allows for flourishing.

Our Father, thank You that You are good and true, through and through. You finish what You start, and I believe You’ve started a good work in me and in the world around me through Jesus. Help me persevere, stay true, and stand strong as Your follower. May my life be a beacon of hope for others, and may I never get over the joy of my name being in Jesus’ Book of Life! In Jesus’ name, amen.