Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. An He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16
The One who ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and had been seated at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 8:1, 1Peter 3:22) will return to take back the earth from the unlawful ruler, and usurper Satan, and establish His kingdom (Revelation 5:1-10). The nature of this event depicts the difference from the Rapture of the church. At the Rapture, Christ meets His own in the air—(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). And in this event He comes with His church back to the earth. Also, at the Rapture there is no judgment, in this event it is all judgment. This event is preceded by darkness, described by the darkened sun, moon gone out, stars falling from the sky, smoke and darkness fallen upon the earth in judgment (Read Revelation 16:8- 21). This is all contrast with the brilliance and blinding glory of Christ’s return to the earth.
White horse—In the Roman triumphal processions, the victorious general rode a white war horse up the Via Sacra to the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill. Jesus’ first coming was in humility as prophesied lowly on a colt of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Yet, we read in John’s revelation giving to him by the Lord, Himself; Portrays Jesus as the conqueror on His war horse, coming purposeful to destroy the wicked and to overthrow the Antichrist who will be ruling the earth, and Satan, and to take control of the earth (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Faithful and True—True to His word, Jesus will return one day to the earth, and in righteousness He will bring forth judgment. God’s patience will have reached it’s point of judgment, and has given all authority of this judgment over to Jesus Christ—For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:22-23). This so solidifies why Christ could never merely be a prophet, or ambassador who is enacting in the name of a monarch. But this passage from John gives Jesus full and complete equality with the Father. And thus full and complete power to enact the coming judgment upon all those on the earth who refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ, as God’s only begotten Son who died for the sins of all of mankind. So by the rejection of the Son, people are blaspheming the Holy Spirit’s witness of God the Father, who sent us His Son, to take away our sins by taking our place and dying on the cross for us. An Amazing reality when we see all that God has gone through, so we will not have to face judgment for our sins.
His eyes were a flame of fire—Nothing escapes the penetrating vision of Jesus Christ, who sees all and will judge righteously with just and accurate results. There are things you or I will never be able to comprehend, and we read, even the glorified saints will not be able to comprehend the name written on Him, but only Himself.
Robed dipped in blood—This will not be from the battle of Armageddon, which will not have begun yet, Christ’s blood-splattered garments symbolize the great battles He has already fought against sin, Satan, and death, and been stained with blood of His enemies.
The Word of God—Only John uses this title for the Lord. As the Word of God, Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15); the express image of His person (Hebrews 1:3), and the final revelation from God. We will be with Him when He comes back, as the armies of heaven—Composed of the church (v.8), tribulation saints (7:13), OT believers (Jude 14; Daniel 12:1-2), and even the angels (Matthew 25:31). All of the Lord’s people will return with Him, not to help Him in battle, He doesn’t need our help. But it is so we will also reign with Christ after He defeats His enemies.
Sharp Sword—This represents the sharp and swift judgment of Christ’s power to kill His enemies (Hebrews 4:12-13). That the sword comes from His mouth indicates the battle is won by Him bringing forth judgment by speaking out against the unrighteous. In history, a king’s proclamation was all that was needed to bring forth judgment. In this case, Jesus, is all knowing and without equal, and brings judgment to the earth for its rebellion towards God. Who is longsuffering, but now has decided to act swiftly and will cause the earth’s inhabitants to fear the oncoming judgment (rod of iron).
On His thigh a name—Jesus will wear a banner across His robe and down His thigh with the title emblazoned on it that emphasizes His absolute sovereignty over all human rulers of all time, and His name that is above all names revealed to all of mankind on the earth.
Beloved friend, Paul wrote to the church in Colosse, Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:3-4). This is what Paul was reminding them, In spite of all that is going on all around them, don’t just focus on these things, but rather, set your mind on Christ, on heavenly things, which is really where your lives are now that you are born again. That is really good news for us as well today. Looking at our world’s increasing problems and the division of all of it’s inhabitants, our lives can become greatly stressed by all it’s uncertainties about the upcoming future. But if you are a Christian, you have died to those uncertainties, it is no longer your identity nor your future. For you have died to this world, and you are now alive in Christ Jesus, who is your life now. Suddenly realizing, that my future citizenship is in heaven, let these thoughts enable you to use an urgency if necessary, to let others know of your relationship to Jesus Christ. It is truly the only way of escaping the upcoming judgment to this earth and all of its unrighteous and wickedly rebellious people who will be one day be judged for their rejection of Christ. That is certain, but what is uncertain, is if all the people and loved ones you and I know, will all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and receive His offer of salvation? That is where you and I can spend the rest of our lives telling others, and by letting them see His life in us. Faithful and True is our Lord, who will empower you!
May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!
