The Triumphant Return of Christ

Revelation 19:11–21 (NLT)

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.

12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.

13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.

14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.

15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.

16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.

18 Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.

20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

INTRODUCTION:

Of all of the prophesied events in scripture, the Second-Coming… the triumphant return of Christ is spoken of most often.

Both the Old and New Testament contain promises of the second coming of Jesus. There are 1845 references to it in the Old Testament and seventeen OT books give it prominence. Of the 260 chapters in the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second-coming. Twenty-three of the twenty-seven New Testament books refer to Christ’s second-coming. The four books missing from this list include three single-chapter books that focus in individual subjects and the book of Galatians, which contain statements that imply the doctrine of the second-coming. For every prophecy on the first-coming of Christ, there are eight on His second-coming.

Notice some important truths in Revelation 19:11-21 about the Triumphant Return of Christ:

I- THE LORD WILL RETURN IN ABSOLUTE TRIUMPH. (Revelation 19:11-16)

Notice this portrait of our triumphant Lord:

A- He is faithful - His word can be depended upon. (Revelation 19:11)

Revelation 19:11 (NLT)

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.

1- He told His disciples that He would return. (Matthew 24:42-44)

Matthew 24:42–44 (NLT)

42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into.

44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

2- He warned His enemies that He would return. (Matthew 26:64)

Matthew 26:64 (NLT)

64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

3- He can do anything but lie. (Titus 1:2)

Titus 1:2 (NLT)

2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.

B- He is true. (Revelation 19:11)

Revelation 19:11 (NLT)

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.

1- He is the truth (John 14:6)

John 14:6 (NLT)

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

2- His words are truth. (Luke 21:33; John 17:17)

Luke 21:33 (NLT)

33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

John 17:17 (NLT)

17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

C- He is fair and righteous in His judgment. (Revelation 19:11)

1- His standards are always consistent.

a. They have not changes with time. (Mal. 3:6)

Malachi 3:6 (NLT)

6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

b. They are the same for all individuals. (1 Peter 1:17)

1 Peter 1:17 (NLT)

17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.”

2- He knows your heart. (Revelation 19:12)

Revelation 19:12 (NLT)

12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.

a. He knows your motives.

b. He knows your thoughts.

c. He knows your spiritual condition.

1) Saved

2) Lost

like he did with Zachaeus and Saul of Tarsus

3) Rebellious child

Like he did with Annanius and Saphaira

D- He is absolutely sovereign. (Revelation 19:12)

1- He is crowned with the diadem of a reigning monarch.

a- He is the Lord of the universe; but have you made him Lord of your heart? Your life?

E- His banner is the blood. (Revelation 19:13)

Revelation 19:13 (NLT)

13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.

1- Without the applied blood of Christ, you have no hope.

(Hebrews 9:22)

Hebrews 9:22 (NLT)

22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

(Hebrews 9:28)

Hebrews 9:28 (NLT)

28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

F- His army is the redeemed. (Revelation 19:14)

Revelation 19:14 (NLT)

14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.

1- We are engaged in a spiritual war with eternal consequences.

(Ephesians 6:10-17)

Ephesians 6:10–17 (NLT)

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

a. We are fighting for the eternal souls of people.

no rest

no retirement

2- On the day of His return, we will watch as He fights and wins over all of the forces of Satan! (Revelation 19:15)

Revelation 19:15 (NLT)

15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.

G- He is above all others! (Revelation 19:16)

Revelation 19:16 (NLT)

16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

1- He is “King of Kings and Lord of lords.”

a. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord! (Philippians 2:9-11)

Philippians 2:9–11 (NLT)

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

II- THE FORCES OF SATAN WILL GO DOWN IN ABSOLUTE DEFEAT! (Revelation 19:17-21)

A- Preparation is made, as the angel issues his call. (Revelation 19:17-18)

Revelation 19:17–18 (NLT)

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.

18 Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”

1- There is presently an increase of vultures, buzzards, etc. in the mid-east around the Valley of Meggido.

2- All of the world is gearing-up for the consummation of the Battle of Armiggedon.

a. Countries are developing weapons.

China’s new missile

b. The world is an armed camp.

Terrorism and gorrilla warfare around the world

Missionaries kidnapped for ransom

Talliban in Afghanistan

c. mid-east crisis intensifies.

Israel’s supporters become fewer

B- Satan and his forces will foolishly attack the Lord and his army when he returns. (Revelation 19:19-21)

1- The ill-fated plan made: (Revelation 19:19)

Revelation 19:19 (NLT)

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.

2- The Beast and the False Prophet will be thrown into the lke of Fire. (Revelation 19:20-21)

Revelation 19:20–21 (NLT)

20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

a. Those who follow them will be destroyed.

CONCLUSION: