the Word of God // week twenty-six

Today we closed our Bibles on the last page of Revelation - on the glorious end to the incredible story, the greatest story ever told.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

- Revelation 19:11-16

This is one of my favorite passages in the whole Bible, one that I open to again and again when I need my perspective shifted from what is dead and earthly to what is living and forever. I love what it tells me about my Lord and who He is.

In the space of six verses, He has four names -

He is called Faithful and True; He's worthy of my complete trust.
He has a name that only He knows; He is beyond all comprehension.
He is The Word of God; He perfectly embodies the Truth, and acts as God's incarnate message to humanity - "This is who I AM."
And written into His very body is the title, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is no higher authority in heaven or on earth.

He came once as a helpless human baby. This time He comes as a conqueror, astride a conqueror's steed; as royalty, ruler, and soldier, the Lord of Hosts.

He came once to bring the Word as the source of life. This time He carries it as a sword that can put whole nations to death. "In righteousness He judges and wages war" (verse 11).

He came once as the pure and spotless Lamb of God. This time, there is blood on His robe - a reminder that the Lamb was slain on behalf of the armies that follow Him.

This is The Word of God.

It's not a dusty old book, a collection of ancient myths, or even a textbook on godly living.

It is the living message of God to both the physical and spiritual worlds, the breathing story of who He is and what He has done. It is the slain Lamb and the great Lion, the Messiah who is both God and man, the gracious Redeemer and the righteous Judge.

The Word is alive, and He is offering us so much grace time to choose to obey Him. But when He comes again, He comes with a sword.

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star."
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. . . .
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:16-17, 20