Jesus, the coming King

Context

There is a lot in this passage in the book of Revelation as a whole that we could dive into tonight. The images, the symbolism, the metaphors, and the prophesies could keep us here all night. And I am not even going to attempt to unpack this passage in a super deep way- I am going to leave that to Pastor Scott and his ministry here. Instead, I want us to look at a 10,000ft view of this passage in the context of our theme of life and life abundantly.

So let’s catch up; in Revelation 19 we find ourselves in between the marriage supper of the Lamb when all those who are going to be with Christ are invited to a great banquet; and the thousand year rain of Jesus in Revelation 20 when he reigns for a millennia on this Earth.

In tonight's passage we open with a rider on a white horse coming from heaven that is opened like a scroll.

The Rider

The rider is called Faithful and true- but we call him Jesus.

He is riding a horse- on psalm Sunday Jesus rides a colt into Jerusalem reminding us of his peace. A colt was a symbol to tell the people that militaristic overthrow was not part of Jesus’ mission as he entered Jerusalem. But as he cracks the clouds in Revelation he is riding a horse- the animal of battle. Psalm Sunday he was not coming to make war- but Revelation 19 is a very, very different situation.

The Bible tells us that he is crowned with many diadems- the supreme jewels placed on the crowns of royal kings. Jesus is coming back to reestablish his Kingdom. Remember when Satan was tempting Jesus and he told him that if he would just bow down and worship him he would give him all the Kingdoms of this world? Spoiler alert, Jesus gets them anyway.

Jesus has a sword coming from his mouth to slay his enemies. This is no arbitrary battle. One of the things that breaks my heart- and I am betting yours too- is the innocent life that is ravaged by war. But friends, that is not the case in this battle- Jesus is a perfect and righteous God and it is by his word that people will be judged.

The Enemy

One of the facts of war is that there must be an enemy. And in Rev 19:17-21 we read that there is an enemy to be struck out when Christ comes.

Now, it is helpful for us to remember here that Jesus is waging war from justice against sin, death, and hell. I do not believe that Jesus wages war against people. Jesus wages war against sin. The fact of the matter is that there are real people who are following sin and their lives are intertwined in it’s vices. So, the Antichrist and the rulers of the Earth that have followed him decide to rage war against Christ- and they meet their demise.

In the beginning verses of Rev 19 we read of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb where all who have accepted Christ are invited to a great feast- they are invited to dinner.

But we see the opposite at the end of Rev 19- those who wage war against Christ are slain and the birds of the air come to devor their bodies- they are invited to be supper.

Friends, these are hard truths, but truths they are. We all have a choice to make, last night I read to you from Phil 3:20 and we talked about what it means to be a citizen of Heaven; I want to look at that same section tonight, but back up just a few verses:

Philippians 3:17–20 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

Friends, the thought of someone being an enemy of the cross is really harsh- it is not a message that makes me happy- but it is truth.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said: Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes

We live in a world that influenced by enemies of the cross.

How, then shall we live? Knowing that our King is coming, how should we live an abundant life?

We should be preparedo - tBible tells us that no one knows when Jesus is going to return- but friends just because we might be surprised when it happens does not be surprised that it happens.

I am glad I live in the days of tracking numbers. I can know exactly when my car part is arriving.

We should be investing in the eternal- Matthew 6:19–20 ““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus- Hebrews 12:2–4 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”

The Key to Christian life is not hard labor for Jesus; it is looking at Jesus

Eyes on the safe side of the wreck

Don’t make friends with the enemy; but make the enemy a friend-

Anyone can come to dinner

slumber parties