Revelation 19:11-21
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
Devotion
John’s vision of the last days now turns a corner. John now writes about the return of the King of kings to rule and reign in righteousness. In this chapter, John writes about two future events: the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Return of Christ to establish His kingdom here on earth.
This chapter begins with a series of hallelujahs and ends with the opening of hell. Two great suppers are recorded in this chapter: the marriage supper of the Lamb and the feast of carrion after the end of the war of Armageddon.
In verses eleven and twelve, we get a glimpse of a thrilling scene. This is the great climactic event toward which all things in this world are moving today. We are given a peek at the Second Coming of Christ. Chapters six through eighteen describe the Great Tribulation and chapter nineteen records the end of this terrible time period. This all ends when Christ returns to establish His kingdom.
The contrast to His first coming is obvious. He entered the world the first time as a meek and lowly Savior. The first time He came as the suffering servant to redeem lost humanity. In His second coming, we see Him coming in great glory. In His second coming, we will see the final manifestation of God’s wrath upon an unbelieving and sinful world. Jesus will defeat all unrighteousness before He establishes His kingdom in righteousness. Written on His robe is the title: “King of kings and Lord of lords.” The Lamb of God will now be seen as the Most High King! The attributes of God that were veiled in His first coming will be clearly seen and known at His second coming.
In verses seventeen and eighteen, we are given a short but graphic description of the end of the war of Armageddon. These verses show how much God is revolted by man’s sin and rebellious attitude. This scene reveals the true condition of the heart of mankind.
In verses nineteen through twenty-one, we see all the participants on the battlefield as the final battle is about to take place. Satan has gathered all his forces, demonic and human, to make war against the Son of God. This will be the shortest battle in human history. Right up until the end, the Antichrist and the false prophet will defy God. The outcome is inevitable. Regarding this final battle, G. Campbell Morgan writes, “This is the hour when heaven is touching earth, and the victory is with heaven.”
It is fitting that the two cohorts of Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet, are the first two combatants to be cast into “the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” The great victory has been won! The power of evil has been broken. The King has come!
Questions to Ponder
How do you feel about this final victory over evil? The Rider on the white horse is referred to as “Faithful and True.” How does this contrast with Satan and his minions? The Scripture says, “With justice, He judges and makes war.” How does this differ from Christ’s first coming? Have you acknowledged Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords?
Prayer Points
- Praise the Lord as King of kings, the Lamb of God, Son of God, faithful, and true.
- 1 Peter 4:7 states the end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
- Pray for a clear mind and to be self-controlled so you can pray.
Suggested Prayer
Lord God Almighty, You are faithful and true, and I pray for all of us who are yours to be faithful and firm in You and Your ways. I ask, Lord, that we would make You known to those around us. Bring salvation to those who we are praying for. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.