We’re discussing the Battle of Armageddon. This devotional reading looks at the weapon used to unleash God’s wrath.
Nuggets
- Jesus rules, in part because of His sharp sword.
- Jesus, being the Son of God and to whom He has given all authority, is ruler of all.
- God’s wrath will be unleashed.
- Jesus’ authority will be on full display.
When I first looked at these verses, I thought they were disjointed. Maybe that is because of how I look at phrases at a time.
But when I look back at it, it is about weaponry and why the weapon is needed. Let’s jump in.
Let's Put It into Context
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Devotions in the Homecoming series
Ruling by the Sward
“From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron ...” (Rev. 19: 15 ESV)
Jesus rules, in part because of His sharp sword.
We have to set this into context. Remember when the Antichrist was ruling. He ruled through ten kings.
Jesus has authority over them.
We mentioned in the last devotion that Jesus had the only weapons at the Battle of Armageddon. We first heard about His sword in Revelation 1.
“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength” (Rev. 1: 12-16 ESV).
But then we also connected that Jesus is the Word, and the Word is a sword. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4: 12 ESV).
Jesus, being the Son of God and to whom He has given all authority, is ruler of all.
Jesus has supremacy over us because He is our Creator. “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (Jn. 1: 3 ESV).
But then Jesus conquered as the Son of Man. While Jesus was here on earth, he battled spiritual rulers who were really masters in evil. He conquered death and sin.
Roberts explained why Jesus is supreme. He wrote, “There is not a portion of the universe where His sway is not felt and confessed. There is not a locality abandoned. That dominion extends to the place of banishment, the abode of the lost.”
Resource
The heir of all things is Jesus. “And if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8: 17 ESV).
Jesus has been given authority in Heaven as well as on earth. We talked about this when we talked about the army coming with Him. “And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses” (Rev. 19: 14 ESV).
This may confuse worldview people. Yes, Satan has authority on earth. “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2: 1-2 ESV).
But this authority is temporary. Satan will lose at the Battle of Armageddon.
Winepress
“... He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” (Rev. 19: 15 ESV)
God’s wrath will be unleashed.
A first-century winepress was simple. What was needed was a basin, ropes, and people’s feet.
The concept was simple. People stomped grapes.
Ooo, baby. If the stompers were having a bad day, I bet they could really stomp.
So, what this is saying is God’s enemies are going to be the grapes. No, God won’t be having a really bad day, but the fury of His wrath is going to be unleashed.
This is the wrath that has been put on hold for centuries. It’s going to come out in the fullness of time.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords
“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19: 16 ESV)
Jesus’ authority will be on full display.
It seems strange that Jesus’ name is written on His thigh. Why?
It is a sign of power.
Remember Abraham. “And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, ‘Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac’” (Gen. 24: 2-4 ESV).
We tend to forget that Jacob/Israel asked the same oath from Joseph. “And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt” (Gen. 47: 29 ESV).
When we read this passage, we think the hand under the thigh is kind of gross. It was their way of swearing on their circumcision.
That makes sense. We swear on the Bible – they didn’t have it. They had the oath of circumcision they made to God.
It could also because of Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel. “So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man” (Gen. 32: 24-25 ESV).
Jesus’ dominion is far greater. He rules Heaven and earth and everything in between. He rules the seen and the unseen.
We know Jesus said He had a kingdom. “Jesus answered [Pilate], ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.’ Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice’” (Jn. 18: 36-37 ESV).
Why didn’t Jesus say, “Yes, I am a King”? Well, I may be wrong, but I think it is just terminology added in with differing expectations.
We would look at Jesus as a King from our worldly perspective. Jesus was much more than that. He didn’t want to limit us to our knowledge.
Remember. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov. 3: 5 ESV).
In other words, the kingdom is more than we can fathom.
Foot explained the King of kings part. He wrote,
“Other kings are usually content to wield the sceptre over an empire of private individuals. But instead of being king over individuals in a private capacity, our Lord claims to be the King of kings. Princes and monarchs of every degree of power are subject to His control. Before Him they all are required alike to bow, to pour forth their gratitude, and to offer a tribute of adoration.”
Resource
Christ being the King of kings brings us confidence. No one loves us more and has our best interests at heart. Our best best interest is our salvation – with Him as our Savior.
Making the Connections #1
Jesus has authority over all mankind. On the Day of the Lord, they will submit one way or another.
- “By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance’” (Isa. 45: 23 ESV).
- “For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God’” (Rom. 14: 11 ESV).
- “So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2: 10-11 ESV).
Everyone – believer and non-believer – will bow down to Him.
Roberts explained it very well. He wrote,
“Men who will not yield willing submission to His authority and the claims of His love shall be made to yield unwilling submission to His retributive justice. If the milder aspects of His kingly character fail to subdue them, He must turn upon them the sterner aspects of that character.”
Resource
God wants to win us over with His mercy and His grace. He doesn’t want to be a dictator.
But there will come a day when God refuses to allow sin to continue. He will be victorious in His battle over sin.
Making the Connections #2
Jesus is the moral Ruler of the universe. We have to remember that.
Jesus is most concerned about our spiritual character – our moral character.
No, it isn’t the worldview moral character. It is the nature of God.
How Do We Apply This?
- Acknowledge Sovereign God as the Everlasting Father.
- Acknowledge the attributes of God.
- Acknowledge that God is in control of all things.
- Adore Christ as our King.
Resource
Father God. You are a God of love, but You are also a God of wrath. You can and will defend Yourself. Lord, we commit to obeying You and working out our salvation to have Your character. Amen.
What do you think?
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