After This - The Coming (Part 1)

“After This – The Coming”

Revelation 19:11-16

The greatest entrance of all time will take place soon, and we can read about it in Rev. 19:11-16 (let’s read it together - on the screen). There has never been, nor will there ever be, a more grand appearing, a more grand entrance what we read about here in Revelation 19. This is the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, when He will come back to earth to finally be the King of kings and Lord of lords. Unlike His first coming, there will be no question of His power and dominion at the 2nd Coming. Listen to some of the contrasts between His first coming and second coming (read).

This description in Revelation 19 is exciting. He will come back to the earth as He deserves – in power and in glory. I am overwhelmed as I imagine what the scene will be like, and I am drawn to the titles that John gives to Jesus as He comes back. John is a man who loves titles. In each of his books – the gospel of John, 1-3 John, and Revelation - he gives Jesus wonderful titles. The titles John ascribes to Jesus at His coming are Faithful and True, the Word of God, King of kings and Lord of lords, even an unknown name – and each title reveals a quality or characteristic about Jesus Christ. So let’s focus on the titles of Jesus Christ here in Revelation 19 and examine their significance to us today.

Title – “Faithful and True” – Rev. 19:11

There are only two times we see this title in the Bible, and both are used in the book of Revelation – once at the beginning and once here in Revelation 19 at the end. Revelation 1 begins with John seeing God in all His glory, and God tells John in chapters 2-3 to write down everything He sees and send it to seven actual churches located in Asia Minor. Each of these seven churches is addressed by God Himself in chapters 2-3, as God inventories each one and reveals what He has found.

While we could spend hours on each church, I want to focus on the last church God addresses - the church of Laodicea. Let’s read Rev. 3:14 (on screen-read). Did you notice the titles given to Jesus? He is the “faithful and true witness.” This is the same title as in Revelation 19. What Jesus is about to say is why He is called “faithful and true.” Let’s keep reading – vs.15-22 (read – on screen).

The Faithful and True Witness exposes the church here in Rev. 3, and He is the same One who comes back in Rev. 19. Notice the scathing remarks Jesus Christ makes about this church:

• You are lukewarm – I’m going to spit you out.

• You say you are rich – but you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.

What He told the church then is what we need to hear now. Jesus Christ, the faithful and true Witness, sees the church for what it really is. This Laodicean church was so content and complacent and self-sufficient. But when the One who is Faithful and True looks in, He exposes the church – it was destitute and completely revolting to God.

The two major descriptions of this church:

Lukewarm - “This state refers to those who have manifested some interest in the things of God. They may be professing Christians who attend church but have fallen far short of a true testimony for Christ and whose attitude and actions raise questions concerning the reality of their spiritual life. They have been touched by the Gospel, but it is not clear whether they really belong to Christ.” (The Revelation of Jesus Christ, John Walvoord, p.92) Think of lukewarm coffee – if you have ever tasted (talk about coffee – hot, ice – no one wants tepid coffee). You spit it out. That’s what God thinks about tepid Christianity.

Wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked – This church and the people thought they had all they needed in Christ. They were content to be religious, but God saw right through them. They needed spiritual healing.

God still investigates and sees through us today. Verse 22 is so important because it makes these remarks applicable to us today - “ANYONE who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” What is written applies to us, and we should take whatever instruction/warning is given.

Imagine God taking an inventory of your life today. What would God say about you? Or what He would say about us as a church? God doesn’t play our games. God is not a politician that can be schmoozed. He desires truth – as He is the Faithful and True One. As a church, God is delighted when we are humble and submissive to Him, when we sincerely seek Him and allow Him to be in control. He is drawn to that.