King of Kings

Oh, there's nothing like saving the hardest for last. The book of Revelation, full of symbolism and allegory. Well, here goes...

"They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them..." It's hard to imagine a warrior-like lamb. Lambs are cute, fuzzy, gentle and engender a sense of protectiveness. Of course, this Lamb is the great "Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" (Revelation 1:17 & 22:13) who enters onto the apocalyptic stage of Revelation with a "sharp two-edged sword" protruding from his mouth and a face "like the sun shining in full strength." (Revelation 1:16)

Jesus is compared to a lamb for two reasons: 1. In the book of Exodus, the blood of lambs was sprinkled on the doorposts of the Israelites so the Angel of the Lord would pass over their homes during the final plague of Egypt. (Exodus 12) Jesus, as the sacrifice for the world's sins is the ultimate sacrificial lamb, perfect and unblemished by sin so that all those covered by his blood will not fall under the wrath of God. 2. In his prophecy about the Messiah, Isaiah compares him to a lamb led to the slaughter. "He was pressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)

The first time Jesus came, he was gentle and lowly and went quietly, like a lamb, but upon his return, we will see the Lamb in his full glory as "Lord of lords and King of kings," which are also God's titles according to Deuteronomy 10:17 and Psalm 136:3, but in Revelation 19:11-16, we see these titles given to the Son, and we have a description of the returning Christ, "The Word of God" (v. 13), on a white horse, his sword protruding from his mouth (v.15), with "King of kings, and Lord of lords" written on his robe and thigh (v. 16.) The lamb will return as a warrior in full power and might to strike the final blow at evil and rule in righteousness and glory for all eternity. (Revelation 20 - 22)

Amen!

Diana Dodd is the founder and managing editor of the Christian blog site, Joy in Faithful Living. She and her husband Bryan, a career Army officer, have been married for 23 years and lived all over the United States. They currently reside in Kansas with their two girls, ages 16 and 10.

This piece was originally published at Joy in Faithful Living in 2020. They have graciously granted us full permission to re-publish the series here, but we would love for you to visit their site and support their ministry, as well! Check out their work at joyinfaithfulliving.com.I