Faithful and True

Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Introduction

Chapter nineteen opens with all of heaven rejoicing at the judgment of Babylon. The four living beasts and the twenty-four elders fall on their face in reverence to the One who sits on the throne. All declare their agreement, “Amen.”

The culmination of the wedding is about to begin. The table is set, and the “Bride” is seated at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. All eyes are looking for the arrival of the Bridegroom.

All of creation has been awaiting this moment. Since the judgment in the Garden of Eden, the prophecies have led to this point in time.

The Christ was promised in the Old Testament.

He will come through the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15). He will come through the line of Shem (Gen 9:25-27). He will come through the line of Abraham (Gen 12:3). He will come through the line of Judah (Gen 49:8-12). He will come through the line of Jesse (Is 11:1a). He will come through the line of David (2 Sam 7:10-13; Ps 132:11b). He will come from the town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He will come as a child and a son (Is 9:6a). He will be born of a virgin (Is 7:14). He will be called “Immanuel” (Is 7:14). He will be called “the Lord our righteousness” (Jer 23:6; 33:16; cf. Mal 4:2). He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Is 9:6c). He will come in humility (Zech 9:9). He will serve as a prophet in Israel (Deut 18:15, 18; cf. John 6:14). He will bring good news to the afflicted (Is 61:1-3). He will crush the head of the Serpent (Gen 3:15). He will wash away the guilt of sinners (Is 4:1-4). He will serve as a channel of divine blessing to the world (Gen 12:1-3). He will be rejected by man, pierced by the Jews, and crushed by God the Father (Is 53:1-12; Zech 11:4-14; 12:10; 13:7; cf. Ps 22; cf. Dan 9:26a). He will die as a substitutionary sacrifice for guilty sinners to provide forgiveness and salvation (Is 53:1-12; Zech 3:9). He will be resurrected from the dead (Ps 16:10; cf. Acts 2:31). He will come again in judgment upon the nations (Is 63:1-6). He will bring destruction to the enemies of Israel (Num 24:15-19). He will reign in perfect peace, justice, and righteousness as King over the entire earth (Gen 49:10; Num 24:17-19; Ps 2:6-12; 110:1-7; Is 9:6b-7; 11:1-16; 42:1-4; Jer 23:5; 33:14-2; Zech 9:10). He will build the Temple of the Lord and rule on His throne as Priest (Zech 6:12-15). He will unify and restore the nation of Israel (Ezek 36:16-38; 37:15-28). He will feed and protect Israel as her divine Shepherd (Ezek 34:23-31; 37:15-28). He will bring salvation to Israel and reign over her as King (Is 49:5-6a; Micah 5:2; Jer 23:5-6; 30:21; 33:16; Ezek 37:15-28). He will be appointed as a covenant to the people and a light to the nations of the earth (Is 42:5-6; 49:6; cf. Is 55:4; cf. Mal 3:1). He will be given glory and everlasting dominion over all the nations of the earth, and His kingdom will be established forever (Dan 7:13-14; 2 Sam 7:10-13; Ps 132:11b).

The Bridegroom/King Arrives

Revelation 19:11 ¶ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

“And I saw heaven opened…”

In the previous section, John “heard” the great multitude singing their praises and awaiting the Marriage of the Lamb. John is now permitted to see the events of the Return of Christ unfold before him.

“…and behold a white horse…”

This is not the same white horse of the Seal judgments found in chapter 6:2. Our discussion centered on the horse and rider which were part of the “four horsemen of the Apocalypse.” That rider represented the coming Antichrist. That horse was white and had a rider. However, that is where the similarities ended. This horse and rider was different.

“…and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True…”

The name of the rider is not identified, but his title and characteristics are, “faithful and true.” There is a reason that the King James translators capitalized Faithful and True, as they are giving titles to the rider of the white horse. There can be no doubt that his rider is the Messiah for He is being faithful and true to the Word of God. He is returning to fulfill the prophecies concerning the Messiah’s reign on the earth as King.

When John was writing the portion of the letter to the church at Laodicea, he identified Jesus as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.

I don’t know about you, but I am comforted in knowing that in the world there is lying and deceit. However, the Bridegroom is the opposite of the way of the world. His Words are Truth. His Words are Faithful.

“…and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”

The Greek word translated as “righteousness” is translated in other verses as “fairness of character or act, justice.”

Christ’s righteousness enables Him to judge of all the earth and to His enemies, He will make war. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah will not make war for expansion of riches, lands, or ambition. He will lead the war against the wicked and bring judgment to those that oppose Him.

Revelation 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

“His eyes were as a flame of fire…”

This is the same description we saw in 1:14:

Revelation 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire.

In the previous verse the rider of the horse is found to be Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. The judgment of His enemies is all-consuming, nothing escapes his piercing and penetrating gaze.

“…and on his head were many crowns…”

John’s use of the Greek word for “crown” is the English word “diadema”, and not “stephanos”, the crown of the winner of the public games, or symbol of honor. The diadem is the royal crown of the King. It is significant that He had “many” crowns. The Lamb will wear all the crowns of the earthly kings (leaders of countries), their rule is over and Jesus rule begins.

“…and he had a name written…”

It appears that the new name is written on the crown, as we have not left that discussion. The bride of Christ has a “new name.” The renaming of a person in the Bible is nothing new. For example; Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Simon to Peter, Levi to Matthew and Saul to Paul.

“…that no man knew, but he himself…”

We learn that the rider on the white horse has a name that only he himself knows. We know many of the names the Bible gives to the Son of God. There are over 200 names that we are familiar with:

Advocate, Alpha and Omega, Ancient of Days, Anointed One, The Only Begotten of the Father, Captain of Our Salvation, the Christ, Creator, Emmanuel, Great Shepherd, the Holy One, Jesus, Lamb of God, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Living Water, the Son of Man, Messiah, Propitiation for the Sins of the World, Rabbi, Teacher, Savior, Second Adam, the Corner Stone, the True Vine, Wonderful, the Word.

In the Revelation, we have many names and titles of Jesus.

Title Reference

· Jesus Christ 1:1

· Faithful Witness 1:5

· First Begotten of the Dead 1:5

· Prince of the Kings of the Earth 1:5

· Alpha and Omega 1:8-13

· The Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come 1:8

· The Almighty 1:8

· First and Last 1:8, 11, 13

· Son of Man 1:13

· He that Liveth and Was Dead 1:13, 18

· The First and the Last 1:17

· He that Holdeth the Seven Stars 2:1

· He who walketh in the midst of the Seven Candlesticks 2:1

· He which hath the sharp sword with two edges 2:12

· Son of God 2:18

· He that searcheth the reins and hearts 2:23

· He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars 3:1

· He that is Holy, He that is True 3:7

· He that hath the key of David 3:7

· He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth 3:7

· The Amen 3:14

· The Faithful and True Witness 3:14

· The beginning of the creation of God 3:14

· Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty 4:8

· Lord 4:11

· Lion of the Tribe of Judah 5:5, 9

· The Root of David 5:5, 9

· The Lamb as it had been slain 5:6

· The Lamb 5:8

· The Root of David 5:9

· The King of Saints 15:3

· Lord of Lords 17:14

· King of Kings 17:14

· The Word of God 19:11

· Rider of the White Horse 19:11

· Faithful and True 19:13

· Christ 20:4

· Lord God of the Holy Prophets 22:6

· Beginning and the End 22:13

· The root and the offspring of David 22:16

· The Bright and Morning Star 22:16

And yet, there is one more name of the Son of God that we do not know. Only He knows.

Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

“And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood…”

His outer garment was “dipped in blood.” In battles, the blood would cover the outer garments of the warriors from the fierceness of the close hand-to-hand fighting.

Some see this vesture dipped in blood to represent his own blood, shed for mankind. However, this depiction of the “rider on the white horse” is military in style, a warrior on the field of battle.

“…and his name is called The Word of God.”

This must have been joyous for the Apostle John. To hear that “his name is called The Word of God” supported the word from God when John wrote his Gospel.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

“The Word was God” is only found here. The Bible declares that Christ is “the logos of theos.”

In the previous verse, “he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself”, however, in this verse His revealed name is “The Word of God.”

Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

“And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses…”

The armies are not identified, and this has led to many differing thoughts. 1) That these are “armies” and not an army. 2) These armies are mounted on white horses like Christ. 3) They are dressed like the Christ in clean, white, fine linen.

This is not the first time that we read of the army of the LORD.

In the twelfth chapter of the Revelation, there is a war in heaven between Satan and his angels and Michael and his angels.

Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

I see no reason in the scriptures that would preclude me from the idea that both the messengers of God (the angels) and the redeemed (OT, NT believers, church) be in the accompany the Lion of the Tribe of Judah on this mission. While they may be with the Christ, only He will do battle.

“…clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”

We have consistently seen in the Revelation that the inhabitants of heaven, both angels and believers, are described as being dressed in clean and white fine linen. (3:4-5; 4:4; 7:9; 15:6)

Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

“And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword…”

The sword can be used in two fashions: 1) as an armament to defend and 2) as an armament to attack. . In the first chapter, Jesus was described in the same way; “out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword.” The writer of the book of Hebrews comments:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

· We know that Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1).

· We know that the word of God pierces the heart of man for understanding “and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

· We also understand that the sword out of His mouth is associated with the Lord’s teaching and doctrines

Therefore, the sword, represents his words or doctrines, which are the incriminating judgments brought upon His enemies.

But, strictly speaking, the Greek word for sword is defined as a “Sabre or long and broad cutlass.” We cannot overlook the idea that Christ speaks the judgment on mankind and then carries out His judgment with a military implement of death.

“…that with it he should smite the nations…”

remember that all the nations fell under the federation control of Babylon. All opposing nations were crushed under the control of the Antichrist and Babylon.

“…and he shall rule them with a rod of iron…”

This is from the second Psalm.

Psalms 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

God’s covenant with Abraham promised that his descendants would become a great nation and that He would bless them. The LORD further proclaimed that those nations and peoples that blessed his offspring would also receive blessings from Him.

The Apostle John’s letter to the church at Thyatira includes a reference to Psalm 2.

Revelation 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

“…and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God…”

For many of us, the actual crushing of grapes in a wine press is found in a travelogue, certainly not something that we have experienced. The Bible has dozens of references to wine, wine making and winepresses. The first reference is of Noah found in Genesis nine (Gen. 9 21-22).

A typical wine press would include the collection area, a treading floor, a second hole for secondary crushing, a pool for the juice to collect and finally a collection jar.

The “crushing” took place on the treading floor. The grapes would be “crushed” by the feet of the workers. The juice would flow to the collecting pool and the grape skins would be pushed into the secondary crushing area where the grape skins and stalks would be pressed by use of a “screw press” to extract as much from the grapes as possible.

The crushing of the grapes does not stop until every possible ounce of juice has been extracted. The brethren of the seven churches would be very familiar with the illustration of John.

In this instance, the grapes represent judgment on the enemies of God. The one doing the treading is the Son of God, and He will not stop until every judgment has been meted out.

Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

A “vesture” is an outer garment, much like the cloak worn by the military. “on his thigh” could mean that on both the outer cloak and on the inner clothing would also have His name written. Abbott comments that “’on his thigh’ would mean the name was written on the hilt of His sword.”[1]

“KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

This is the name of a victor. It is a descriptive title of the rider on the white horse. Once again, as in 17:5, there is no reason that all the letters are capitals.

Jesus is sovereign, meaning He has the “absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15–23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”[2]

A paraphrase, “He is THE King and Lord. All of the kings and lords must submit to Him.” The Apostle Paul used this title for Jesus in his epistle to Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Conclusion

In conclusion, when describing Jesus Messiah, there are not enough superlatives, accolades, titles, descriptions, or references to His mighty works to do Him Justice. Perhaps the Apostle John says it best:

John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

[1]Abbott, J. C & Abbott, J. Abbott New Testament Commentary, SwordSearcher 7.0, digital [2] Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.