“…His name is called the Word of God,” “…And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:13,16
When Christ comes again, at what we would call the “second coming,” it will not be on the back of a donkey. Nor will He appear as a mere man, with all the limitations and frailty of human flesh. In the book of Revelation, the vision of Him is quite the opposite. Why? The revelation of God throughout the Scriptures is proportionate and presented to men in order to convey something of the Divine, His nature and His design and purpose for man. When He came that day, long ago, riding into Jerusalem, with crowds showering praise, along with declarations of devotion, Jesus came in such a manner as to reveal to all men that He was making Himself accessible to all, even the lowliest of mankind. He had come to save that which was lost, and His mission was to accomplish for mankind a salvation that would be perfect, immutable, and acceptable to the Father, that men might be saved from the wrath to come, but at the same time, ushered into the very blessed presence of the God of peace, forever. The vision of Christ that day has endured, and remained, as Christ’s invitation to all men to come to Him to be saved, for as He put it: “I am meek and lowly, and you shall find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) However, we are now two thousand years later. That vision is still in tact because of the mercy and grace of God, but there is another vision of Christ that will soon eclipse that of the “meek and lowly” Christ. It is the vision of the victorious, and glorified Christ, coming upon a white horse from heaven. HIs name will be called: “Faithful and True.” He will, at that time, because of what He is in His perfect wisdom and righteousness, come to “judge and make war.” (Rev. 19:11) Having done the most possible to seek and save that which was lost, the patience of God had come to its own term. Instead of grace, judgment would come. When there is no more room, or receptivity to the light, Christ comes to deal with that which opposes Him, and His reign. The question then arises, “If this time is not quite upon us, and the Lord tarries a little longer, why does He give us this vision of Himself?
When Peter, James, and John, went with the Lord Jesus to the mount of transfiguration, where Jesus was transfigured before them, they were overwhelmed by what they saw of His glory. Scripture tells us that, “…His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as light.” (Matt. 17:2) In that revelation given the three disciples, the purpose was two-fold. First, He revealed His glory to increase their faith, and to bring them in their concepts of Him far beyond what they had known. Secondly, in light of the revelation of the greatness and glory of God, the Father’s words came so forcefully clear: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM.” (Matt. 17:5) The great purpose of the vision was to create faith in Christ to such an extent, that the disciples would learn to live to HEAR the words of Christ and to obey them. Those life-giving words were to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, set the captive free, and bring about His kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven.
In the vision of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, in the Revelation, John writes that His name is “the Word of God.” He also says that “…out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations.” (19:15) Herein is the power and might of the living God revealed, by His words. He would declare: “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall NOT return unto Me void.” (Is. 55:11)
Dear Father, Give us the resolute audacity to respond wholeheartedly to Thy words. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad