Revelation 19:13–14: “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.”

September 12th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

There should be no question as to who the Apostle John is describing in these verses, because he alone used the title, “The Word of God,” for Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). The armies that follow Jesus, also on white horses, must be the saints. They are “clothed in fine linen, white and clean,” which must be what Jesus clothes believers in when they are saved “by grace through faith.” We also know from Jude and Paul that believers will return with Jesus Christ as He comes back to establish His reign on the earth. Jude wrote: “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints” (vs. 14). The Apostle Paul wrote: “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4). Paul says that because of this we should put away fleshly things and seek godly things. He is saying something like, “Look at who and what you are now, and what you are going to be then. And then, for heaven’s sake, act like it now!”

Many years ago there was a story about a godly man who was anxiously awaiting the Lord’s return. It was his habit each night, as he finished his prayers and closed his eyes to sleep, to say, “Maybe tonight, Lord.” And when he awoke each morning to a bright sunlit new day, to pray, “Maybe today, Lord.” He lived his life in expectation of Jesus’ return. So did R. Murray McCheyne (1813–1843), the godly Scottish pastor who went to be with the Lord before he reached the age of 30. On one occasion, he asked some friends in his home, “Do you think that Jesus Christ will come tonight?” Pausing before each guest, he waited for their reply. One by one, each answered, “No, I think not.” And to each one, as they said so, he quietly quoted the words of Jesus, “In an hour when you think not, the Son of Man comes” (Luke 12:40).

“LORD, maybe today or maybe tonight!”