Sermon Central
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Christ The Victorious Warrior And King Of Kings Series
Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 6, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: Heaven opens and Jesus appears, this time not as a Lamb, but as a warrior on a white horse (symbolizing victory). Jesus came first as a Lamb to be a sacrifice for sin, but He will return as a Conqueror and King to execute judgment.
Book of Revelation Commentary
Tom Lowe
8/23/17
Lesson: IV.D.1: Christ the Victorious Warrior and King of Kings
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.
Introduction
John’s vision shifts again. These verses introduce that great event (the apocalypse of Jesus Christ) anticipated for centuries and about which the Old Testament prophets wrote. It is the golden age on earth when all creation shall be subject to its Creator and Redeemer. But before He reigns He must subdue every enemy and opposing force. The conflict of Armageddon is about to occur. Up to this point Christ has been directing earth’s judgments from His throne in Heaven, but now He leaves heaven and descends to earth for the purpose of completing the work of judgment before He establishes His millennial Kingdom.
Heaven opens and Jesus appears, this time not as a Lamb, but as a warrior on a white horse (symbolizing victory). Jesus came first as a Lamb to be a sacrifice for sin, but He will return as a Conqueror and King to execute judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10{1]). The name of the rider was “Faithful and True.” No one but the Lord Jesus Christ could bear that title. He was faithful to the Father in every minute detail and He is the Truth.
His first coming brought forgiveness, his second will bring judgment. He is coming to settle the destinies of the world and its inhabitants. The battle lines have now been drawn between God and evil, and the world is waiting for the King to ride onto the field.
It is a war to put down evil and enthrone righteousness on earth, in order that there may be peace on earth, goodwill toward man, and the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters now cover the sea. Jesus is about to prepare the earth for the reign of righteousness promised—but up to this point never fulfilled. The night Jesus was born the angels announced the birth of a King, and added, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” That has never been, but IT WILL BE when King Jesus puts down the armies of Antichrist, sits on the throne of His father David, and reins in righteousness.
Commentary
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
This is not His coming in the air to receive His church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), for that coming took place at the beginning of the book. This is His coming to the earth with His church (This is His Second Coming—the moment God’s people had been waiting for.) to deal with His foes by force of arms and to impose upon mankind an era of peace. We should note what we are told about His nature. John says “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” This is the great unveiling! Christ’s return will be unmistakable; heaven will be standing open! The Lord Jesus is coming to earth again; not with HIS glory veiled as when He came the first time, but in pomp and power, in marital splendor, with HIS banners of war unfurled.
Christ said, “And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14: 62).
Christ said, “….But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Luke 24:30).
An angel told the disciples, “Men of Galilee….why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11).
