The King Is Coming

We recognize the many Old Testament prophecies describing the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Even historians give recognition to the fact that Jesus of Nazareth did indeed come to this world and do many miracles.

However, the Old and New Testament actually contain more prophecies concerning Christ’s second coming than even of His first coming. If His first coming, with a lesser amount of prophecies occurred, then the Bible provides us an even greater guarantee that Jesus Christ will come again.

Today’s message finally comes to that glorious event in which we can behold, along with John, Christ’s second coming. You will find this in Revelation 19.11-21. Whether online or here in person, look at the following statement and recognize the absoluteness of this truth with the resulting two options available to all humanity.

All humanity will meet the King. Be sure to meet Him as your Savior and not your judge.

The King Will Come In Glory.

Revelation 19:11–16 (NASB95)

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

In these verses, we see a description of Jesus as He comes to this earth. This white horse was traditionally ridden by Roman generals when they paraded in victory through Rome. The white horse upon which Christ is riding, represents purity and victory. This is true only, because the rider, Christ Himself, is faithful and true. Christ is faithful to all His promises. His words are always true. It is very telling when individuals pick and choose what things He says are true to them. What Christ says in His Word is always true, regardless of what people may think about it. When Christ comes to judge, you can be assured that His decisions will not be arbitrary and random. Neither will He haphazardly make war. It will all be based upon truth and justice and faithfulness.

Christ’s eyes are a flame of fire. His is able to know every single person’s thoughts; He is omniscient, or al-knowing. The diadems or crowns on His head show that He is not only the judge for all the unbelievers, but He is King over all.

Verse 13 states that He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood . . . What a sobering, yet wonder-filled reminder for those of us who belong to God. It is Christ’s shed blood that paid the penalty for your sins and mine.

The verse goes on to say that His name is called the Word of God. Does that not sound like something we’ve read from John 1.1? “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Christ Himself, as the Word of God, is the revelation of God to man.

Many have suggested that the armies which are in heaven would be the church. Based upon other passages in Revelation and Daniel, the Tribulation believers and Old Testament saints are probably included. There are a few that believe them to be angels, however, there is no reason for angels to be dressed in fine line, white and clean.

Verse 15 states From His mouth comes a sharp sword. Notice that this is the only weapon to be seen and is carried by Christ. We are not needed to do battle. It is God’s Word which will destroy the nations. The sword in the New Testament is almost always to be understood as God’s Word. It stands impenetrable and impossible to be opposed successfully. Here it is not used defensively, but in active judgment. It indeed cuts down to the very bone and marrow. It exposes humanity’s sin with no defenses left.

My friends, Christ is indeed theKing of Kings, and Lord of Lords, as described in the last part of verse16.

Friends, it doesn’t matter what any persons opinion is about Christ. The hard truth of the matter is that He is and will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords, regardless of your personal preferences. You may feel that this Jesus interferes with your philosophy or your style of living. It doesn’t matter, it won’t change the facts. In order to enter heaven, one must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A person must recognize that when He shed His blood on the cross, it was not just a sentimental gesture. He did that to pay the penalty for our sins. Which means that we have to admit that we are sinners. We must repent of our sins and accept what Jesus has done for us; that which nobody else could do. The Bible states that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Only the perfect Son of God, Jesus Christ, could do that.

Yes, Jesus will indeed come in glory. But how will you see Him? Will you be terrified in His presence, knowing that you chose to not believe and are therefore self-condemned? Or will you rejoice because you have surrendered to Him as your Lord and Savior.

All humanity will meet the King. Be sure to meet Him as your Savior and not your judge.

The King Will Come In Victory.

Revelation 19:17–18 (NASB95)

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”

The scene changes somewhat as John gives us a perspective on what will happen when Christ returns to earth. He sees an angel standing in the sun, which is like saying that the angel was in front of the sun, making a profound statement. The statement is that all of the world’s powers and armies are about to be destroyed. This destruction of the world’s military and political forces will be so intense that the birds of the air will come to eat the flesh of those who are killed because they opposed Christ.

You will remember that the Tribulation Period is for a total of seven years, with the last 3 1/2 years being the most intense. This last battle that is taking place, in which Christ defeats His enemies, is not a long, drawn-out process. The wording appears to imply that this is either a brief battle or basically not even a battle. This makes sense, because the battle has already been won at the cross.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we don’t have to sit on pins and needles, just wondering what the final outcome is going to be? We don’t have to fret or wish or hope. It is a guarantee. When Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, this proved that the Father accepted His death for us. His sacrifice was sufficient; it was enough. We have the victory, through Jesus Christ, over death and the grave. We have the victory, through Jesus Christ, over all of the temptations that may come our way today and tomorrow and in the distant future. We know that one day we will see Jesus face to face We know that through Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors. How? Because Jesus has already conquered death and has defeated Satan at Calvary’s cross.

However, if you are one of those who are just going through the motions in your life on this earth, this information means absolutely nothing to you. If you are trying to simply live a good life and hope that is enough, you will be sorely disappointed. You must understand, that if this describes you, then Christ will indeed come in victory, but that means that you will be among the defeated. What a horrible scenario to be eternally separated from Christ! What a tragedy to have spent your life with loved ones on earth, never to see them in eternity, because of your misplaced pride and refusal to give your life to Christ.

All humanity will meet the King. Be sure to meet Him as your Savior and not your judge.

The King Will Come In Judgment.

Revelation 19:19–21 (NASB95)

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

It appears, from these verses, that the leadership which was headed by the antichrist and the false prophet, was totally defeated.

According to verse 20, the antichrist and the false prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire. We also understand that all who oppose Christ and have rejected Him will be cast into the lake of fire later, along with Satan. Every single person who has not allowed Christ to be their Lord and Savior will experience this ultimate judgment. However, these two individuals, because of their blatant leadership in trying to lead people to complete destruction by refusing God will experience this torment for a longer duration.

As we read verse 21, we might wonder about the gruesomeness of it. Yet, what a powerful reminder to us of what Paul talks about in Romans 6.23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There may be pleasure in sin for a little while, but it is not worth the eternal death that will come with it. My friends, if you are among those that only has judgment to look forward to, why not experience the joy that can be yours when you turn your life over to Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

My friends, as we come to the last few sections of Revelation, I find myself torn. It has been a struggle to preach through the Tribulation Period, trying to find application that fits the context of the passages. I have been excited to be able to get close to the end where we see the wonderful celebration and victory that is ours. Yet, when I think about the possibility that there may be those who are within the sound of my voice who are not part of God’s family, my heart aches.

Some would classify themselves as good people and are actually quite fun to be around. Some can even quote Bible verses and are in church whenever they can be. Yet, they have not made that decision to turn their lives completely over to Jesus Christ.

If you find yourself fitting that description, or you’re not even certain about your eternal destiny, then you need to make a choice today. Choose to make sure you know that you belong to Jesus Christ. If you’re not sure of your salvation, or don’t know if you would even be in heaven if you were to die today, then you need to make certain that your spiritual house is in order.

Folks, Satan wants you to feel comfortable; that there is really no hurry. He doesn’t want you to become a child of God and have eternal life.

My friends, Christ wants you to have life and have it more abundantly. Christ wants to give you a joy and a peace that are beyond all comprehension. Christ wants you to spend eternity with Him.

All humanity will meet the King. Be sure to meet Him as your Savior and not your judge.

Romans 13.12-14: “The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”