Last Sunday of Church Year - A Devotion

Devotion for Last Sunday 

Daniel 2:24-49       Revelation 19:1-21

I know that people think the book of Revelation (no, it is not Revelation[S] there is no 's' on the end of it) is difficult to understand. It is indeed apocalyptic language. It is God's Word, penned by the Apostle John when exiled on the island of Patmos. It is a word of comfort to those going through persecution at the hands of the Roman empire. Speculatively, so God inspired it to be written in this manner so that it would get past the Roman censors who would probably have stopped it from getting to the originally intended recipients.

In a nutshell, seriously abbreviated, it was written to give hope to those who are undergoing persecution. It is the same message of hope, seven time, to seven churches. Do not get bogged down in the "what does this mean? Which nation is that speaking of? stuff that many try to get people to focus upon and trying to figure out the "timing" of when these things will take place.

Yes, there will be persecution. Christ has overcome the world, sin, and death. What He has purchased will be given to those for whom it was intended. They will have a glorious place in His kingdom for all eternity.

Let us look ever so briefly at a short passage from today's lesson from Revelation. 

11 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. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 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. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Why a white horse? Purity and holiness! Who is seated upon it? The One who is Faithful and True - Jesus! 

It is He who judges and wages war. (On the cross) He is crowned with many crowns - just to name two of them, 'crown of thorns' crown of righteousness. 

What is His name that only He knows? Only He knows it... give it time, it will be revealed on the last day. He is however called, The Word of God, that is, the 2nd Person of the Trinity, who was made flesh, God's Christ, named Jesus. 

His robe is dipped in blood, on the cross. It is why in another place we hear of those "who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." It is speaking of the wedding garment that grants admission to, and a place at the table, for the eternal wedding banquet of the Lamb. These are the "armies which are in heaven, clothe in fine linen, white and clean, following Him on white horses.

That sharp sword which comes from His mouth is the Word of God, either you abide and live in it, or you are struck down. Those of faith live in it, abiding in it, hearing it's call to repentance (one edge) and clinging to the Word of forgiveness it delivers (the other edge), and receiving eternal life.

This One, this Jesus, God's Christ, is the One who treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, His blood flows as He treads sinfulness under His feet upon the cross, filling the cup of salvation which is delivered at the Table He sets for His people.

Let us rejoice in this glorious message of hope and comfort. He who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords has accomplished all for us, and promises to deliver it to us. There is peace which surpasses all understanding. Amen.