The coherency of God’s Word is breathtaking, especially as it applies to Jesus Christ. It’s a coherency that ought to warn all of us, particularly those of us who will not receive Jesus Christ as Lord (King) and Savior (Messiah). Consider this portion of Isaiah 63:1-6:
Who is this who comes from Edom, with garments of flowing colors from Bozrah, this one who is majestic in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why is your apparel red, and your garments like the one who treads in the wine press? “I have trodden the wine trough alone, and from the peoples there was no man with me. I also trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments and I stained all my raiment. For the day of vengeance was in my heart and my year of redemption has come. I looked, and there was no one to help, and I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought salvation to me, and my wrath upheld me. I trod down the peoples in my anger and made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”
The picture here is that of the divine Messiah (the Savior), who is also judge, coming from the the east and arriving in glory at Jerusalem, having poured out God’s righteous wrath on rebellious sinners. Notice that the “day of vengeance” and the “year of redemption” are not arbitrary. They appear to be fixed times, specifically arranged and established by God.
Now, consider how the Apostle John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, takes up this same imagery with respect to Jesus Christ in Revelation 19:11-16:
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name written on him which no one knows except himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it he may strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; and he treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (see also Revelation 14:17-20).
Jesus Christ is the God of love who, because of his love (at the core of which stands “glory”), will not leave sin undefeated and unavenged…nor sinners free to rebel forever. On the day of the Lord’s choosing, you and I will both face the awesome GOD-man. Will you (will I) meet him as a terrifying, avenging warrior, or as an exhilarating and welcome Redeemer? Choose as you will…choose now, in this life, because there is no other…and know that there is no such thing as neutrality in this decision.
Fix Your Mind 