“When Jesus’ second coming bodily to rule and judge the Earth is denied, there is no salvation.”

 

Again, my dear, while Paul would feebly admit that this might be so – and while the author of the book of Revelation (who scholars agree was not John the disciple, by the way) would crassly proclaim his allegiance with this bold statement as well, Jesus most definitely would not.  Indeed, there are almost no similarities at all between Jesus Christ as read in the Gospels and the “Jesus Christ” proclaimed by the fallen “Angel of the Lord” in the book of Revelation.  Indeed, when earnest students of the Scriptures have the humility to compare & contrast the two, they will see only contradictions & conflict.  And as such, Revelation should be give more than a grain of salt – indeed, if read literally, it should be seen as the blasphemous tome it more than seems to be! … That said, please again consider the following biblical references that once more prove the same:

 

*In Revelation 1:6, we see a direct upholding of the Old Testament passage of  Daniel 7:13-14 — whereas in Matthew 4:8-10 we see Jesus rejecting the very same gifts that the Messiah receives in Daniel 7:14.

 

*In the same introductory passage of Revelation we also read that “all tribes of the earth will wail” — and yet Jesus in the Gospels made it clear that he came to bring us contentment and peace, “that [our] Joy might be complete.” (John 15:11).

 

*In Revelation 1:8 & Revelation 1:17 we see “Jesus” giving glory to himself as “the 1^st and the last” — whereas in the Gospels, Jesus only gives glory to God the Father (see Mark 10:18, John 5:41, John 7:16, John 8:50-54, John 12:44 et al).

 

*In Revelation 1:13 “the Son of Man” is used to refer to the lone Messiah — while in the Gospels, Jesus uses “the Son of Man” to refer to all of humanity (see Matthew 5:45 et al).

 

*In Revelation 1:16 & Revelation 2:12 the mouth of “Jesus” is referred to as a “2-edged sword” — whereas in the Gospels, Jesus uses this term to describe the Word of a Just and all-Loving God (see Matthew 10:34).

 

*Revelation 1:18 shows “Jesus” holding the keys to death — whereas in the Gospels we see Jesus holding the keys to Life (see Matthew 19:17, Matthew 19:29 & Matthew 22:32).

 

*Revelation 2:1+ shows “Jesus” condemning many members in the seven churches mentioned therein —  whereas in the Gospels Jesus makes it repeatedly clear that he would never judge anyone (see John 3:17, John 12:47, Matthew 8:11, Luke 6:35-36 et al).

 

*In Revelation 2:4 we see “Jesus” desiring to be loved by the Ephesians — whereas in the Gospels, Jesus openly refuses the glory of all other humans (see John 5:41).

 

*Revelation 2:6 has “Jesus” openly hating the Nicolaitans — and yet Jesus in the Gospels clearly champions a LOVE that is “perfect [and therefore fully without condition or limitation], just as his Father’s Love was [and still is] perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

 

*Revelation 2:7 shows “Jesus” claiming  authority over the Tree of Life (see Genesis 3:24) — and yet in the Gospels Jesus openly states that he only abides in the Will of God (see John 5:30, Luke 22:42 et al).

*Revelation 2:14 & Revelation 2:20 both show “Jesus” rebuking others for eating foods that have already been sacrificed to idols – whereas Jesus in the Gospels made it quite clear that “Whatever goes into a man from the outside cannot defile him.” (see Matthew 15:17-18 & Mark 7:14-20)

 

*In those same two verses (Revelation 2:14 & Revelation 2:20) the book of Revelation shows “Jesus” condemning the act of fornication — whereas in the Gospels Jesus only admonished others gently regarding the sexual act (see Matthew 19:11-12).

 

*Revelation 2:16 has “Jesus” claiming to “make war with my mouth” — whereas the gentle Jesus of the Gospels told us to “Pray for those who persecute” us, and “Love [our] enemies” (see Matthew 5:43-48 et al).

 

*Revelation 2:19 has “Jesus” saying that “the last [will be] more than the first” — whereas Jesus in the Gospels very clearly said that “the last shall be first, and the first shall be last” (see Matthew 19:30 & Matthew 20:16, Mark 9:35 & Mark 10:31 and Luke 13:30).

 

*Revelation 2:22 shows “Jesus” punishing others with illness — whereas the Jesus of the Gospels is constantly portrayed as a healer (see Mark 1:40-42, Mark 3:1-5, Mark 6:56 et al).

 

*Revelation 2:23 has “Jesus” threatening to “strike her children dead” — whereas the Jesus of the Gospels is always seen as one who reveres & cherishes & honors children (see Mark 9:37, Mark 10:14 et al).

 

*We see “Jesus” “giving authority over the nations” in Revelation 2:26 — whereas Jesus in the Gospels very clearly stated “to the Emperor the things that are the Emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  (see Mark 12:17, Matthew 22:21 & Luke 20:25)

 

*Revelation 2:27 (along with Revelation 12:5, & Revelation 19:15) has “Jesus” threatening to “rule them with an iron rod” — whereas Jesus in the Gospels simply wants us all to “be merciful as the Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36).

 

*Revelation 3:7 (also Revelation 22:16) notes that “Jesus” possesses “the key of David” — whereas Jesus in the Gospels repeatedly tells others that he is not the Davidian Messiah (see John 7:42 + Mark 12:35-37 + Matthew 2:23 et al).

 

*Revelation 3:10 has “Jesus” informing us that some will be kept from the upcoming time of trial — whereas Jesus in the Gospels makes it quite clear that said “time of trial” is already Here & Now, fully viable in every single present moment of every single person’s life (see John 4:23-24, John 4:35-36, John 5:17, John 5:22-23 et al).

 

*In Revelation 4:3 we see that Heaven is comprised of precious gems — whereas in the Gospels, Jesus makes it clear that Heaven is not a place of material wealth at all (see Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 6:25, Matthew 6:33 + Luke 17:20-21 et al).

 

*In Revelation 5:7-8 we see “Jesus” opening a “Scroll of Doom” — whereas in the Gospels, Jesus reads from a scroll of liberation (see Luke 4:18).

 

*In Revelation 5:12-13 (and also Revelation 19:16) we see “the lamb” of “Jesus” receiving great power & great glory — whereas in the Gospels, Jesus rejects all such false gifts (see John 6:15 + Matthew 4:8-10).

 

*Revelation 7:4-8 notes that only 144,000 Jews will be ultimately saved — whereas  in the Gospels Jesus notes on more than one occasion that everybody will ultimately attain Salvation (see Mark 8:18-21, Mark 9:49, Matthew 18:14, Matthew 18:22, Luke 3:6, Luke 20:38, John 1:9, John 6:45, John 12:32, John 12:47 et al).

 

*Revelation 11:18 shows “Jesus” judging the dead and rewarding his worshipers — whereas the Jesus of the Gospels noted “I do not judge anyone” (see John 8:15 + John 12:47) and gave his disciples the honor of serving others as their only “reward” (see John 13:15-17, John 15:17, Matthew 10:39 et al).

 

*Revelation 14:7 shows the “eternal gospel” of “Jesus” as being one of fearful worship of God – whereas Jesus in the Gospel notes that his “Good News” is A) that Heaven is already “at hand” (see Matthew 10:7 + Luke 17:20-21) … and B) that this “Kingdom of Heaven” can be continually accessed via acts of selfless Love towards — & self-sacrificial service for — others (see Matthew 24:12-14).

 

*Revelation 14:10 (along with Revelation 14:19, Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 16:1, Revelation 19:15 & Revelation 20:10) speaks of a God of great wrath & harsh judgment — whereas Jesus in the Gospels speaks of a divine Father of perfect Love (Matthew 5:48), amazing Mercy (Luke 6:36) and limitless Forgiveness (Matthew 18:22).

 

*In Revelation 16:17 we see the 7^th “Angel” shouting “It is done” at the end of a time of mass destruction — whereas in the Gospels Jesus utters “It is accomplished” at the end of his ministry of humble reconciliation & all-encompassing Peace (see John 19:30 + Isaiah 2:4 et al).

 

*Revelation 16:19 shows us God’s cup of wrath — whereas Jesus in the Gospels speaks of a cup of selfless service & divine Love (see Matthew 20:22-23, Matthew 26:42, Mark 14:36 & Luke 22:20 et al).

 

*Revelation 18:8 (also Revelation 19:2-3) shows God to be a judger of men & women — whereas Jesus in the Gospels notes that, “The Father judges no one” (see John 5:22 – see also John 8:15, John 10:38, John 11:41-42, John 12:26, John 12:47-48 et al).

 

*Revelation 19:7 speaks of “the marriage of the Lamb” — whereas in the Gospels Jesus makes it perfectly clear that “For the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage.” (see Matthew 22:30, Mark 12:25 & Luke 20:34-35)

 

*In Revelation 19:9 we see that the “marriage banquet” is an exclusive affair — whereas Jesus noted in the Gospels that his banquet would be open to everyone (see Matthew 22:2-9 et al).

 

*Revelation 19:11 shows “Jesus” mounted on a steed of power; a white war horse — whereas Jesus in the Gospels rode a humble donkey (see Matthew 21:5-7, Mark 11:1-7, Luke 19:30-35 & John 12:14).

 

*In Revelation 19:13 “Jesus” is equated with the Word of God — whereas in the Gospels Jesus made it very clear that he was a fully separate and fully independent relayer of that Word (see John 12:48 + John 1:1-14).

 

*Revelation 21:10 & Revelation 21:25 show Heaven (the “New Jerusalem”) to have 12 portals whose gates are always open — whereas Jesus in the Gospels told us that Heaven’s salvation was attainable only via a single Narrow Way (see Matthew 7:14), and that one must knock to enter upon arrival (see Matthew 7:7-8).

 

*Revelation 21:16 shows Heaven (again, the “New Jerusalem”) to a place of grandiose splendor — whereas Jesus in the Gospels notes that Heaven is humble & miniscule & mundane & subtle & internal (see Matthew 13:31-33, Mark 4:3-32 & Luke 13:18-21) …

 

*In Revelation 21:21 we see that Heaven has 12 pearls — whereas Jesus makes it clear in the Gospels that there is only one Great Pearl (see Matthew 13:45-46).

 

*Revelation 21:27 notes that those who are “unclean” may not enter Heaven, and verse 22:14 notes as well that blessed are those wearing robes that have been cleansed — whereas Jesus in the Gospels openly challenged all such outdated notions of religious cleanliness (see Matthew 15:12-20 et al), and made it very clear as well that it is far more important for each of us to clean the inside of our own “cups” before we speak of the cleanliness of the chalices of others  (see Matthew 23:25-26 & Luke 11:39 et al).

“Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a colt – the foal of a donkey.”
~ Zecheriah 9:9

 

Filed under: Burnishing Bigotry by Scaughdt