In a vision packed with symbols, Revelation proclaimed Jesus’ final triumph over evil. Some symbols change little over time—good guys, for example, ride on white horses. Others take a bit more thought—the sword from the victor’s mouth is a symbol for the power of God’s word (cf. Hebrews 4:12). The vision used a double title—“King of Kings and Lord of Lords”—doubly inscribed (“on his robe and on his thigh”) to powerfully underline Jesus’ royalty in the universe.

• Rome happened to be in power at the time of Revelation’s writing. But Rome was hardly unique. Human rulers have often claimed divine approval for their actions (e.g. Nazi soldiers wore belt buckles that said, in German, “God is with us”). Some, like the Roman emperors, have even claimed to be divine. Scholars G. K. Beale and Sean M. McDonough said Jesus’ title “is expressing the idea of ‘ultimate ruler over all kings’ … The name is taken from Dan. 4:37 Septuagint [Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament], where it is a title for God.” The headlines continually report concerns about Vladimir Putin, various terrorist leaders and many others. Do you trust that Jesus is “king of kings” over all of them? In what ways does that trust form the basis for the hope in which we live, during Advent and all year long?