The Return of the King

The Apostles’ Creed

The first time I remember hearing the Apostles’ Creed was in college during Chapel. Along with 2,500 other students, in unison, we read a collection of words that were unfamiliar, yet absolutely core to what I knew to be true. I soon came to learn that the Apostles’ Creed is one of the earliest Christian Statements of Faith, first written during the second century, and followed by minor iterations. It stands as one of the most recited and enduring affirmations of the hope that Christians have proclaimed throughout the centuries. As we call out the Creed, we join Christians around the world in this declaration of trust in the Triune God and our hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is a cry of the heart, announcing the truth of Scripture.

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.
As a form of worship, consider starting each day, for a week, slowly reading through the Creed. Listen to the words and picture the saints who have gone before, calling out, each in their own language, this same proclamation of hope. We believe!

Lynette Fuson
Care & Counseling Director

by Lynette Fuson

The Divine Warrior's Sword

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

When our two pups were younger, we hired a dog trainer whose name was Chris. He was a K-9 trainer and handler, an expert in his field. He got acquainted with the pups and us while he gained their trust. After the first visit, when he walked inhis very presence was one of authority and confidence, so the pups became submissive. It only took one word or hand gesture for them to obey his command. We were in awe. He meant business and they knew it. Their obedience was rewarded, consistent repetition was the key.

Jesus is depicted as a powerful warrior, not a lamb, and his title was the Word of God in Revelation 19:13. The armies of heaven follow on white horses and from his mouth comes a “sharp sword” which is the weapon used to execute judgment on the nations. It’s interesting that the victory of Jesus comes through the sword of his Word (v.15). John sees an army with Christ in fine white linen, which could include both angels and saints and they don’t have weapons. That’s because there isn’t going to be a fight.

Revelation 19:13-15 describes the triumphant second coming of Jesus, where he comes to judge the world and establish his kingdom, conquering all opposition and fulfilling prophetic promises of his ultimate authority and victory. God established life on earth with his words, “Let there be light.” Jesus, the Son returns to strike down His and our enemies with His divine command. “It’s over” – literally – when Christ says it’s over. Evil is done for good when he says so. His word of judgment is sharp like a sword and strong like “a rod of iron.” Jesus Christ is our Divine Warrior.

I wish I could say we now have perfectly trained and obedient pups, but it was hard for Chris to train their people to be consistent, strong, loving, but firm pup parents. Really all we had to do was follow his example and be consistent.

As believers, all we have to do is follow the example of Jesus and consistently study His word to experience a full life of forgiveness, mercy, peace and the joy He alone provides.

What feelings do you have when you read Revelation 19? What assurance brings you peace?

Deb Hill
EFCC Member

by Deb Hill

The Battleless War

Revelation 19:12-13

There was a time when a bunch of my high school friends and I pooled our money together to purchase a Pay-Per-View boxing match. We had a bunch of people over, ordered pizza, and were ready for a fun evening together. Several undercard fights were great, but the main card was unspectacular to say the least. The fight was over within a few seconds. One punch was all it took. That’s similar to the way the “great battle” in Revelation plays out.

If you look for the fight in Revelation, you’ll be hard-pressed to find it. When Jesus returns, we hear far more about him than we do about any sort of actual battle. There’s one unexpected detail about the way he’s described when he returns that is worth noting. You’d think the King of kings returning to defeat evil once and for all would come dressed in spotless white, ready for battle. But instead, he rides in already covered in blood.

That detail stops me every time I read it. Before a single sword is swung, before any enemy is defeated, the robe of Christ is already stained red. Which begs the question, whose blood is on his robe? He has not appeared on earth in the book of Revelation at this point. This is his only return; so, where did the blood come from, and whose blood is it?

I’d propose to you that his robe is covered in his own blood. The victory he brings isn’t won by military power or brute force. It’s a victory that’s already been secured through the sacrifice of the cross. His robe is dipped in blood because the battle was fought and won on Calvary. The Lamb who was slain is also the Warrior who triumphs. His blood isn’t a mark of defeat or of a bloody war he wages when he returns; it’s remnants of the victory of the cross.

Paul said it beautifully in Colossians 2 when he wrote,

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-15)

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, he didn’t just die for sin; he disarmed spiritual powers. He exposed evil for what it is and stripped it of its claim over us. Sin’s record of debt was canceled. Death’s hold was broken. Satan’s threats were silenced. All of it, finished.

That means the “final war” in Revelation isn’t much of a war at all. It’s the public unveiling of what was already accomplished at Calvary. Jesus isn’t fighting to win the battle; he’s coming to enforce the victory he already won. So when life feels like a fight, and let’s be honest, sometimes it really does, remember this: you’re not fighting for victory, you’re fighting from it. The robe has already been dipped in blood. The cross has already conquered.

Whatever evil you’re up against today, guilt that haunts you, temptation that won’t quit, fear that paralyzes you, Christ’s blood speaks a better word. He’s already spoken the final word.

The battle might still rage, but the outcome isn’t in question. Jesus wins. And because you belong to him, so do you. Amen and amen!

Ryan Paulson
Lead Pastor

by Ryan Paulson

You’re Invited

“…Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
Revelation 19:9

It was 1965 in the summer after my freshman year in college. That particular Saturday was going to be the wedding of a dear high school friend. I looked forward to not only the wedding but reconnecting with friends from high school. It was a beautiful day and I decided to head to the beach for a few hours before getting ready for the event. There was plenty of time to sunbathe at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. I told my mom I would return before three and hopped in the car for some beach time! Those days were prior to cell phones, so it was quite normal to be unreachable. We didn’t even think twice about it. After enjoying my time at the beach, I returned early and proceeded to get ready for the wedding. Then the wall phone in the kitchen rang and I hurried to answer it. After answering, I heard the question, “Where were you?” from another friend. I had missed the wedding because I had the time confused. I had missed everything from the ceremony to the reception and there was no way to fix it. To this day I still feel awful about it.

In the Bible, God often used marriage as a picture of our relationship to Himself. In the New Testament this relationship is used to illustrate the relationship of the Church and Christ. Ephesians 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her ..so that he might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she might be holy without blemish.” The marriage supper of the lamb is the celebration with Jesus and those who trusted in His atoning death and resurrection. That is us! We are blessed because we have been invited to partake of the marriage supper with Him. If you are in the church, the body of Christ, the family of God, then you have been invited. You will be there; you won’t miss it. What assurance and joy we have as we anticipate being blessed and seated with the lamb of God!

Ponder: What does it mean to you to know you will be at the marriage supper of the lamb? What are the blessings in the invitation and how are you personally blessed by it?

Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member

by Francie Overstreet

Two Women’s Ways

Taylor Swift's latest album just dropped as I wrote this. I haven't heard it, and probably never will, but her voice and message have already reached billions. Women can profoundly influence culture. Revelation 19 contrasts the fates of two famous women. Proverbs 9 predicts that fate. In Proverbs, the women are Folly and Wisdom; in Revelation, they are Babylon and the Bride of Christ.

Proverbs 9:13-18

Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

Revelation 19:1-3; 6-9

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 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.”

Death for one woman’s way. Life eternal, through a beautiful connection to Christ, for the other. The whole scope of life and God’s salvation points toward and awaits the connection and redemption of God’s people at the wedding of the Lamb. Wedding imagery conveys great hope, significance, and security for all who wait and walk with Jesus.

John Riley
Junior High Pastor

by John Riley