Revelation 1:16 speaks of Jesus as having a sharp two-edged sword coming out of his mouth. In 19:15, Jesus comes riding on a white horse and out of His mouth proceeds a sharp sword. In Hebrews 4:12, we read that the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword. The imagery of having a sharp sword coming out of your mouth is disturbing to say the least. Like when you see those sword swallowers and you shudder to imagine how that feels. So is this what John was seeing when he was speaking of Jesus in this way? Usually you carry a sword in your hand, not your mouth!
I came across this interesting thought from the Bible Gems teaching. “The phrase “two-edged” is taken from the Greek word distomos and is unquestionably one of the oddest words in the entire New Testament. Why is it so odd? Because it is a compound of the word di, meaning two, and the word stomos, which is the Greek word for one’s mouth. Thus, when these two words are compounded into one (distomos), they describe something that is two-mouthed! Thus, the Bible refers to the Word of God repeatedly as a “two-edged sword” or, literally, a “two-mouthed sword.” The Word of God is like a sword that has two edges, cutting both ways and doing terrible damage to an aggressor. Ephesians 6:17 calls it “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
John 1 says that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Attributes of Jesus (the Word) include truth, love, mercy, and justice. So the sword coming out of the mouth of Jesus is an extension of His attributes of truth and justice … and even love … in Revelation 19. Even though he is about to bring the earth to justice and judgment, it is because of the truth He will speak, and because of His great love for humanity. Verse 15 also says that with that sword Jesus struck down the nations (brought judgment). In the beginning, God spoke the world into being. It was His word that brought creation forth. So if that sword represent the Word, I wonder if all He will do is SPEAK truth (in Revelation 19:15) and the enemy will be defeated. His sword is the fullness of truth. It is complete. Just as His Word is complete, so the work He will do at the end of days will be fully complete and finished.