Luke 9:56 states:

> "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

This is contrasted with Revelation 19:11, where the returning Christ is described as judging and making war in righteousness. Critics argue the apocalyptic violence of Revelation contradicts the peaceful mission statement in Luke.

This creates a false contradiction by conflating the distinct phases of orthodox Christian eschatology. Luke refers explicitly to the purpose of Jesus' first advent—His earthly ministry of redemption and atonement. Revelation describes His second advent, which functions as the final, eschatological culmination of divine justice and judgment upon unrepentant evil.

Problem: Throughout the Gospels Christ is presented as merciful, healing the sick, blessing the poor, comforting the sorrowing, and forgiving sinners (cf. Luke 9:56; 19:10). But the Book of Revelation speaks of “the wrath of the Lamb” (6:16) and the judgment of Christ on the whole world (Rev. 19:11–15).

Solution: Often the differences in these passages is due to their reference to different times in Jesus’ work on earth, namely, His first coming versus His second coming. His first coming was primarily a mission of mercy. His second coming, however, will be initially one of wrath. He who died as a Lamb (John 1:29) will also return as a Lion (Rev. 5:5). During His first coming, Jesus was a bruised reed (Isa. 42:3), but at His second coming He will rule with an iron rod (Ps. 2:9).

At other times, Jesus’ different attitudes and actions were simply due to the fact that they were directed at different people or conditions. For example, even during His first coming Jesus was angry with hypocrites (Matt. 23) and indignant with those who had commercialized the house of God (John 2). He cursed the fig tree, which symbolized the fruitless nation of Israel that rejected their Messiah (Matt. 21:19). At all times, Jesus is merciful to the penitent and wrathful to the impenitent.