Meeting Jesus: Friend or Foe?

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is the Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."

Revelation 19:11-16


As a child, I naively thought that salvation was simply God saving us from the devil. While certain elements of that reasoning may be true, I have, quite thankfully, come to the understanding that God is saving us from Himself! There are over 4o references in the book of Revelation that allude to Jesus as King, enthroned as the Sovereign of the universe. This is one of the most terrifying. The blood soaking the robe? That of his enemies. This is the King we cannot escape; this is the King of our present lives and future judgement. By his grace alone we are saved from the wrath of God. Let us run to this King for mercy and grace, that we may meet him as a friend. There will be no hope for us if we meet him as foe.