Hi, my name is Shawn and I have been an elder at Riverside for a few years since City Chapel and Riverside merged. A fun fact about me is that I am restoring a ’52 Studebaker truck. I am on the 5 year plan, so don’t ask me if it is done until 2025.
The passage you are going to read today is Revelation 19:11-21.
We have been through the Christmas season, and I am sure you have seen many depictions of the baby Jesus. That can be how many people like to think of Jesus:
“Holy infant so tender and mild”
“But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes”
But here we have a very different picture. The King of kings returning at the head of an army and eating the flesh of his enemies. This is not some namby-pamby Jesus who just wants everyone to be happy.
Some things to consider:
- Verse 15 says “He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” Jesus is the one working out the fury of the wrath of God. Does this offend your view of Jesus?
- How do you reconcile these two depictions of Jesus? Jesus did come into this world as a baby in a stable. And He is coming back with a sword as depicted in Revelation. Both true.
- Which side are you on in this final battle depicted in Revelation? There only appears to be two sides, no middle ground.