Revelation 19:11-21 Series

Revelation 19:11-21

The war has been won but now those who are the enemies of God who are still alive will be dealt with. This section to me can be a little confusing in a couple of parts and I will do my best to work through these sections.

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

Now this doesn't say that the person on the horse is Jesus by there are many descriptions given to this rider that it is more than obvious that it is Jesus.

Here are a few: Faithful and True, in righteousness he judges, he is called The Word of God, King of kings and Lord of lords.

There is no doubt this is Jesus.

12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems (crowns), and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

(12) Jesus wearing many crowns I would say is because of his defeat of Satan and his followers. A single crown of thorns for his victorious work on the cross and now many crowns for his victory here. It seems fitting.

(13) He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood ~ A question here is who's blood is this? Is it the martyrs? Is it the enemy he Just defeated? In Verse 15 jus ahead it says “ He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God” giving us the answer that it is God's enemies.

Isaiah 63:2-4 ~ Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress? 3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. 4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.

A winepress if you can imagine is a contraption with a tub that you fill with grapes, and you screw down this circular board and as it is lowered more and more crushes the grapes squeezing out the juice from the grapes to then be used to make into wine.

So this reference is one that tells us that Jesus crushed his enemy. That gives us a pretty clear description of Jesus' victory I would say.

14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The armies of heaven, who are these? I would say it is a mixture of a few. It is I am sure the angels, I would also say it is the saints who have passed on or the believers and martyrs, I would also say it is us the true believers who are still alive. Back in Revelation 17:14 ~ They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

I have said this before we as believers need to start understanding who we are, we are warriors for Christ. And being warriors for Christ we need to prepare ourselves constantly.

Ephesians 6:13-18 ~ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

The “gospel of peace” some would say see we need to be peaceful and I would say yes we need to be peaceful when at all possible or we need to make peace happen or create peace when there isn't.