Instead of looking at Christmas from the point of view of Matthew or Luke, we are looking at it from the point of view of Revelation. We are looking for Jesus to come the second time. Ancient Jewish scholars thought it might be two different messiahs, but we know that it is one messaiah coming two times. The first time as a lamb and the second time as a lion.
We call this season Advent. It is the coming of Christ.
Whenever you talk about Revelation you get one of two reactions. Because of the images and the subject it is too frightening and so somepeople won’t look at it at all. Others get into it too much. They try to interpret the times based upon all of the images in Revelation. Both extremes are not good. What we learn form it is that you are blessed if you read it.
Revelation show us that all of the evil in this world will be cast down and conquered. There will come a time when there is no more sickness, no more pain, no more tears!
Jesus is the word of God, the Holy Spirit is the breath of God. The father gives us the breath to speak the word!
Satan exists to accuse you to God and to yourself. He is a liar. Two extremes about the devil. One is that he doesn’t exist or is like a cartoon character. The other is to think he is all powerful. Both are wrong. Don’t focus on the devil, focus on JESUS! When He came, he conquered the devil. The devil is not as strong as Jesus. We read in Revelation 12 that Micael the angel defeated the devil in a battle in heaven. If Michael can defeat the devil, you can be sure that Jesus can!
We know Jesus is coming back because he promised that he would in John 14. Jesus has made a place for you and will come back to bring you there.
Satan is working against Jesus and all who believe in Him. But his only weapon is through lies. Jesus can protect you from those lies. Don’t believe them. As soon as you do, satan is winning. You have an enemy and his name is satan and he goal is to destroy you. The way to overcome that is to believe the truth which is Jesus.
In Revelation 19 there is an invitation to a wedding. The wedding it between Jesus (the groom) and the church (His bride).
Let’s look at the coming of Jesus. He is the rider on a white horse. His name is faithful and true. The white horse symbolizes purity. He comes with justice to judge and he goes to war to deliver us from evil. We sometimes think he just wants to crush the devil. But more than that he comes to deliver us from evil.
Jesus is described as having eyes like a fiery flame. It is symbolic meaning that he sees eerything. Wherever he looks there can be no darkness. On his head are many diadem crowns. Remember that the devil has seven crowns, Jesus has MANY. Too many to count!
He has a name written that no one knows except himself. The name of Jesus contains so many facets that nobody except Him knows it all.
He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood. But not the blood of his enemies. It is the blood of the lamb that takes away the sins of the world. And he is called the Son of God.
A sharp sword is coming from His mouth. It is not an actual sword. But His word cuts between good and evil with truth. It cuts through confusion.
He rules with a rod of iron. It is a sceptre that is strong and cannot be changed.
He has another name written on his thigh and on his side. It is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Translation to Swahili by Fils Ekanga
