The Wrath of the Lambkin—Part 2 -Steve Orr

Does the Wrath of the Lamb Contradict His Teaching?

(To read part 1 of The Wrath of the Lambkin)

Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is often seen as what was, or will be, the greatest battle of all time. Some see it as a battle between Jesus and Satan for the ruler-ship over all the earth for all time.

When it comes to understanding the book of Revelation, there’s a salient point that we need to understand: Sodom, Egypt, Babylon, and the Whore are all apocalyptic references to Jerusalem, which includes the entire obsolete Old Covenant religious system that came with it. These references to Jerusalem are made clear with these words from Revelation 11:8: “where our Lord was crucified.”

With the understanding that the battle is between Christ and all those powers ruling over Jerusalem, the capital city of religion, the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the prophetic announcement of the end of religion. At the core, this leaves us with the freedom to celebrate “Christianity Without the Religion” and “practicing all Jesus all the time.”

With a casual read of Revelation, it sure sounds like the wrath of the Lambkin is harsh to the extreme.

Is it ironic that the lamb looks to be wrathful and violent? Or is everything intentionally oxymoronic to draw attention to the actual underlying question at hand—Is God Good? As regards matters of the heart, there is an urgent need to settle this question with the following:

• A review of the Lamb’s Teaching; and
• A review of the end of Revelation to see how this great apocalyptic battle ends.

Teaching of the Lambkin

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. (John 12:46-‑47)

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matthew 38‑39)

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5 43‑45a)

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

Jesus taught us to overcome evil with good, to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Do none of these gospel teachings apply to the Teacher? Did the One Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever change his mind? Did he just get so angry that he couldn’t help Himself? Does the Prince of Peace make war with aggression and violence? Absolutely not!

Scripture presents Jesus as a model for us to follow; Jesus said, “Follow me.” Paul writes, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” All the violence in Revelation seems too confusing to come from the One who is Truth and Grace.

So what’s going on here?!

Let’s consider this depiction of Jesus from Revelation:

Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. (Revelation 19:15)

While the fury and wrath of Almighty God sounds threatening, the image of the sword coming out of Jesus’ mouth is apocalyptic hyperbole for the powerful words of the Spirit, not violent acts of the flesh.

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)

Instead of violently killing people with a sword, Jesus is “’killing‘ them with kindness.” Could it be that the “wrath” people feel self-inflicted?

Perhaps The Lambkin of God is a fulfillment of this prophetic utterance from a Psalm of David:

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants

You have ordained strength,

Because of Your enemies,

That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

(Psalms 8:2 NKJV)

In the overwhelming light of God’s goodness, do people remain silent out of guilt? Or are they overwhelmed by God’s love despite their feelings of guilt?”

For you classic Rock and Roll fans, here’s a love song from Roberta Flack to illustrate a loving, non-violent “wrath”:

He sang as if he knew me in all my dark despair

And then he looked right through me as if I wasn’t there

And he just kept on singing, singing clear and strong

Strumming my pain with his fingers

Singing my life with his words

Killing me softly with his song

Telling my whole life with his words

Killing me softly with his song

The love of God is beautifully entwined in his Being. The wrath of the Father is against the injustices of this world, not His children. His relationship with you is fully captured in the statement that God IS Love. The two greatest commandments are all about love.

Though the wisdom of God is unfathomable for us humans, God’s morality of God is actually simple. It can be addressed with one simple question: What is the most loving thing to do? That’s what God does. That’s who God is.

How do we accomplish the second greatest commandment to love others as we love ourselves? Answering questions with questions—How can we love ourselves if we don’t receive God’s love and forgiveness? How do we accomplish the second greatest commandment?—What is the most loving thing to do? Let that become who we are.

Why do adults seem to complicate things? All we need to do is accept a simple truth with a simple belief and faith of a child. And that truth is…

God loves you! God loves all. And because He loves all, He saves all who come to Him.

Our transformation has already begun. “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17)

Please stay tuned to see how the great battle between Christ and Christ-less religion ends in the climatic conclusion of the concluding book of the Bible.

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Steve Orr writes to us from Montana. After working in the mecca of technology, Steve traded the rat race of Silicon Valley for the adventures of High Tech in Big Sky Country. Steve has an MBA with experience in accounting, finance, technology, and management. He occasionally writes a little software code, but mostly he likes writing about Matters of the Heart.

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