By Rev Don Schatz

God’s Storm Troopers?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True….The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.”
Revelation 19:11, 14 New International Version

When our son and daughter-in-law were married earlier this year (thanks Pastor Doug!), their cake-topper was a silhouette of B-B 8 and R-2 D-2.  My wife found the perfect tie for me to wear to the wedding.

I am pretty sure our ancient Brother John, when he envisioned heaven standing open by the Spirit’s mercy, probably didn’t have storm troopers in mind.  Maybe if the Spirit waited until today to give John his wondrous vision?  Well, maybe not then either.  Regardless, heaven opened and the armies of heaven followed their enthroned-on-a-white-horse leader Faithful and True.

I like Revelation.  You can fight about all the fantastic symbols and numerology if you want.  I like the simple theme of Revelation.  God Won.  God is still winning.  God will always win.  Oh, and you who are in Christ won, are winning, will always win!

Is something ‘defeating’ you today?  No.  God has defeated its ability to defeat you, to discourage you, to overwhelm your spirit, to darken your soul, to erase the smile from your heart—God Won.  God is still winning.  God will always win.  Oh, and you who are in Christ won, are winning, will always win!

Believe it!  Some days, it’s truly the only thing that gets us through.  I get that.  I’ve been there, as you have.  This is not pie-in-the-sky.  This is not magical.  This is the flesh-and-blood reality of the impact of Christ’s victory on the cross and through the tomb.  If we are alive to God in Christ Jesus, then the victory is ours.  Every victory.  Not just the one that will give us wings to God’s presence through death.  Every victory.  The victory you need today.  Done.

Look, do you see with John’s eyes?  Do you see heaven standing open, and there is a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True…? The armies of heaven are following him still, riding on white horses and dressed in fine line, white and clean.”  They are coming for you.  He is coming to you.  Today.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado