Revelation 19

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Revelation 19:19-21, Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

In this chapter, John sees heaven standing open.  Just for reference, the word apocalypse means “a revealing,” and it’s root has to do with this concept of being open.  If you think about the whole book of Revelation, it’s about open doors, open seals, open scrolls, open books, open temple, and even an open abyss. Now, heaven is open and God allows his people to see.  There are no secrets. 

With the destruction of Babylon, the heavenly one, Jesus himself, comes riding in on a white horse.  He is called Faithful and True.  While some may struggle to see Jesus come ready for battle, this war has an eternal purpose and is done for true justice to occur.  These images of Jesus are clearly war-like.  He has come to kill the beast and those who follow him and throw them into the lake of fire.  Evil is being vanquished.  Finally.

Let’s pray…Come, Lord Jesus, come.  Come and put an end to evil and misery.  We are so broken and our world is a mess.  How we need you.  Come, Lord Jesus.  Help us be a people ready for you.  In your name, Amen.