Chapter 19

 Most people, thanks to our sweet Sunday school picture Bibles, see Jesus to be a clean shaven man (maybe with a perfectly trimmed beard/goatee); shoulder length, wavy brown hair; radiant blue eyes; wearing a flowing white robe with a blue sashe.  Jesus was a carpenter for years!  His body was probably lean but muscular.  His hands were probably rough, and with all the travelling He did teaching, he probably wasn't the cleanest guy around.  The Bible says in Isaiah 53: 2 that, "He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." Jesus didn't look like a king.  He didn't look like a man to follow.  He was humble and showed love to even those most people wouldn't speak to, including tax collectors and prostitutes.  But he also taught in authority, and people were drawn to him.  He was a man, but at the same time He was God.  But now that Jesus is no longer a man- but rather a all-powerful, all- encompassing, all-knowing God.  He is no longer just a homeless, humble man who taught good morals, as some would rather keep Him to.  But rather, He should be feared because He reigns with "a rod of iron" in heaven on a throne at the right side of His Father.  "His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems (that is crowns)".  He is clothed in a robe that is dipped in blood- the blood of his enemies!  "From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations".  "He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty."  That doesn't sound like the same guy who was on earth, does it?  I think people who grew up with this "sweet Sunday School" image of Jesus, and who aren't currently growing in Him, still think He is just a moral man with good examples to follow.  If that is all you've let Him be in your life, then Satan has your life in the palm of his hand.  That's what he wants you to think of Jesus.  When you've taken your childlike faith and matured it so that you live in repentance and seek Him daily- giving Him full reign in your life, you see Him as much more than a moral man full of great examples.  He becomes your King.  The King of your life.  That blood that Jesus' robe is dipped in, ain't yours.  The sharp sword that comes from His mouth is not coming to strike you down.  God's wrath for your sin has been fully satisfied by the price Jesus paid on the cross.  We are going to be the ones that "gather for the great supper of God."   

        How do you see Jesus?  Is your picture of Him still the "sweet Sunday school" picture?  Do you see Him as powerful with eyes flaming with fire, a sword coming out of His mouth, his head crowned with many crowns?  Do you look to Him as a good example of how we should live or do you fear Him as your king?  

On Revelation Chapter 19

• Leanne