Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Revelation 17-19
Revelation 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
The enemies are many, the Champion is One. Throughout the book, many interesting and noteworthy opponents to God and His people are mentioned. But given the opportunity to only write a few devotions about this book, a conscious decision to focus on Him, and His people seemed appropriate. There are books, devotions, study guides, commentaries and other writings about the enemies, the judgments, the Old Testament prophecies contained herein, and the judgments contained herein. But this overview has attempted to highlight some things that are not usually the focus.
One overriding theme of Revelation is the Lamb of God. Interestingly the apostle John is the only one who writes of this Lamb as a person. He first mentions this Lamb in John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John the Baptist introduced Jesus Christ to the world as the Lamb of God. He states this a second time, the next day, in John 1:36. The only other time in Scripture that this Lamb is mentioned in such a manner is in the book of Revelation.
This book, the one we commonly call Revelation, was written first and foremost to reveal Jesus Christ. This tidbit seems to be a side note to many who study the book as they focus on the judgments, times, and other spectacular events found here. While these demand study and are vital to understanding end time events, make no doubt, if asked this preacher would state unequivocally that the main character found in this book is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In 17:14 John makes an emphatic statement that must not be overlooked or forgotten. There will be a coming war between “These” and the Lamb. The Lamb wins! He always wins! He shall overcome them. Just consider the three titles that identify this One in this single verse.
The Lamb … Lord of lords … King of kings.
Also consider those who are with Him, they are: called, and chosen and faithful.
John gives the reader more: Revelation 19:11-16 he reports: And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
What more could be written? What more could be said? How great is this man? So great that three times in Scripture it is recorded that every knee shall bow to Him (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10). What a wonderful name for such a formidable Champion; the Lamb of God. The title of “Lamb” is used in twenty-six verses in this book, all as proper nouns, identifying a specific person. By reading these twenty-six verses any person will be able to have a complete picture of the true person of the …Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
Dr. William T. Howe
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