The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1:7 NASB95

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

I. THE SPECTACULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE COMING KING – (19:11-16)

A. HIS NAMES IDENTIFY HIM CLEARLY – (19:11-13,16)

The strong emphasis upon His name is obvious, clearly identifying Him for us all.

When we refer to the "name" of the Lord we are describing His character and nature!

Four characteristics are presented to us:

1. The RELIABILITY of His Name– (v.11a)

Because He is faithful, many blessings are ours:

· He keeps His promises!

Hebrews 10:23 NASB95

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

· He helps us in our temptations!

1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB95

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

· He protects us from the evil one!

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NASB95

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

· He will never forsake us!

2 Timothy 2:13 NASB95

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

· He will forgive our sins!

1 John 1:9 NASB95

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Because He is true, we can be confident that He is reliable!

1 John 5:20 NASB95

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

2. The RECOGNITION of His Name – (v.12b) – “…that no one know but himself.”

There is so much about the Lord that we do not know!

Isaiah 55:8–9 NASB95

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

3. The REVELATION of His Name – (v.13) – “…he is called is The Word of God.”

John 1:1 NASB95

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 NASB95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

4. The ROYALTY of His Name – (v.16)

This unique title reveals His sovereignty over all!

No leader, nation, or world empire of the past, present, or future, deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence with our King!

B. HIS NATURE DESCRIBES HIM POWERFULLY – (19:11-14)

The character and nature of our Lord is dramatically described in this passage by at least four statements in addition to His names:

1. His JUSTICE! – (v.11b)

Because of who He is, “…in righteousness he judges and makes war.”

William Barclay has this to say concerning the “true and just” judgment of God:

God alone is perfect in judgment—for three reasons. First, only he can see the inmost thoughts and desires of any individual. Second, only he has that purity which can judge without prejudice. Third, only he has the wisdom to find the right judgment and the power to apply it.

2. His KNOWLEDGE – (v.12a) – “His eyes are like a flame of fire…”

Hebrews 4:13 NASB95

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

3. His AUTHORITY – (v.12b, 14) – “…on his head are many diadems”

Ephesians 1:21–22 NASB95

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

His authority exceeds that of all human and angelic authority!

(v.14) – His authority is also seen in the “…armies of heaven...were following Him.”

* * * * * * * * * *

"Who are the armies of heaven?"

Note that it is “armies,” plural, so it doesn’t have to be just one group.

Their clothing is the clothing of the Lamb's wife (19:8), and thus would indicate that the church must make up at least part of this army.

They could also include O.T. believers and tribulation believers who have died previous to this great moment

Daniel 12:1–3 NASB95

“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

It could also represent (either in part or in whole) the angels of God!

Matthew 25:31 NASB95

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 NASB95

and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

* * * * * * * * * *

4. His WRATH – (v.13a) – “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood…”

Isaiah 63:3–6 NASB95

“I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger And trampled them in My wrath; And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My raiment. “For the day of vengeance was in My heart, And My year of redemption has come. “I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me, And My wrath upheld Me. “I trod down the peoples in My anger And made them drunk in My wrath, And I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

C. THE NATIONS WILL OBEY HIM COMPLETELY – (19:15-16)

Three actions of our Lord are described:

1. He STRIKES THE NATIONS – (v.15a)

The "sharp sword" refers to a long and heavy sword used by the Thracians. It can also describe a sword long enough to throw as a spear or javelin.

2. He SHEPHERDS THE NATIONS – (v.15b)

The word "rule"is the word meaning, "shepherd" (POIMANEI).

His “…rod of iron” is not to be taken lightly. It will bring order and justice to this world. The nations will be shepherded with absolute authority!

3. He STOMPS THE NATIONS – (v.15c)

“…He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.”

II. THE TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION THAT WILL COME – (19:17-21)

Armageddon has arrived! Human history as we know it will come to a dramatic close!

God's day of vengeance and wrath will explode upon the world scene in a spectacular display of His power and glory!

The whole world will know that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords!

A. THE INVITATION OF ALL BIRDS TO THE SUPPER OF THE GREAT GOD – (19:17-18)

In the destruction of the king of the north, the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39), a similar scene is pictured of the birds of heaven being invited to devour the flesh of those conquered.

This event will occur twice in the last days of human history.

When the invasion of the king of the north occurs (possibly before the tribulation period even begins).

At the end of the tribulation period (Armageddon) this event will occur again as all the kings of the earth become the supper upon which the birds of heaven feast!

Notice two things about the coming of these birds:

1. The POSITION of the ANGEL – (v.17)

Joel 2:31 NASB95

“The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

Perhaps the position of the angel begins that process by which the people on earth will know that judgment day has arrived!

2. The PROCLAMATION to the BIRDS – (v.18)

B. THE FINAL CONFLICT OF THE TRIBULATION – (19:19)

2 Thessalonians 1:7–10 NASB95

and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.

C. THE CAPTURE OF THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET – (19:20)

Notice that they are “…thrown alive in to the lake of fire that burns with sulfer.”

“What does that mean?”

(20:15) - They will experience the horrors of eternal punishment for a thousand years before the rest of unbelievers.

D. THE CONSEQUENCE THE NATIONS WILL FACE – (19:21)

CONCLUSION

While at times we have difficulty understanding the sequence of events and the meaning of many prophetic statements, certain facts are clear.

The Bible teaches:

1. The Return of Jesus Christ our Lord to this earth;

2. The defeat and destruction of unbelieving nations;

3. The eternal punishment of the wicked;

4. The bodily resurrection & eternal life of all who believe in Jesus Christ!