GPS Guide – December 14, 2018

KING OF KINGS

Friday

Read: Revelation 19:11-16

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (NIV Revelation 19:11-16)

Study: In a vision packed with symbols, Revelation proclaimed Jesus’ final triumph over evil. Some symbols change little over time—good guys, for example, ride on white horses. Others take a bit more thought—the sword from the victor’s mouth is a symbol for the power of God’s word. The vision used a double title—“King of Kings and Lord of Lords”—doubly inscribed (“on his robe and on his thigh”) to powerfully underline Jesus’ royalty in the universe. Rome happened to be in power at the time of Revelation’s writing. But Rome was hardly unique. Human rulers have often claimed divine approval for their actions (e.g. Nazi soldiers wore belt buckles that said, in German, “God is with us”). Some, like the Roman emperors, have even claimed to be divine. This is not exclusive to ancient times either. Do you trust that Jesus is “king of kings” over all of them? In what ways does that trust form the basis for the hope in which we live, during Advent and all year long?

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the King of kings, you are the Lord of lords. I cannot fully grasp all the reach of that, but I can and do ask you to be Lord of my life, to make me the person you want me to be. Amen.