Friday Devo
Scripture:
Revelation 19
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Commentary:
19:11 The rider of the white horse is already victorious, and white is the color of victory (see note on 2:17). The rider’s titles, Faithful and True, identify him as Jesus, the faithful and true witness (1:5; 3:14).
19:12–16 The horse’s rider (v. 11) is the Son of Man, with eyes … like a flame of fire and a sharp sword, whom John saw on the Lord’s Day (see notes on 1:14; 1:16). His many diadems (crowns signifying royalty) show his supremacy as King of kings and Lord of lords. Although he is named the Word of God as the greatest revelation of the Father (John 1:1, 14; Heb. 1:1–2), he also has a name written that no one knows but himself, since the infinite being of the Son of God can never be fully known (on “name,” see note on John 1:12–13). Divine mystery veils part of the nature of the Son in whom God speaks most fully (Luke 10:22).
19:14 Fine linen, white and pure, identifies the armies of heaven as the bride of the Lamb (v. 8; 6:11; 7:14). They ride white horses, sharing his victory (see note on 2:17; also 12:11; 15:2).
19:15 Jesus is the Messiah who will rule the nations with a rod of iron (see note on 12:5; also Ps. 2:9), judging justly and striking down the wicked. As the Divine Warrior who treads the winepress of God’s wrath, his robe is dipped in his foes’ blood (cf. Isa. 63:1–6).
19:12–16 The horse’s rider (v. 11) is the Son of Man, with eyes … like a flame of fire and a sharp sword, whom John saw on the Lord’s Day (see notes on 1:14; 1:16). His many diadems (crowns signifying royalty) show his supremacy as King of kings and Lord of lords. Although he is named the Word of God as the greatest revelation of the Father (John 1:1, 14; Heb. 1:1–2), he also has a name written that no one knows but himself, since the infinite being of the Son of God can never be fully known (on “name,” see note on John 1:12–13). Divine mystery veils part of the nature of the Son in whom God speaks most fully (Luke 10:22).
19:14 Fine linen, white and pure, identifies the armies of heaven as the bride of the Lamb (v. 8; 6:11; 7:14). They ride white horses, sharing his victory (see note on 2:17; also 12:11; 15:2).
19:15 Jesus is the Messiah who will rule the nations with a rod of iron (see note on 12:5; also Ps. 2:9), judging justly and striking down the wicked. As the Divine Warrior who treads the winepress of God’s wrath, his robe is dipped in his foes’ blood (cf. Isa. 63:1–6).
Questions:
- Revelation 19 talks about the return of Christ, when he comes back to judge the world. He will "strike down the nations" and establish His Kingdom on the earth. This is how it all ends! So we must remember that we are CITIZENS of THE Kingdom, not THIS kingdom. Why invest your life and put your hope in something that will become like the chaff of the threshing floor and carried away by the wind? This nation and government will eventually all pass away. In the meantime, we're called to be salt and light. We should influence policy to be more in line with Scripture. We should speak for the oppressed. We should perform ministries of mercy.... all while we preach the Gospel. What is God speaking to you through all this? Are there any priorities, policies or attitudes that might be out of whack? How can you better promote unity among believers?
- Reflect on this quote from Craig Keener: "Commitments to nation, culture, ethnicity, denomination and the like may be honorable. But if Christ is truly Lord, then unity with the rest of our family in Christ must come first. Genuinely responding to Jesus’s Lordship means more than acknowledging him as an option or even the best option. Genuinely submitting to his Lordship brings us into solidarity with his other followers, the rest of Christ’s body. If nationalism trumps spiritual unity, then Christ is not our Lord." What is the Lord speaking to you? Is there anything in you that needs realignment?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would learn to live for the Kingdom to come.
- That God would point out anything in you that doesn't please Him.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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