Christ's Sharp Two-edged Sword

We've all heard the saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword." This adage suggests that the independent press is more effective in governing a people than direct violence. The idea has been expressed in various forms many times. This particular form, says Wikipedia, was coined by English author Edward Buller-Lytton in his 1839 play Richelieu. 

John's Revelation says that from Jesus' mouth "came a sharp two-edged sword" (Rev. 1:16).

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The image has often been portrayed literally, but what does it mean symbolically? The phrase is found several more times in Revelation:

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. ... Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. - Rev 2:12, 16 ESV

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ... And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. - Rev 19:15, 21 ESV

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the coming Messiah as a shoot from the stump of King David's family:

. . . but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. - Isa 11:4 ESV

How does the Christ strike the earth and kill the wicked with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips? And in Revelation what is this sword of Christ's mouth that strikes down the nations? The straightforward answer is that Christ has always done everything with His Word. John wrote of this in the beginning of his Gospel. There John speaks of Christ as the Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. - John 1:1-3 ESV

That Word creates and redeems, but He also judges and condemns the wicked. When He speaks it happens. No one can resist the power of God's Word. Moreover this Word is both sharp and two-edged; it can cut in either direction. One day all will stand before Him to be judged by His Word. And His sword will bring vengeance and judgment upon those who dare to oppose Him.

Even Christ's apostles and disciples are permitted to wield that sword. Paul calls it the sword of the Spirit. It is part of the armament to be worn by soldier / disciples as they fight the devil to the death.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, - Eph 6:16-17 ESV

We believers find great security in the power of the Word. It is Christ's Word; Christ's creative Word. It is the Word that strikes down the nations and rules them with a rod of iron.

On the other hand, the believer is comforted knowing that Christ's Word accomplishes all that the Lord wishes. With His Word He called us to faith, confirms us in the faith and promises to guard us until we reach our heavenly home. The Word of our Good Shepherd brings forgiveness and the promise of life forever as well as His all-powerful and eternal protection.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. - John 10:27-29 ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. - John 15:7 ESV 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 ESV

No Peace Without Violence

All along I thought this was a season of peace on earth, good will toward men. But then I read the Gospel lesson appointed by the church for this third Advent week (Matthew 11:2-15) and am quite taken back. It's all about John the Baptist, that rough, tough, tell it like it is guy who scorned luxury to live in the desert and dine on wild honey and locusts. Some diet! This is no push-over man. He's not bent this way or that like some politicians by whatever favorable wind is blowing his way. He's a prophet, a Nahvi (Exodus 7:1), a man called by God to trumpet openly and powerfully the Word of God. And when he does violence occurs.

John's preaching out on the other side of the Jordan river caused a wave of excitement among the Jews. The crowds were longing for change and he gave them what they were asking for. He announced the imminent coming of the long-awaited Kingdom. The messianic King was in their midst and he, John, was being sent by God to announce his presence. "So get your house and your lives in order," he shouted. "Get rid of all the lies, the greed, the lust and the selfishness that fills your lives. Admit it, confess it and be cleansed from it by the water of this river. It's time for a new beginning, a new start for your lives. The Kingdom of God is upon you!"

They responded to his message by the hundreds. The wave of excitement grew until it swept across the land. This was their time. They believed it. They poured out to hear John's message, pushing, shoving, demanding and forcing John to baptize them and tell them more. Who was the Messiah? Where was he hiding? When would he appear? Would the Romans indeed be driven out? What was to happen next?

Jesus affirms John's preaching. In himself, Jesus, the Kingdom has indeed come. He is the King and not only was John his forerunner and a prophet, he was more than a prophet. He was the last of the ancient prophets to forecast the Messiah's coming. The King has arrived and John is the one to proclaim his presence with unquenchable passion.

This peace we Christians like to sing about today is also not brought about without violence. By using that peculiar word Jesus is telling us that we, like John, are called by the living and risen Christ to move out with confidence, zeal and determination to capture the world around us and those living in it for the Kingdom. In our hands is the same sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, Isaiah 49:2). With it we are indeed doing violence to the demonically controlled kingdoms of this world.

I'm all for peace, but not the make-believe kind offered by princes and politicians. The only lasting and eternal peace is the kind that comes when we accept the message of Christ the King and kneel before our him in homage and faith. The Prince of Peace has indeed come, but the peace he brings came at the cost of his violent death at the hands of adversaries who passionately hated him. The same intensity marks those of us who proclaim his coming. Through power of that Word the Holy Spirit is conquering the hearts of men and the Kingdom is being established. This is the only kind of peace that will survive into eternity.