Reading: Revelation 19:11-16
Click here to listen to the Sunday sermon on Pergamum
Prefer listening to this message? Click here for the audio version
I remember once some students telling me, “I can’t imagine you yelling at your kids.” When they’re used to only seeing a gentle side of my nature, they might find it difficult to see another side. But my children will testify differently I’m sure. Like most parents, the first time I give a warning, it might be a soft tone, requesting them to do or not do something. The third time I have to ask, it’s going to be a much more stern and sharp voice behind the request, and it might even be accompanied with a spanking.
When we’ve grown accustomed imagining the Jesus of the Gospels with a gentle beard, flowing hair, and soft hands, it’s difficult to see Him whip people in the Temple Courts and irately turn over the money-changing tables. Had we been an eyewitness and not known Jesus’ righteous side, we might mistake Him for a psycho. But the Gospel account is a reminder that Jesus isn’t just a peace-loving hippie like is often portrayed in Hollywood.
Perhaps what we find so haunting about Revelation is that we’re presented with a wrathful side of God that we find difficult to reconcile with the phrase “God is love” that we’ve ingrained into our religion. In Revelation 19, we read of Jesus riding a horse, judging the nations, his robe is dipped in blood, and on His robe and thigh are written King of kings and Lord of lords. Sounds more like what a boxer would wear, as he enters the ring in front of the Vegas crowds. We’re probably not going to find many worship songs that reference Jesus’ robe dipped in blood.
This passage in Revelation 19 also echoes something in Revelation 1 and 2. Jesus has a double edged sword in His mouth. What kind of person has a double-edged sword for his mouth? The one who speaks justly. Hebrews 4 tells us that “the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” The phrase Word of God used in Hebrews 4 is the same as the description of Jesus in John 1.
Yes, Jesus is loving and His ministry on earth was marked with humility, meekness, and mildness. But His message on earth was a message of repentance. Jesus is kind of enough to warn these churches. Repent or else. Like a father, He’s pleading with us, “Stop so I won’t have to bring further correction.” Many times we ignore His warning. But we must beware that when Jesus’ gentle warnings are ignored, He resorts to more intense measures to get our attention.
Hebrews 4 makes it clear that Jesus has the amazing ability to get at the root of the problem. He can get through our false intentions, and get right at our attitudes. And if it means that it brings us to a place where we are turning to Him, He will do it. But the choice is ours. We can heed the gentle warning of God, or we can wait until He gets our attention. May we be a people who seek repentance – not just for the fear of punishment but for the love of being in communion with our Redeemer.