The Return

There is something special when a soldier returns home to their loved ones. I love watching videos of a soldier showing up at an event where the family does not know he or she is coming. When the family member sees the soldier for the first time, there is great joy and celebration. Their loved one has come home to them.

It can be hard to be separated from the ones we love. There is worry not knowing when or if they will return.

Last week, we looked at the joy of what it will be like when Jesus comes back for the church. Today, we will see what it will be like when Jesus returns to the Earth.

Just as the family longs to be reunited with the soldier, you and I should long for Jesus to return, make all things right with the world, and show the entire world that Jesus is King.

He comes in Power (11-14, 16)

Revelation 19:11–14 CSB

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen.

Revelation 19:16 CSB

And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The King Returns

It is always of great comfort to know that Jesus is returning as King.

The first time Jesus came humbly, born in a manger, as a Lamb who would go to the cross for our sins.

When He comes back the second time, He is coming as King; He is coming in power.

Life Application New Testament Commentary The Rider on the White Horse / 19:11–21

Jesus had come first as a Lamb to be a sacrifice for sin, but he will return as a Conqueror and King to execute judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10). Jesus’ first coming brought forgiveness; his second will bring judgment.

Jesus is coming to judge the entire world. As we will see in a few weeks, there are two judgements. There is one for those who know Christ and there is one for those who do not know Christ. Either way, all people will be judged by Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 CSB

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.

Today, we are looking at the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Listen to this overview of this event from one commentary:

Exalting Jesus in Revelation The Return of the King (Jesus Is Coming Again) (Revelation 19:11–21)

The second coming of Jesus Christ refers to the historical, visible, and bodily return of the Son of God to the earth. This return will be a great and glorious return in power. It will take place at the end of the tribulation period (Rev 6–18), and the millennial kingdom will immediately follow (Rev 20:1–6). The enemies of Christ will be totally defeated at His return.

He is coming in power and judgement.

He judges in righteousness.

It is clear to see in our world today that the system gets it wrong.

At times, the innocent go away, and the guilty get off.

In God's kingdom, Jesus will judge in a way that is good and right. His justice will be perfect.

We need to be ready.

Since we know that Jesus is coming back, we need to be ready and right with God.

It could be today, next week, next year, or next millennium.

God is loving and patient, but there is a time when it becomes too late for us to get our lives right.

He is coming to make war.

We see that His robe is dipped in blood, and this could have three different meanings:

The blood could be from His enemies.

The blood could be from the saints who were martyred.

The blood could be a reminder of the blood of the Lamb.

It could be left for us not to know so that we think of all three and see the incredible power and love of our Jesus.

Jesus is coming in power. He will be out in front. He will be in charge and make war with those who have rejected Him. He will take His place as King.

The Names Used for Jesus

In this text, we see five different names used for Jesus.

Faithful and True

Our Savior is faithful - He is always there for us even when we are faithless.

2 Timothy 2:11–13 NET 2nd ed.

This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.

Our Savior is true - We can trust Him. He does not have ulterior motives or deceit in Him. All that He does is to bring honor to His Father's name. Since He is true, we can trust all He says in His word. The promises that He has made will come to pass.

Word of God

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

King of kings

This shows that He is in charge.

There is no king greater than Him.

Lord of lords

He is Master

We are to obey Him.

One that we don't know

A name no one knows reminds us that we do not know all about God and Jesus, which is a good thing.

He is more than we could ever imagine.

Jesus is all of these names and so much more. All these names show the victorious power that the King has when He returns.

The Description of Jesus

Not only do the names of Jesus show us His power, but the description of Jesus also shows us His power.

Riding a white horse - shows victory and authority.

Eyes like a fiery flame - they see all - that includes our hearts and their intentions.

Many crowns - He is the sovereign ruler of all.

“Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.” NET translation notes

We Will Be With Him.

What is fantastic about the return of Jesus is that we get to come with Him.

The Raptured are the armies of heaven, white and clean.

We are His army because the blood of the Lamb has redeemed us.

Those who are raptured will come back with Jesus at His return.

We will follow Him as He comes back.

You know, we should be following Him today.

When He comes, there will be no doubt that He is the real King.

Imagine seeing this incredible vision.

This vision should bring great hope to the people of God, reminding us that our King is coming back and He has already won the victory.

He will deal with those who reject Him (19:15; 17-18)

Revelation 19:15 CSB

A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty.

Revelation 19:17–18 CSB

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he called out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying high overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of military commanders, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, small and great.”

Jesus will deal with those who have stood against Him at His return.

The sword in His mouth helps us see the power of the spoken word.

God spoke, and the world came to be.

Jesus said, “It is finished,” and salvation came.

Jesus will speak, this battle will be over, and all His enemies will be defeated as we sit back and watch.

He will come with an Iron Rod to beat down the nations.

Psalm 2:9 “‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like a potter’s vessel.’””

He will come and deal with the nations, take His throne to rule, set all things right, and be the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

The wrath of God seen in chapters 6-18 will be complete.

Those who have rejected Jesus will suffer because of the choices they have made.

As verse 18 shows it will be kings, fighters, horses, and everyone.

No one who has rejected Jesus will escape the wrath of God poured out upon the world.

There is even an angel that tells the birds to get ready. They are about to have a great supper.

Those who stand against Jesus will be fed to the birds.

He will win the battle (19-21)

Revelation 19:19–21 CSB

Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against his army. But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with it the false prophet, who had performed the signs in its presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds ate their fill of their flesh.

The beast and his crew will try to stop Jesus, but they will be defeated, and the beast will be captured (we will learn more about the beast and false prophet on Wednesday nights).

We see some graphic detail taking place in this scene.

Two are thrown alive into a lake of fire

The rest are killed with a sword then are eaten by birds

The point of this detail is to help us see that the victory has already been won, sin will be dealt with, and the enemies of Christ will not stand.

Jesus will return, He will deal with the enemy, and the enemy will be sentenced to eternal death along with all of those who have chosen to stand against God.

When we look at this passage, we can see great hope, knowing that Jesus has already won.

Sometimes, it seems there is no end to the evil in this world as it continues to grow.

We find ourselves shaking our heads when we watch the news or hear of something else praised that goes against the word of God.

We see that this will not always be the case.

Yes, the beast and false prophet will arise, they will gather a great army to stand against Jesus, but when He comes, they won't stand a chance.

There is victory in Jesus.

In this battle, those who stand against God will see total devastation and destruction to the point the birds will feast on their flesh. If you don't know Jesus, you will become bird seed.

Conclusion

As we look around our world today, we see a lot of evil. We see leaders who are out for themselves and do not care about those whom they lead or hurt in their quest for power.

We see people who live in ways that go against the word of God and wonder why they are doing well.

This text reminds us that we who are faithful will return with Jesus, He will make all things right, evil will be dealt with, and Christ will be victorious.

In verses 7-10 of this chapter, we see the marriage supper of the Lamb, which is a banquet for those who have given their lives to Christ. Today's text shows another banquet for those who reject Jesus.

Listen to what this commentary has to say:

Revelation III. Conclusion: Wedding Feast and Birds’ Feast

At Christ’s second coming, everyone alive will participate in one banquet or another. Those who belong to Christ will share in the wedding supper of the Lamb; those who belong to the beast will be on the menu for the great supper of God.

Which banquet will you be invited to? The marriage supper of the Lamb or the great supper of God? Will you be at the table or on the Menu?

Preach the gospel.

Invitation