November 26, 2023, Christ the King: ”Warrior Christ?”

It is ironic that Revelation heralds the return of the Prince of Peace with such violent language. Christ returns on a white horse, to “judge and wage war”. We may be turned off by such language, seeing it as polar opposite to the Christ revealed on the cross. However, John, Revelation’s visionary, may be subtly undercutting such martial imagery while still using its comforting aspects for a people who needed a warrior Messiah. How might John be doing this? What hope did the first hearers receive from these visions? How can we, some 1,900 years removed, also find strength here? For Christ the King Sunday, Pastor David preaches, “Warrior Christ?” based on Revelation 19:11-16; 22:1-5. This will conclude our sermon series on Revelation.