Faithful and True

Rev 19:11    I 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.

Rev 19:12    His 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.

Rev 19:13    He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

Rev 19:14    The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

Rev 19:15    Coming 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.

Rev 19:16    On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  NIV

At this festive time of year, we hear a lot about the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, and how He came to earth with  the announcement of bringing "good tidings of great joy."  For over 2000 years, nations all over the world have been celebrating His birth and proclaiming His good news. Through Him, we are saved and given new life, when we receive Him and His finished work on the cross because He sacrificed His own life for us at the age of 33.  Then He died and rose again and lives forevermore in heaven with His Father.  He also dwells in the hearts of all those who believe in Him and trust Him as their personal Lord and Savior.

But this morning the words "faithful and true" kept coming to mind and the verses above had particular meaning for me, especially after the Newton tragedy where 20 children were killed.  Some people may question where God is when such a thing happens.  My heart goes out to all the parents and anyone affected by this tragedy of so many young lives lost, and also the teachers and principal whose lives were taken.  I pray for God's comfort in a very special, real and tangible way at this time.  A few days after the tragedy, the Lord gave me a vision, which I recently shared on my Facebook page.  Here it is:

I see Jesus and his white robes, and the glow of His deep love and compassion surrounding the slain children. He's gathering them in His strong arms of love and protection. Then they are gone and the room is empty, swept clean. All that is left is His assuring presence.

He is Lord of all and in all circumstances, He reigns supreme.

It is the last part that was especially revealed to me.  HE IS LORD OF ALL AND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES HE REIGNS SUPREME.  This is extremely significant to me because, in spite of the many human atrocities that occur in our fallen world, Jesus is still on the throne, He is still in control, and this is His world and always will be.  No one owns the earth or any part of it; we are simply renting a space, and all is on loan while we are allotted our time on this earth.  Evil will not rule forever, even though it may seem like it is out of control. 

So at this time of great loss and also celebration of Jesus' birth, may we keep in our hearts and mind that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  May His excellent and glorious name be continuously praised.