Worthy is the Lamb: The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ (Part 2)

Text: Revelation 19:11-16

Theme: At our Lord’s first Advent he came as a child, but At our Lord’s second Advent he is coming as a conqueror to judge rebellious sinners.

Last Sunday we began looking at the great, and glorious event that Jesus taught his disciples to pray to God the Father for ... thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God’s will is always perfectly done in His heaven, and that prayer, that we’ve all prayed, is our beseeching of God to come to this world and perfectly exert His will here.

Throughout 2000 years of history the church has repeatedly survived the persecution of despots who have boldly claimed that they would rid the earth of a people called ‘Christian’. The prayer of God’s people during these times has always been the same; “Lord Jesus come quickly.” Revelation 19:11-21 is the answer to that prayer.

This passage tells us three things about the 2nd Advent of Christ.

Jesus is returning in glory and in power

Jesus is returning to judge all who reject him

Jesus is returning to defeat the enemy who oppose him

I. JESUS IS RETURNING IN GLORY AND IN POWER vs. 11-16

1. the Apostle John gives us for glimpses of Jesus in these five verses

a. 1st, Jesus is the Warrior-Messiah

b. 2nd, Jesus is the Many-Crowned Conqueror

c. 3rd, Jesus is the Righteous Judge

d. 4th, Jesus is the Lord of lords and King of kings

2. this is the Messiah we most often see in the writings of the Old Testament prophets

a. it’s the Messiah the Jews were hoping for and expecting, and is one of the reasons why the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus — he did not meet their messianic expectations

4. at his 1st Advent Jesus came in grace, but at his 2nd Advent Jesus comes in glory

a. when Jesus comes a second time he will destroy all hostile and opposing powers

5. Jesus Is Returning in Glory and Power (this was last week’s message, and if you were not here and would like a copy, just let me know)

II. JESUS IS RETURNING TO JUDGE ALL WHO REJECT HIM vs. 17-18

“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”” (Revelation 19:17–18, ESV)

1. Jesus is coming to judge the world and execute the Father’s wrath

2. these verses tell us how complete will be our Lord’s victory over the Antichrist and his followers

a. when he returns Jesus will interrupt an impending battle that is about to take place on earth

b. this is the Battle of Armageddon

1) Rev. 19:19 presents the aftermath of Earth’s last great battle whose outcome was prophesied back in Rev. 17:14

“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”” (Revelation 17:14, NIV84)

c. this great battle, which will engulf the Middle East at the end of the age, is the result of the world situation at the end of the Great Tribulation

ILLUS. Because of the nature of apocalyptic language in the Bible, we cannot speak with absolute authority of the chronology of End-Times events. But for people like myself who hold to a premillennial view of End Times events, here is a general chronology that most Premillennialists agree on:

The Antichrist rises to power during a period of political uncertainty and turmoil around the globe. Daniel 9:27 seems to indicate that the Antichrist signs a covenant for seven years with the nation of Israel. This is the event that inaugurates the Tribulation period. Cataclysmic events stun the people’s of the world.

In the beginning there is no serious challenge to the power and authority of the world ruler we know as the Antichrist. He is able to assume supreme power, first politically, and then economically. He is hailed as a “savior”, and is perceived as a Messiah-type figure. He will be such a convincing false Christ that Jesus had to warn his disciples not to be fooled by the Antichrist’s appearance.

He consolidates power by forcing everyone to wear the “mark of the beast” if they want to do business.

The False Prophet, according to Rev. 19:20, will deceive those who wear the mark of the beast with signs and wonders, and encourages humanity to worship the Antichrist, and his image.

The Antichrist’s reign is afflicted, however, by a series of great judgments of God described in the blowing of the trumpets, and the outpouring of the bowls of the wrath of God. The disruptive force of these judgments is keenly felt throughout the world and it soon becomes evident that the promised utopia which the Antichrist’s reign was designed to produce is not going to be fulfilled.

As the Great Tribulation moves on to its close, major sections of the world rebel against the Antichrist, and this sets the stage for the final great conflict.

Great armies converge upon the Middle East according to Revelation 16:13. Governments will be seduced into engaging in the final conflict by satanic influences. John the Apostle writes: “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:13, 14). There has been endless speculation as to the identity of the three unclean spirits. The passage plainly says that they are spirits of devils or demons, and unquestionably are fallen angels under the command of Satan who are sent forth to draw the kings of the world into this final conflict.

3. back in Revelation 16 we were given a glimpse of the Battle of Armageddon

a. it is the Sixth Bowl Judgment

“The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) 16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” (Revelation 16:12–16, ESV).

1) Armageddon literally means the Hill of Megiddo

2) the name refers to a fortification made by King Ahab that dominated the Plain of Jezreel

ILLUS. For most of his life Jesus would have enjoyed one of the most spectacular views in Israel — a view of the Valley of Jezreel. The village of Nazareth sits on an escarpment on the northeast side of the valley, and from a ridge just south of town Jesus would’ve looked out over the Valley of Jezreel where so much of Israel’s history took place. We know the Valley of Jezreel better by its name in the Book of Revelation — Armageddon. It is a 375 square-mile Valley in northern Israel. Napoleon Bonaparte said that the Valley of Megiddo is the most natural battlefield on earth, and that "All the armies of the world could maneuver their forces on this vast plain."

3) when Jesus returns he will be coming back to a very familiar place

a) in his day is was a place of verdant tranquility, but when he comes again, it will become a place of unbelievable slaughter

4. in the closing days of the Great Tribulation huge armies are moving toward the Middle East

ILLUS. Humanly speaking, they are gathering to wrest the world rulership from the Beast. But in Satan’s grander purpose the armies of the world are gathered to fight the armies of heaven which will accompany Christ at His Second Coming, but the Lord shall come and smite them.

a. Revelation 19:17 refers to this battle as “the great supper of God”

1) it’s a “supper” for the birds who gorge themselves on the remains of this army that has fallen before Christ

b. in bringing the armies of the earth to Armageddon, Satan is sowing the seeds of his own destruction, and sets the stage for the triumph of God

5. what we find in verses 17-18 is not so much a great battle, as a great falling or even more specifically a great slaughter

a. Christ will merely speak, and by his Word — represented by the sharp sword that comes out of his mouth — the nations shall be struck down

“And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:21, ESV)

6. this will be that last great world event before out Christ establishes his Millennial Kingdom when he shall rule for 1,000 years

A. THERE WILL NO ESCAPE FOR THOSE WHO REJECT HIM

“The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.” (Revelation 19:21, NIV84)

1. as roadkill is ready for the vultures to swoop in and devour it, so the world is ready for Christ’s judgment and God’s wrath

"We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds. 2 "At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. 3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah 4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,' and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn; 5 do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.' " 6 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, 7 but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. 8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs. 9 But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up." (Psalm 75:1–10, ESV)

B. THERE WILL BE NO DISCRIMINATION FOR THOSE WHO REJECT HIM

1. the angel summons all the birds of the air to come ...

“so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.”” (Revelation 19:18, NIV84)

ILLUS. We live in a culture where it appears that the wealthy, the powerful, and the well-connected regularly seem to escape justice. Laws that would put “normal folks” in jail rather quickly don’t apply to the elite. This disparity of justice can be disheartening to those who believe the law ought to apply equally to all.

a. the Second Coming of Jesus will be an event where equal justice will be meted out

“For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.” (Psalm 11:7, NIV84)

2. when Jesus comes again to judge this world social rank or status will not exempt you from the judgment

3. Jesus Is Returning to Judge All Who Reject Him

III. JESUS IS RETURNING TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY WHO OPPOSE HIM vs. 19-21

“And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” (Revelation 19:19–20, ESV)

1. contrary to popular end-times books or Hollywood’s cinematic depictions of the Battle of Armageddon it will be something of a disappointment — because it will be over in a flash

ILLUS. Chuck Swindoll writes of this passage, “Before anybody on earth can utter the word “Armageddon,” the battle of Armageddon will be over.”

2. at the end of history the world will unite against our Christ, but they are simply marching in step to Satan’s delusion, God’s will prevails, and their ultimate judgment is sure

A. GOD’S ENEMIES ARE JUDGED AND ETERNALLY CONDEMNED

1. Jesus told his disciple that this event will be a time of mourning for the nations of the world

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30, NIV84)

a. the Beast and the False Prophet are captured, and are the first two inhabitants of the eternal Lake of Fire

2. the Bible tells us that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the culmination of all of God’s redemptive history

a. God’s redemptive work is “wrapped up” so-to-speak in the 2nd Advent of the Son

1) it is at this time that the serpent’s head will be finally and fully crushed

2) it is at this time that the fulfillment of God’s promise to King David will be fulfilled — that one of David’s descendants shall forever set on his throne

3) it is this event that fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, “For unto us a son is given… And the government shall be upon his shoulders, and of the increase of his government, and peace there shall be no end.”

4) it is this event that Jesus taught us to pray for — thy kingdom come thy will be done

5) it is this event that fulfills the angles prophetic announcement to the disciples, “ ... This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:11, ESV)

6) it is this event that answers the pleading of the saints under the altar, asking “how long, sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:9)

3. in the twinkling of an eye God’s enemies are dispatched

ILLUS. John Phillips in his commentary on the book of Revelation writes “He speaks a word, and the war is over. The blasphemous, loudmouth beast is stricken where he stands. The false prophet, the miracle working windbag from the pit is punctured and still. The pair of them are bundled up and hurled headlong into the everlasting flames. Another word, and the panic stricken armies real and stagger and fall down dead. Field marshals and generals, admirals and air commanders, soldiers and sailors, rank-and-file, one and all – they fall. And the vultures will descend, and cover the scene thus ending the battle of Armageddon.”

4. Jesus Is Returning to Defeat the Enemy Who Oppose Him

IV. LESSONS AND APPLICATION

A. ANGELS WILL PLAY A ROLE IN OUR LORD’S SECOND COMING

1. once again an angel plays a key role in one of the end-time events described in the Apocalypse

a. Revelation tells us their numbers are beyond enumeration

1) in Rev. 5:11 John writes their number is myriads of myriads — an immense number that no one can count

b. Revelation tells us angels worship ... angels announce God’s will ... angels temporarily restrain judgment ... angels will be God’s means of judgment ... angels blow trumpets ... angles pour out the contents of bowls ... angels proclaim the gospel ... angels rejoice at the fall of evil ... angels will be a witness to the judgment of sinners ... an angel will bind Satan

2. in this passage John sees an angel standing in the sun who subsequently calls in a loud voice to the birds of the air

a. he addresses all the birds which fly in midheaven (cf. 8:13; 14:6), inviting them to feed on the results of the carnage that will shortly ensue

3. the angel declares Christ’s victory before the battle is ever fought

B. CREATION WILL PLAY A ROLE IN OUR LORD’S SECOND COMING

1. the angel commands the birds to come and assemble for the great supper of God

a. the slaughter that takes place on the Day of the Lord — the Old Testament’s title for the Second Advent of our Christ — is so severe that many have wondered if it is merely hyperbole for Christ’s complete victory over the Antichrist and his followers

b. back in chapter 14, John describes this day of judgment as a harvest of the earth where an angel swings his sickle across humanity to cut down rebellious sinners into the winepress of the wrath of God

“And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.” (Revelation 14:20, ESV)

1) that’s and amazing 180 miles!

ILLUS. Even my “go-to” author for interpreting the Book of Revelation balks at the literalness of this slaughter. George Eldon Ladd (if you have been reading the inserts on Revelation I’ve been providing you’ll recognize his name); he writes, “Obviously this is a vivid, picturesque way of describing a great and decisive destruction of the enemies of God and cannot be taken literally.”

2) I think God intends for us to take it pretty literally!

3. these verses tell an awful story

a. they tell of great men, and common men made food for the vultures — of kings and men, both free, and slaves, and small and great — devoured on the field,

4. the Apostle Paul tells us that God’s physical creation has been waiting for the great and glorious 2nd Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19–21, ESV)

C. SAINTS WILL PLAY A ROLE IN OUR LORD’S SECOND COMING

“And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.” (Revelation 19:14, ESV)

1. Revelation seems clear that the Saints of God will have a role in the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

a. vs. 14 doesn’t specifically tell us who makes up the armies of heaven, but most scholars believe, and I agree, that the armies of heaven include both God’s angels, and God’s Elect from throughout the ages

1) we know that angels are often referred to as the host of heaven; the word host literally means army

b. but the Apostle John also indicates that God’s Elect are included in the armies of heaven

1) in Rev. 19:14 we are told that this army is arrayed in fine linen, white and pure

2) this is also a description of Christ’s Bride — the Church — in Rev. 19:8

3) finally, in Rev. 17:14, John tells us that when Christ comes again in power and glory that his Saints will be with him

“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”” (Revelation 17:14, NIV84)

2. but I don’t think that we will have part in the great last battle

a. the Psalmist tells us that judgment belongs to the Lord

“Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. 9 You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. 10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man. 11 Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. 12 For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.” (Psalm 21:8–12, ESV)

b. we will, I think, be observers and awed witnesses to our Lord’s judgments, and, in the words of the hymn, We will shout the victory

“ ... I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 3 Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”” (Revelation 19:1–3, ESV)

3. how do we apply this to our lives?

a. Revelation 19 refers to two ‘suppers’

b. in vs. 7 there is The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

1) this is the ultimate, and final, and complete redemption of God’s Elect

2) it includes the resurrection of the saints, our glorification with Christ, and the reception of our eternal reward

3) both Old and New Testaments picture this event is a great banquet

c. in vs. 17 there is The Great Supper of God

4. there is a telling difference between these two suppers, and you all have a choice: You can enjoy the wedding supper with Jesus or You can be the supper of vultures and crows

5.one of these two destinies is the end toward which every single person is heading, depending on his or her response to the saving offer of Jesus Christ

a. the ungodly, whose sins are not forgiven because of their unbelief, “will go away into eternal punishment,” Jesus said, “but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:46)

b. one reason for Christians to seek the salvation of the lost is our awareness that the offer of salvation will end when Christ returns

c. although we are reviled as hatemongers for our proclamation of God's wrath against sin, Christians are motivated to do so because of the judgment we know awaiting sinners who reject Jesus and reject his salvation

Con. You can either accept God’s invitation, through Christ, to be a part of the marriage supper of the Lamb, or reject God’s invitation or become the main course in the supper of our great God. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)