Revelation Sermon - 48

Revelation: Jesus Wins!

Revelation 19:11-21

1. Introduction – This morning we begin our journey through the last major section of Revelation.

a. This week I’ve included in your bulletin an updated outline of the book. This is not the only way to break down Revelation’s structure, but I find this a helpful way to understand the big overall picture of this letter.

i. I know we’re are in the last major section because in verse 11 we see the word ‘open.’ This word opens 4 of the 5 major sections in Revelation. The structure of the book looks like this.

b. It begins with a prologue and ends with an epilogue….and between we have 5 major sections in the book.

i. The Prologue runs from 1:1-8, and in it John introduces himself as the author and gives background information.

1. Section 1 is 1:9-3:22 – in the first major section, John sees a stunning picture of Jesus standing in the middle of his churches.

a. From this position, Jesus dictates 7 letters to the 7 churches of Asia Minor.

ii. Section 2 goes from 4:1-11:18 – and it starts this way – I saw a door open in heaven.

1. In this section we see the breaking of the seven seals, we hear the blowing of the seven trumpets.

a. It is a section that warns of coming judgment, but still gives people a time to repent.

i. It ends with an incredible scene around God’s throne – the kingdom of this has become the kingdom of our Lord and of Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.

iii. Section 3 starts in 11:19 and goes till 15:4. It starts this way, “I saw the Temple in heaven opened.

1. In this major section, John is given a glimpse at the cosmic war that is behind all wars.

a. In this section we see the great red dragon, the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth.

i. It too ends with a song of praise around God’s throne.

iv. The 4th major section of Revelation is found in 15:5-19:10, the section we just finished.

1. It begins this way…I saw God’s tabernacle in heaven opened…

a. In this section we see Babylon’s ultimate destruction. And ends, as we’ve seen over that past few weeks, with an echoing chorus of “Hallelujahs!”

c. And the last major section in the letter of Revelation runs from 19:11-22:7. It starts this way…

i. And I saw what… Before it was a door, then the temple, then the tabernacle…now John sees heaven itself thrown wide open…

1. And what does he see??? Not a temple, not a door, not a tent of meeting… but a person.

a. Not something, but someone…Jesus.

i. This last major section of Revelation describes the victory of Jesus over evil, the defeat and condemnation of Satan and his followers, and we see a glorious picture of the new heaven and new earth.

ii. 22:8-21 is called the Epilogue, where final words of encouragement are spoken.

2. Today’s Passage – Today’s passage, yes there are some gory parts in it. We’re actually going to touch on those more next week.

a. But these parts of the passage remind us that we can’t ignore God’s wrath and judgment.

i. Any view of God or any interpretation of Revelation that ignores God’s hatred of sin, or the reality of hell, is not staying true to the biblical text.

1. The reality of god’s wrath and punishment should cause us, God’s people, to be even more fervent and persistent in our evangelism.

a. Right now is the day of salvation, right now is the age of grace…but when Jesus returns, the opportunity for repentance and the time for salvation will be over.

b. In our passage today we see a glorious scene of heaven opening, of a rider on a white horse – and we see a picture of the destruction and dishonour that waits those who reject Jesus and his offer of salvation.

i. The passage this morning answers 2 main questions.

1. It’s important for us to understand the purpose of this passage – it is NOT trying to prove THAT Jesus is going to win the final battle.

a. The outcome is never in doubt.

ii. Remember – the spiritual battle between good and evil… between God and his enemies is not fought on an even playing field.

1. Jesus will not struggle to win this war – it is not a battle between equally matched opponents.

a. The vision here is not trying to convince Christians that Jesus is going to win.

i. It is showing them WHY Jesus is going to win and HOW he is going to do it.

c. So, the 2 questions we are going to answer this morning… Why will Jesus win the battle against evil?

i. And… How is Jesus going to win the battle against evil?

1. Remember, not trying to convince or prove that Jesus will win. The outcome is never in doubt…

a. This passage, if we take in what’s written, should bolster our confidence in the final victory of God’s kingdom.

3. Why? – So…why will Jesus win? Well, Jesus will win this battle because of the titles and actions listed in the passage.

a. There are a number of descriptors here, and are going to quickly move through them and show how each title or action contributes to Jesus’ victory.

i. Plain and simple…Jesus will win because of WHO he is. And who is he and why will he win?

b. Jesus will win because he is Faithful and true.

i. Jesus is spoken about this way throughout the entire letter. In chapter 1 Jesus is called the faithful witness…

1. Jesus is faithful to the Father and the Father’s will from beginning to end.

a. From before the beginning till after the end.

i. The words “faithful and true” have the meaning of genuine and reliable.

2. And only Jesus is absolutely faithful and true, only Jesus is absolutely genuine and reliable.

a. Only Jesus is able to judge fairly and righteously.

i. Jesus wins because of his faithfulness and truthfulness.

c. Next, John writes that Jesus, who is the rider on the white horse, just so we’re clear, has eyes likes flames of fire.

i. Johns sees this in his first vision of Jesus in chapter 1. We studied it a year ago January…do you remember it?

1. His eyes are like flames…bright, pure, penetrating and purifying.

a. Jesus not only looks at us, but he looks through us. Jesus misses nothing and nothing is hidden from him.

i. Jesus wins because of his blazing and penetrating eyes.

d. Next, Jesus wins because he has many crowns on his head.

i. We’re seen this phrase before. Back in chapter 12, when we were first introduced to the great red dragon, we’re told that he had 7 diadems, 7 crowns on seven heads.

1. Later, in chapter 13, we’re told that the beast from the sea had 10 crowns on 7 heads.

a. But those numbers pale in comparison to what we see here.

i. 7 crowns on 7 heads, 10 crowns on 7 heads – represents limited power and control.

1. But look at Jesus, many crowns…too many to count – and while the dragon and beast needed multiple heads to hold their crowns…

a. Here the picture is many crowns on one head.

2. Jesus wins because he sovereignly rules over everything…wearing all the crowns.

e. Next, Jesus wins because of his unknown name. what’s this all about? A couple of points to consider.

i. In the ancient world, it was thought that if you knew someone’s name, then you could exercise a certain level of control over them.

1. And this is true to a certain extent.

a. If you want to get your child’s attention you can yell their full name.

i. You can control a person by saying…or yelling, their name.

ii. Also, consider this…also in the ancient world, it was thought that if you knew someone’s name, you also knew their character and personality.

1. Knowing a name was like having a mini personality profile.

a. But think about this…Jesus has a name that no one understands but himself. Meaning what?

i. That even though Jesus is revealed to us in the pages of Scripture…there’s always more.

iii. Think about the names we have for Jesus…Saviour, Lord, Son of God, Son of Man, Bread of life, Good Shepherd…that gives us great insight into the character of Jesus…but the list goes on and on…and there’s always more.

1. Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – faithful and true…but there’s always more.

a. Jesus wins because he is under no one’s control. He wins because he has a name no one understand except himself. He wins because of his divine mysteriousness.

f. Next, Jesus wins because he’s wearing a robe dipped in blood. Strange image…Jesus’ robe is dipped in blood…before that battle is even fought.

i. So that begs the question, who’s blood is it?

1. I believe this image reminds us where this battle was actually fought and won.

a. This final battle, Armageddon as chapter 16, calls it…is actually never fought and it doesn’t need to be fought. Because the victory has already been won at Calvary.

ii. Remember, this is not a fight between equals… Jesus has already secured the victory.

1. At Calvary, Jesus let the dragon, the beast and the false prophet have their way with him…and they lost.

a. Jesus comes to this scene wearing a robe dipped in blood, his own blood, reminding us that he has already fought and won the battle against evil.

i. Jesus wins because of Calvary.

g. Next, Jesus wins because he is the Word of God. Now, I believe the John who wrote Revelation is the same John that wrote the Gospel.

i. It’s hard to imagine John writing this title and NOT thinking about the Prologue to his Gospel… In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…

1. Jesus is God’s speech, God’s final speech.

a. From his mouth comes a sharp sword…we’ve seen this image before and we’ll study it again in just a few minutes.

i. Jesus wins the battle because he is God’s final word.

h. Jesus wins because he rules with an iron rod.

i. Now, most commentators I read this week agree that the word ‘rule’ is better translated ‘shepherd.’ He will shepherd with an iron rod…

1. A shepherd’s rod was his weapon of protection.

a. With it he rescued sheep from perilous situations and protected them from wild animals.

i. Jesus wins because he shepherds his people with an iron rod.

i. Next, Jesus wins because he is King of all kings, and Lord of all lords.

i. Think of it. Every king has a King. Every Prime Minister…has a Prime Minister.

1. They may not realize or recognize it, but that doesn’t change the reality of it.

a. Jesus is King over every government, he is Lord over every classroom.

ii. One may not be able to say the name of Jesus in Parliament, or speak the name of Jesus in the classroom…but that doesn’t change reality.

1. The only issue is whether or not we will face that reality and submit to the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. He is King and Lord over everything.

j. Why will Jesus win this battle? Because of who he is.

i. Faithful and true, with eyes like flames of fire, wearing many diadems on one head, a name no one knows except himself, clothed with a robe dipped in blood.

1. Jesus will win because he is the Word of God and because he is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

4. How? – We’ve established the why, now let’s focus our attention on the how. How will Jesus accomplish this victory?

a. In this vision of Jesus – warrior Messiah – we see that he only has one weapon with him…from his mouth comes a sword.

i. The sword that comes out of his mouth is his word. Jesus wins this battle simply by speaking.

1. And isn’t this always the way Jesus has worked?

b. In the beginning was the Word – and the Word spoke into the nothingness…and everything was made that was made.

i. The Word said – let there be… and there was…Everything…out of nothing.

1. Imagine what he could do with a little bit of effort???

c. And later, when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…Jesus liberated, healed and performed miracles…simply by speaking.

i. He cast out a legion of demons, by speaking. No tricks, no laser light show…or chanting or anything like that…

1. Jesus spoke, “Get in the pigs!” and they did…because Jesus spoke.

a. When the storm was churning on the Sea of Galilee…and experienced fishermen were fearing for their lives…what did Jesus do?

i. He spoke into the chaos…and it listened. Be quiet! Be still!...and it was – because Jesus spoke.

d. At Bethany, at Lazarus’ tomb…a man who was deader than dead…dead for 4 days and starting to decompose…

i. Jesus says, roll the stone away. The people tried to convince Jesus not to do that…it might smell they said… but Jesus had them roll it away anyway.

1. And Jesus did what…he spoke. “Hey Lazarus…quite being dead.” And Lazarus walked out of the tomb alive. Because of the powerful word of Jesus.

a. Jesus did all of that… by speaking.

e. And Revelation 19:21 tells us that Jesus will defeat the armies of Satan…not after a long struggle…

i. Not after a brilliant military tactical move…not by using superior weapons or a blitzkrieg style assault…

1. Jesus wins the battle against the armies of evil the way he always has, simply by speaking.

a. How powerful are Jesus’ words!

i. Martin Luther had it right… The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him…

1. His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure…One little word shall fell him.

5. Concluding – Do you have confidence in Jesus’ powerful word? Do you believe that Jesus is more powerful than evil?

a. Revelation was written to 7 1st century churches who were struggling with confidence.

i. They saw Rome conquering, Caesar being worshipped as a god.

1. They saw Christians persecuted and martyred. Their confidence was shaken – some had even begun to compromise with the world around them.

a. But here’s Revelation…reminding them that Caesars will rise and fall, but God’s kingdom will remain forever.

i. Written to bolster confidence that God’s victory has already been secured.

1. Who will win, Caesar or Jesus? According to Revelation, the outcome is never in doubt.

b. And for us today, our situation is quite similar to the 1st century church. We see ungodly agendas being pushed, we see sin celebrated as if it is normal…we are called hatemongers and intolerant.

i. We see Christians being persecuted and martyred in some parts of the world.

1. But here’s Revelation – reminding us that empires rise and fall, but God’s kingdom will always stand.

a. Reminding us that even though we will experience hard times, God’s victory and vindication has already been secured… secured because of Jesus – the rider on the white horse who will wipe evil out with the breath and words from his mouth.