Stained with the blood of his enemies. That’s how Jesus is pictured in Revelation 19:13, “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood.”
Make no doubt about it, salvation is war. The evil enemies of Jesus will do anything to destroy his holy, gracious will that promises to forgive sins and claim sinners as his own.
Physically, the enemies of Jesus have exerted lethal force since the beginning of time when the devil commissioned a physical snake and a physical apple to tempt Adam and Eve. More grueling than that, the enemies of Jesus directly, physically hurt and even killed believers throughout the centuries and still today.
Blood has been shed. Believers have fallen as martyrs (only to be glorified in the kingdom of heaven with all believers). Bullies opposing the Christian faith have made their bloody mark.
They even tortured and crucified Jesus. However, the exaltation of Jesus Christ in his resurrection, ascension and sitting at the Father’s right hand in eternal authority proves this—the enemies of Jesus do not have the final word.
The book of Revelation makes this vividly clear for faithful followers of Jesus. His foes lose. Every single one. Every single time.
With full disclosure and hard honesty, Revelation confesses that the enemies of Jesus make their bloody mark on Jesus and his followers. These enemies are described as “drunk with the blood of the saints” (Revelation 17:6) and among them “was found the blood of the prophets and the saints” (Revelation 18:24).
Evil is real. Evil hurts. But evil never wins. Never. The enemies of Jesus attack him and his kingdom at their own peril, at the price of their own blood.
In the book of Isaiah, God speaks and answers questions about his wrath against these and all of his enemies. “Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength?
‘It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.’
Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?
‘I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing’” (Isaiah 62:1-3).
Though we often associate any blood pictured on Jesus or God as his own blood, making the sacrificial payment for our sins, sometimes it is actually the blood of his enemies.
This is the case in Revelation 19, a military scene depicting the overwhelming, final and total victory of Jesus Christ, his angels and all believers.
Jesus “treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:15,16).
Everyone in this world, both believer and unbeliever, bow down to an ultimate king and serve an ultimate lord. By the power of his grace and salvation promised to you, renew your resolve today to always serve and submit to Jesus Christ.
Plead the blood of Jesus in victory, rather than spilling your own in defeat.
PRAYER: I plead your blood, Jesus! Your sacrifice is done. Payment for my sins is made. Therefore, I praise you for your total victory over all evil enemies. I’m in awe as you picture your garments, stained with their blood, and you stand in triumph. We win! Today. Tomorrow. Forever. Hallelujah! Amen!
FURTHER STUDY: Read this section of military conquest in Revelation 19:11-16. Want to hear more teaching about it? Watch my sermon from Sunday https://crosslifepf.org/messages/the-power-of-words/