The end of the year seems like the appropriate time to consider The End; that is, the Return of Jesus Christ.
We deem Christmas the First Advent because on its occasion we celebrate the arrival of the Son of God into our world to redeem us. Over the past few weeks (links to the first, second, and third posts), we’ve studied how the Scriptures link heart and mouth and how Jesus embodies the heart and mouth of God.
The Second Advent or Second Coming also reveals Jesus as the expression of the heart and mouth of God. Here’s an extended passage that describes the Lord in these terms:
“Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’ 10At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.’”
“11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.”
“ 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, ‘Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.’”
“19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.” – Revelation 19:9-21
This passage emphasizes how Jesus functions as God’s heart and mouth. The Father honors His Son. He hosts the marriage supper of the Lamb to bless Jesus by blessing those who’ve suffered out of loyalty to Him. Their reward–our reward–is the joy of Jesus.
The Father also sends Christ back to earth, to the world which spurned and crucified Him and now torments His disciples.
But this time is different. Although He faces rejection in the form of armed hostility, it’s futile. Jesus returns to establish the kingdom on earth; God’s governance prevails and no form of human resistance will combat it. Christ judges, convicts, and punishes the leaders of the world system with unstoppable authority.
John describes a future in which Jesus takes up His proper and deserved place. He is, as the apostle declares, the King over all kings and the Lord over every lord. God fulfills His commitment that His Son receive glory.
And John elaborates by identifying Jesus in verse 13 as the Word of God. He’s done this before (see John 1:1, 14). John never fails to recognize Jesus as God’s ultimate communication to us. Christ reveals the mind of God to a world caught up in confusion, pain, error, and darkness. His Word provides rescue for the suffering and retribution for oppressors.
At the bookends of His ministry, the First Advent and the Second Advent, Jesus manifests the heart and mouth of God. These characterize the beginning of His work as well as its culmination.
As we reflect on the close of a year and ponder the potential of a new one, let’s ground ourselves on Jesus Christ, the Heart and Mouth of God. If we want to know God better, we can do so only through Christ. And if we aim to serve God with power, we must depend on Jesus. All we have and all we seek lies in Him.
Happy New Year!
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