Finale Revelation and Imagination Daily Devotional- 45

REVELATION 19:11-16| ¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. ¹³ He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. ¹⁵ From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Christ the Redeemer is also a Judge. Christ the Servant is also King of kings and Lord of lords. In vivid language the One who is faithful and true, with the unquestioned authority represented by many jeweled crowns, will judge and defeat the forces that have resisted goodness and truth, human and super human. If God is not to be indifferent to suffering, tyranny, and idolatrous rebellion, He must fight evil. Salvation and grace are devalued and shallow unless we know the reality of sin and brokenness. Evil in and beyond us must be opposed or goodness and grace become simply passivity and acceptance of exploitation and wrong.

Every human judgement is limited. Limited by our lack of understanding, our inherent biases, our historical captivity, our self interest, and our own unrighteousness. Divine judgement is not limited in these ways. The robe of the Judge is not dipped in the blood of His enemies but in His own! His armies need not fight because His word of truth alone rightly carries out its holy purpose.

Do you fear judgement?

Tags: fear, judgement