2025.12.07. Sermon Notes. JESUS THE KING RETURNING IN GLORY
William Akehurst, HSWC
Scriptures: Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 19:11-21, Revelation 20:1-6, Revelation 21:1-7, Matthew 24:1-51, Matthew 24:29-31, Isaiah 2:1-22, Isaiah 65:1-25, Zechariah 14:1-21.
Acts 1:9-11 Jesus Ascends to Heaven
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
KEY WORDS: Return, Glory, King of kings, Judgment, Millennial Kingdom, New Heaven, New Earth, Victory, Authority, Resurrection, Overcomer
BIG IDEA: JESUS CHRIST, the victorious KING, will return in glory to judge the world, defeat evil, establish HIS eternal kingdom, and make all things new. HIS return is certain, visible, and powerful and brings hope and eternal life to those who are HIS.
I. THE KING REVEALED IN GLORY (Revelation 19:11-16)
Revelation 19:11-21 Christ on a White Horse
11 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. 12 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. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.
John sees heaven opened, not for blessing but for battle. JESUS appears riding a white horse a symbol of victory, purity, and conquering power.
1. HIS Names Reveal HIS Nature
• Faithful and True – HE returns exactly as promised.
• The Word of GOD – The eternal, divine expression of the Father.
• KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS – HIS supreme authority over every earthly and spiritual power.
2. HIS Appearance Reveals HIS Majesty
• Eyes like flames of fire: omniscient judgment.
• Many crowns: all authority is HIS.
• Robe dipped in blood: victory already secured through the Cross.
3. HIS Army Reveals HIS Supremacy
• Heaven’s armies follow HIM, clothed in white linen symbolizing purity and victory.
• They do not fight. The King alone defeats HIS enemies with the sword of HIS mouth - the power of HIS Word.
II. THE KING EXECUTES FINAL JUDGMENT
Revelation 19:17–21 The Beast and His Armies Defeated
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
1. The Great Supper of GOD
An angel summons birds to feast on the defeated enemies of GOD a shocking picture emphasizing the finality of divine judgment.
2. The Collapse of All Earthly Power
• The beast (Antichrist).
• The false prophet.
• The kings and armies of the world.
They unite against CHRIST but are destroyed instantly. CHRIST’s victory is effortless and absolute.
3. The Beast and False Prophet Cast Alive into the Lake of Fire
• The first to enter eternal punishment demonstrating that evil spiritual authority ends forever.
• The rest are slain by CHRIST’s Word. No rebellion can withstand the Returning KING.
III. THE KING BINDS SATAN AND ESTABLISHES THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM (Revelation 20:1-6)
Revelation 20:1-6 Satan Bound 1,000 Years
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
1. Satan Bound for 1,000 Years (20:1-3)
An angel unnamed, emphasizing that even a lesser heavenly being is stronger than Satan binds him in the abyss.
• He is restrained.
• He cannot deceive the nations.
• GOD's plan moves forward unhindered.
The purpose of the binding: To show the world what humanity is like without satanic influence yet still needing CHRIST.
2. The Reign of CHRIST and HIS Saints (20:4-6)
John sees thrones symbolic of authority.
• Those who remained faithful, including martyrs, reign with CHRIST for 1,000 years.
• This is called the First Resurrection, and those included are blessed and holy.
Characteristics of the Millennial Reign:
• Justice and righteousness flourish.
• Peace covers the earth.
• CHRIST rules from Jerusalem.
• HIS people reign (with HIM)
• Satan’s influence is absent.
It is a preview of restored creation and the fulfillment of GOD’s promises to Israel and the nations.
IV. THE KING REVEALS ETERNAL GLORY – NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH
Revelation 21:1-7 All Things Made New
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
1. A New Creation (21:1–2)
John sees a “new heaven and new earth” not patched or repaired, but completely renewed.
The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, radiant like a bride.
This represents:
• GOD’s presence.
• GOD’s beauty.
• GOD’s eternal dwelling with HIS people.
2. GOD Dwells Among HIS People (21:3-4)
The greatest promise:
• HE will dwell with them.
• GOD’s plan from Eden to eternity is fulfilled.
No more:
• Tears
• Death
• Pain
• Sorrow
• Brokenness
The old order is gone forever.
3. The One on the Throne Speaks (21:5-7)
JESUS declares:
• “Behold, I make all things new.”
• “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
• “It is done.”
HE is:
• The Alpha and Omega (Aleph veha Tav)
• Beginning and End
• Source of living water
• Rewarder of the faithful
HIS promise:
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things.”
In CHRIST, the believer’s future is secure and glorious.
REFLECT
1. Are you living in readiness for the KING’s return?
HIS coming is certain and sudden.
2. Do you live with confidence in HIS ultimate victory?
Fear loses its grip when we see CHRIST as King.
3. Is your life aligned with HIS eternal kingdom, not temporary earthly kingdoms?
4. Do you find hope in the promise that HE will make all things new?
Your present suffering will not have the final word.
5. Are you walking as an overcomer, trusting CHRIST daily?
PRAYER
LORD JESUS, KING of kings and LORD of lords,
We thank YOU that YOU will return in glory, judge evil, make all things new,
and reign forever in righteousness.
Fix our eyes on YOUR Victory.
Strengthen us to live as overcomers until the day YOU call us home or return for YOUR Church.
Come quickly, LORD JESUS. Amen.
HYMNS
The King Is Coming
122 Crown HIM with Many Crowns
Even So, Come
111 All Hail the Power of JESUS’ Name
267 Nothing but the Blood (Communion)
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Bill
