The Millennium, Final Judgments, & Eternity, the third of three studies of The Revelation of Jesus Christ
by Paige Ramsey
The Second Coming of Christ – Lesson 3
Revelation 19:11-21
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12 His eyes werelike a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; He had a name written
that no one knew, except Himself.
13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean followed Him on white horses.
15 Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He
Himself shall rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness
and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF
LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls
that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the
great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and
the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and
bond, both small and great.”
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make
war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before
him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that
worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword
proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
A Grand Procession!
Those who hold the idealist view (believe most everything in the Revelation is symbolic of spiritual things) believe the white horse that Christ rides and the whites horses on which His army is following are symbolic of the Gospel, or “good news” that Christ has paid the price for sin. Others have taken that view and incorporated it into another, more literal view. For example, look at what John Gill has to say:
…and behold a white horse which, as in Rev. 6:2, may be a symbol of the Gospel,
and Gospel ministers, as there in the former, here in the latter part of the
Gospel dispensation; signified by a horse, to denote the swift progress of the
Gospel in the latter day, the majesty, power, and authority with which it will
come, bearing down all opposition made against it; and by a white horse, to
express the purity of the Gospel, and of its preachers and professors, and the
peace it publishes, and gives, and the joy it brings, and the triumphs that will
attend it.[i]
Obviously, John Gill thought that the gospel would continue to propagate and be so widely accepted that the gospel itself would “usher in” the Kingdom of Christ. John Gill lived from 1690 until 1771. During his lifespan, this was a common theory, as the Reformation saw a tremendous surge of Biblical teaching, preaching, many coming to know the Lord, many standing upon the truths of Scripture against the traditional teachings of
the Roman Catholic Church. Most theologians of the day thought this trend would surely continue now that the New World was founded, and soon so many people would come to know the Lord that His kingdom would be established and Christ would return.
Perhaps the white horses are symbolic. After all we know that white has symbolized purity and righteousness from Biblical times, so the means by which we, now made pure and righteous, return to this earth from the Third Heaven with our Lord is an absolutely pure type of travel. Also, in Biblical times, one who traveled on a horse was one who was wealthy and powerful. This is quite the contrast when compared to the method by
which Jesus entered Jerusalem to die. That day, he rode a donkey– a symbol of humility and lowliness. How fitting for someone who was to be executed for the sins of the world – what perfect symbolism! But… it wasn’t just a symbolic method of travel – he actually rode a live donkey. The symbolism of a white horse on which the King rides into His kingdom is not missed, nor the symbolism of the white horses upon which the kings who will reign with Him. Jesus isn’t coming to die this time – He is coming in all of His power and majesty to reign
with a rod of iron – to right the rights and wreck the wrongs and make the crooked straight! But, as He actually rode that lowly donkey into Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, why couldn’t He actually be riding a strong, white stallion as He comes to set up His kingdom?
Is it really going to matter to us how we arrive? When the time comes, if we have taken this prophetical book literally, and we learn then that it is really a completely figurative book, will we be ashamed that we hadn’t figured it all out? Will we be embarrassed to have taken the Lord literally at His Word? Or will we be amazed and excited to see wonders that John couldn’t possibly have put into words that would make any sense at
all? I truly believe there is a literal Third Heaven where we will go to be with our Lord at the Judgment Seat (Bema) and a marriage ceremony where we will unite with Him for eternity. I have no problems believing Christ will lead us back to earth on a white horse, and we will be following Him on white horses to reign
with Him in His kingdom for a literal one thousand years. If I am wrong, and everything is symbolic, it will not hinder my experience or the love I have for my Lord. I will not be embarrassed for my misunderstanding. In fact, it will be a thrill of discovery, and I will be that much more amazed at our glorious Lord. For now, though, taking a literal approach seems best and most fitting for my simple mind.
An Open Door
Notice that heaven opened. Which heaven? Is this the planetary heaven, so that there would be a rip in space where those on the earth could see the procession coming from beyond the stars? Or is it the atmospheric heaven, where the clouds will part for people to witness this glorious parade coming through the air? I lean more to this being the opening of the Third Heaven, like a portal door from another dimension that would connect this universe with that realm. But, however this miraculous event will occur, it will be a stupendous marvel for those on this earth to see! And what will they behold? A white horse! Purity, power, majesty!!
And the One who sits on that horse is Faithful and True. This can be no other than the Lord Jesus Christ! He was faithful in creation to design such a grand habitation for mankind. He was faithful when mankind fell to come and look for us, promising a Redeemer. He was faithful to find favor and save Noah and his family with their pure generations. He was faithful to call Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob to establish a nation that would pen the Word of God, keep it pure, and bring the Savior into the world. He was true to His promise, and came Himself as a babe to bring salvation to this world and give life to those who were dead in sin. He was true to send the
Comforter to live in our hearts, teaching and guiding us in our Spiritual Walk. Jesus is Faithful and True!!
He is our King!! And He is Coming!!
He is coming as a Judge and to make war. This is the side of Jesus we do not know, and do not want to know! To the saved, He is the Lamb of God, slain for our sins and to the church, He is our Bridegroom who unites with us in love. However, to the ungodly, He is the righteous Judge and wrathful, mighty Warrior who will punish and annihilate those who trample the grace of God and refuse His mercy.
A Definite Identity!
Just in case anyone should mistake who this majestic rider is, John describes Him having eyes like flames of fire, with many crowns on His head. In his original vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, John recorded in Rev. 1:14 that His eyes were as a flame of fire. Then, in Rev. 4:10, the twenty four elders cast their crowns before the Throne of God. John is clearly stating, “This is Jesus! The same One I saw standing in the midst of the churches! The same One who sits on the Throne of God!”
And then he mentions a name written which no one knew. Do you remember anything similar in our past lessons? Yes! Jesus said something similar to two of the churches! To the church of Pergamos, He said,
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; to him who overcomes I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he who receives it.[ii]”
Also, to the church in Philadelphia, Jesus said, “He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.[iii]” So, there can be no doubt to whom John is referring as the leading rider of the white horse – it is Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, the Lamb, the Creator, the same yesterday, today, and forever![iv]
Of Rev. 19:13, one commentary says:
Isa 63:2 is alluded to here, and in Rev 19:15, end. There the blood is not His own, but that of His foes. So here the blood on His “vesture,” reminding us of His own blood shed for even the ungodly who trample on it, is a premonition of the shedding of their blood in righteous retribution. He sheds the blood, not of the godly, as the harlot and beast did, but of the blood-stained ungodly, including them both.[v]
The reference he gives, Isaiah 63:2 is better rendered reading the larger passage, Isaiah 63:1-4:
“Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? He who
is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength?”
“I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
“Why are You red in Your apparel, and why are Your garments like him who
treads in the winefat?”
"I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me:
for I will tread them in My anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood
shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment. For the day
of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed is come.”
Indeed, there is no mistaking that John was giving this reference in Isaiah. This robe dipped in blood represents the blood that will drench it when the Lord slaughters the ungodly and tramples them like those who squish the grapes with their feet in the winepress and the juice stains their garments. At first glance of this verse, I thought of His robe dipped in the blood He shed for our sins. However, that really didn’t make
sense. His blood was shed to cover US –He has no sin of His own to cover! Yet, we are clothed in linen, pure and white– the blood has been applied and we are completely clean – without spot or blemish! This reference really cleared up the question in my mind. This is the blood of the ungodly. Make no mistake – God is
a God of wrath, and He will have vengeance.
His name is called the Word of God. John 1:1-3, 14 reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” Again, one more reference so that we can be 100% sure this is none other than Jesus, who created the world and everything in it and was born of a virgin in Bethlehem.
Who Comes With the King?
Most theologians I have read indicate that the entire realm of heaven will descend for this battle. The armies (plural) of heaven could easily refer to all the hosts of heaven, all the saints and all the angels. However, Albert Barnes makes a good observation:
The heavenly hosts; particularly, it would seem, the redeemed, as there would be some incongruity in representing the angels as riding in this manner. Doubtless the original of this picture is Isa 63:3; “I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with me.” These hosts of the redeemed on white horses accompany him to be witnesses of his victory, and to participate in the joy of the triumph, not to
engage in the work of blood.[vi]
Though Scripture never depicts angels riding horses, they are warriors and conquerors, and as such, could ride horses. However, the reference in Isaiah was given for a reason, and in that reference, there is only One warrior – alone. Angels will not fight this battle. The church will not fight this battle. This battle belongs to the Lord. We know for a fact that the church, the Bride of Christ will be one of the armies that follow the Lord. If the other armies include the Old Testament Saints (which would mean they are not part of the Bride) or various armies of angels, I cannot be sure. But I can whole heartedly agree with Albert Barnes that Jesus will fight and win this battle alone, and the Bride is there for observance and to accompany her husband, and to begin reigning in the new kingdom. The other armies are also there for observance – to establish a witness of the righteous judgment and the power of the Lord.
A Powerful Weapon!
The sharp sword which goes out of the Lord’s mouth is the Word of God. This alliteration is clear throughout the New Testament[vii]. Remember in Rev. 1:16, “out of His mouth went a sharp, two-edged sword,”again establishing His identity. So, His name is the Word of God, and out of His mouth comes the Word of God. Everything God speaks is Truth. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Our life depends entirely upon God’s spoken words. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 when He said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
When God speaks, things happen. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.“Let there be a firmament… Let the dry land appear… Let the earth bring forth grass and herbs… Let us make man in our
image…” God’s Word is POWERFUL!! The armies that have gathered together to fight this powerful righteous Judge and mighty Warrior do not stand a chance! They will have the latest technologies, the strength of a multitude of well-trained soldiers, and the best battle plan known to man, yet when Jesus, sitting upon
His white horse, opens his mouth and says, “Die!” they will all die, and the battle is over – finished – and Jesus remains King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Recap
Remember, at this time on earth, the population has dwindled severely. The church (Bride) of Christ was taken. Many were killed in the wars of the Second Seal. Even more died during the famines of the third seal. A full one-fourth of the remaining population will die in the pestilence of the fourth seal. Many more died from the poisoned waters when the third trumpet sounded. One-third of those who have survived to this point will
die when the sixth trumpet sounds and the four angels are released out of the river Euphrates. Those who came to know the Lord during the Great Tribulation have been beheaded. So, the earth’s population is now diminished conservatively to between two – three billion people.
Let’s get the order of events straight. The armies of the nations left will gather at Armageddon to battle. These armies are at war with one another. However, when the Lord appears in the sky, the armies will realize that they all have a common enemy and together they will turn to fight against the King of all kings. First, Jesus will touch down on the Mount of Olives, as predicted by the angels there when He ascended. When He touches down, the mountain will split, providing the Hebrew people who still remain in Jerusalem and now see their
Messiah an escape route[viii]. Jesus also spoke of this in Matthew 24:15-22, Mark 13:14-20, and Luke 21:20-23. Second, Jesus will take the Anti-Christ (or the Beast) and the False Prophet who has helped the Anti-Christ and throw them into Gehenna, the Lake of Fire.
Third, Jesus aims His sword toward “the nations.” This is a term the Hebrew people used for the Gentiles – the Gentile nations – the ungodly nations. All of these armies will instantly die at the Word of their Judge. Now, understand, this is taking place near Jerusalem in the valley of Armageddon, where the Lake of Fire got its name. Don’t confuse the two. There was (is) a valley where the Jews burned their garbage – a dump ground, as we would say, called Gehenna in the Greek New Testament. Gehenna burned continually; the flames never died out. Jesus effectively used this valley to describe the Lake of Fire in many of His teachings.[ix]
Hell?
English translations sometimes leave us very much in the dark. While the Greek described three different places, using three different words, the English translators used only one word. Most renderings of the English word “hell” in the New Testament is the Greek word “Hades” or the underworld of the dead. Its counterpart in the Hebrew is “Sheol.” Just because the New Testament uses the word “Hades” does not mean that the
writers agreed with the Greek mythology associated with that word. It was simply the closest to the word “Sheol” in the Greek language. Then, in 2 Peter 2:4, the writers chose the word“Tartaroo” or “Tartaros” which means the lowest part of “Hades” where the angels who sinned in Noah’s day are kept in prison. But, in the above mentioned places of Jesus’ teachings, He used the word “Gehenna.” I believe that Jesus was describing “The Lake of Fire” when He used that name. When John penned The Revelation, he simply said, “The Lake of Fire” to describe the eternal hell-fire that forever is burning and never burns up. Three different places. It’s no wonder the English speaking people have had a distorted idea of hell. We’ll learn more about these places in a future lesson on the Great White Throne Judgment.
A Fabulous Feast!
Fourth, when the Sword goes out and destroys the armies of the nations, the angel will call all the birds together to feast upon the flesh of the kings, captains, horses, and soldiers. The blood will run as deep as a horse’s bridle in this valley. That is a massive amount of blood! And the birds will not go hungry for a long time! In fact, they’ll have quite a job to accomplish. Birds are God’s clean-up crew. We mostly see them on
the highway cleaning up the dead bodies of animals that have not properly respected the dangers of men’s highways. But they are in the country side as well. They have a stupendous sense of smell. Anytime a faint odor of death catches their nostrils (the victim doesn’t even have to be dead yet) from hundreds of feet in the sky, they hone in with precise accuracy and clean up the dead body in no time.
I am always amazed at the speed in which they rid the road of a dead skunk. That’s the only animal that stinks enough for me to calculate by. One day, a dead skunk will have putrefied an entire section of my daily route. All day I am made very aware of its presence. Sometimes I see the culprit and sometimes I don’t. Usually by the next day or day after, it’s gone. I used to think, “Wow, some great, wonderful person has gone out there,
found the dead skunk and buried it so we wouldn’t have to smell it any longer!” Then, one morning, I saw vultures eating a rotting skunk on the side of the road. By a little after noon, it was completely gone. We don’t even have trash pick-up so efficient! This feast will be so massive that birds from all over the world will come at the beckoning of the Lord to clean up the largest blood bath of all time, and they’ll completely fill their tummies!
So, with the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet in the Lake of Fire, and with the armies of the nations annihilated, and the entire mess cleaned up by the birds, the Lord is ready to take His next steps to set up His Kingdom on this earth for one thousand years. We will study those in our next lesson.
Prepare
Read Rev. 20:1–10 and jot down your observations or questions from these verses. Pray. Satan would
love to confuse you and keep you from studying this book. Remember, it is the only book with a promise of a blessing for those who read it, so God wants us to know these things. We may not understand everything perfectly, but if we seek God’s wisdom, He will give it to us and lead us into more and more knowledge.
[i]Gill, John; John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, Rev. 19:11.
[ii]Revelation 2:17
[iii]Revelation 3:12
[iv]Hebrews 13:8
[v] Jamieson, Rob’t; Fausset, A.R., & Brown, David; A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown; Rev. 19:13.
[vi]Barnes, Albert (1798 –1870); Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Rev. 19:14
[vii]Matthew 10:34; Luke 2:35; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16; 2:12, 16.
[viii]Zechariah 14:2-9
[ix]Matthew 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12 His eyes werelike a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; He had a name written
that no one knew, except Himself.
13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean followed Him on white horses.
15 Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He
Himself shall rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness
and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF
LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls
that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the
great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and
the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and
bond, both small and great.”
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make
war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before
him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that
worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword
proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
A Grand Procession!
Those who hold the idealist view (believe most everything in the Revelation is symbolic of spiritual things) believe the white horse that Christ rides and the whites horses on which His army is following are symbolic of the Gospel, or “good news” that Christ has paid the price for sin. Others have taken that view and incorporated it into another, more literal view. For example, look at what John Gill has to say:
…and behold a white horse which, as in Rev. 6:2, may be a symbol of the Gospel,
and Gospel ministers, as there in the former, here in the latter part of the
Gospel dispensation; signified by a horse, to denote the swift progress of the
Gospel in the latter day, the majesty, power, and authority with which it will
come, bearing down all opposition made against it; and by a white horse, to
express the purity of the Gospel, and of its preachers and professors, and the
peace it publishes, and gives, and the joy it brings, and the triumphs that will
attend it.[i]
Obviously, John Gill thought that the gospel would continue to propagate and be so widely accepted that the gospel itself would “usher in” the Kingdom of Christ. John Gill lived from 1690 until 1771. During his lifespan, this was a common theory, as the Reformation saw a tremendous surge of Biblical teaching, preaching, many coming to know the Lord, many standing upon the truths of Scripture against the traditional teachings of
the Roman Catholic Church. Most theologians of the day thought this trend would surely continue now that the New World was founded, and soon so many people would come to know the Lord that His kingdom would be established and Christ would return.
Perhaps the white horses are symbolic. After all we know that white has symbolized purity and righteousness from Biblical times, so the means by which we, now made pure and righteous, return to this earth from the Third Heaven with our Lord is an absolutely pure type of travel. Also, in Biblical times, one who traveled on a horse was one who was wealthy and powerful. This is quite the contrast when compared to the method by
which Jesus entered Jerusalem to die. That day, he rode a donkey– a symbol of humility and lowliness. How fitting for someone who was to be executed for the sins of the world – what perfect symbolism! But… it wasn’t just a symbolic method of travel – he actually rode a live donkey. The symbolism of a white horse on which the King rides into His kingdom is not missed, nor the symbolism of the white horses upon which the kings who will reign with Him. Jesus isn’t coming to die this time – He is coming in all of His power and majesty to reign
with a rod of iron – to right the rights and wreck the wrongs and make the crooked straight! But, as He actually rode that lowly donkey into Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, why couldn’t He actually be riding a strong, white stallion as He comes to set up His kingdom?
Is it really going to matter to us how we arrive? When the time comes, if we have taken this prophetical book literally, and we learn then that it is really a completely figurative book, will we be ashamed that we hadn’t figured it all out? Will we be embarrassed to have taken the Lord literally at His Word? Or will we be amazed and excited to see wonders that John couldn’t possibly have put into words that would make any sense at
all? I truly believe there is a literal Third Heaven where we will go to be with our Lord at the Judgment Seat (Bema) and a marriage ceremony where we will unite with Him for eternity. I have no problems believing Christ will lead us back to earth on a white horse, and we will be following Him on white horses to reign
with Him in His kingdom for a literal one thousand years. If I am wrong, and everything is symbolic, it will not hinder my experience or the love I have for my Lord. I will not be embarrassed for my misunderstanding. In fact, it will be a thrill of discovery, and I will be that much more amazed at our glorious Lord. For now, though, taking a literal approach seems best and most fitting for my simple mind.
An Open Door
Notice that heaven opened. Which heaven? Is this the planetary heaven, so that there would be a rip in space where those on the earth could see the procession coming from beyond the stars? Or is it the atmospheric heaven, where the clouds will part for people to witness this glorious parade coming through the air? I lean more to this being the opening of the Third Heaven, like a portal door from another dimension that would connect this universe with that realm. But, however this miraculous event will occur, it will be a stupendous marvel for those on this earth to see! And what will they behold? A white horse! Purity, power, majesty!!
And the One who sits on that horse is Faithful and True. This can be no other than the Lord Jesus Christ! He was faithful in creation to design such a grand habitation for mankind. He was faithful when mankind fell to come and look for us, promising a Redeemer. He was faithful to find favor and save Noah and his family with their pure generations. He was faithful to call Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob to establish a nation that would pen the Word of God, keep it pure, and bring the Savior into the world. He was true to His promise, and came Himself as a babe to bring salvation to this world and give life to those who were dead in sin. He was true to send the
Comforter to live in our hearts, teaching and guiding us in our Spiritual Walk. Jesus is Faithful and True!!
He is our King!! And He is Coming!!
He is coming as a Judge and to make war. This is the side of Jesus we do not know, and do not want to know! To the saved, He is the Lamb of God, slain for our sins and to the church, He is our Bridegroom who unites with us in love. However, to the ungodly, He is the righteous Judge and wrathful, mighty Warrior who will punish and annihilate those who trample the grace of God and refuse His mercy.
A Definite Identity!
Just in case anyone should mistake who this majestic rider is, John describes Him having eyes like flames of fire, with many crowns on His head. In his original vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, John recorded in Rev. 1:14 that His eyes were as a flame of fire. Then, in Rev. 4:10, the twenty four elders cast their crowns before the Throne of God. John is clearly stating, “This is Jesus! The same One I saw standing in the midst of the churches! The same One who sits on the Throne of God!”
And then he mentions a name written which no one knew. Do you remember anything similar in our past lessons? Yes! Jesus said something similar to two of the churches! To the church of Pergamos, He said,
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; to him who overcomes I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he who receives it.[ii]”
Also, to the church in Philadelphia, Jesus said, “He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.[iii]” So, there can be no doubt to whom John is referring as the leading rider of the white horse – it is Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, the Lamb, the Creator, the same yesterday, today, and forever![iv]
Of Rev. 19:13, one commentary says:
Isa 63:2 is alluded to here, and in Rev 19:15, end. There the blood is not His own, but that of His foes. So here the blood on His “vesture,” reminding us of His own blood shed for even the ungodly who trample on it, is a premonition of the shedding of their blood in righteous retribution. He sheds the blood, not of the godly, as the harlot and beast did, but of the blood-stained ungodly, including them both.[v]
The reference he gives, Isaiah 63:2 is better rendered reading the larger passage, Isaiah 63:1-4:
“Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? He who
is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength?”
“I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
“Why are You red in Your apparel, and why are Your garments like him who
treads in the winefat?”
"I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me:
for I will tread them in My anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood
shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment. For the day
of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed is come.”
Indeed, there is no mistaking that John was giving this reference in Isaiah. This robe dipped in blood represents the blood that will drench it when the Lord slaughters the ungodly and tramples them like those who squish the grapes with their feet in the winepress and the juice stains their garments. At first glance of this verse, I thought of His robe dipped in the blood He shed for our sins. However, that really didn’t make
sense. His blood was shed to cover US –He has no sin of His own to cover! Yet, we are clothed in linen, pure and white– the blood has been applied and we are completely clean – without spot or blemish! This reference really cleared up the question in my mind. This is the blood of the ungodly. Make no mistake – God is
a God of wrath, and He will have vengeance.
His name is called the Word of God. John 1:1-3, 14 reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” Again, one more reference so that we can be 100% sure this is none other than Jesus, who created the world and everything in it and was born of a virgin in Bethlehem.
Who Comes With the King?
Most theologians I have read indicate that the entire realm of heaven will descend for this battle. The armies (plural) of heaven could easily refer to all the hosts of heaven, all the saints and all the angels. However, Albert Barnes makes a good observation:
The heavenly hosts; particularly, it would seem, the redeemed, as there would be some incongruity in representing the angels as riding in this manner. Doubtless the original of this picture is Isa 63:3; “I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with me.” These hosts of the redeemed on white horses accompany him to be witnesses of his victory, and to participate in the joy of the triumph, not to
engage in the work of blood.[vi]
Though Scripture never depicts angels riding horses, they are warriors and conquerors, and as such, could ride horses. However, the reference in Isaiah was given for a reason, and in that reference, there is only One warrior – alone. Angels will not fight this battle. The church will not fight this battle. This battle belongs to the Lord. We know for a fact that the church, the Bride of Christ will be one of the armies that follow the Lord. If the other armies include the Old Testament Saints (which would mean they are not part of the Bride) or various armies of angels, I cannot be sure. But I can whole heartedly agree with Albert Barnes that Jesus will fight and win this battle alone, and the Bride is there for observance and to accompany her husband, and to begin reigning in the new kingdom. The other armies are also there for observance – to establish a witness of the righteous judgment and the power of the Lord.
A Powerful Weapon!
The sharp sword which goes out of the Lord’s mouth is the Word of God. This alliteration is clear throughout the New Testament[vii]. Remember in Rev. 1:16, “out of His mouth went a sharp, two-edged sword,”again establishing His identity. So, His name is the Word of God, and out of His mouth comes the Word of God. Everything God speaks is Truth. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Our life depends entirely upon God’s spoken words. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 when He said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
When God speaks, things happen. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.“Let there be a firmament… Let the dry land appear… Let the earth bring forth grass and herbs… Let us make man in our
image…” God’s Word is POWERFUL!! The armies that have gathered together to fight this powerful righteous Judge and mighty Warrior do not stand a chance! They will have the latest technologies, the strength of a multitude of well-trained soldiers, and the best battle plan known to man, yet when Jesus, sitting upon
His white horse, opens his mouth and says, “Die!” they will all die, and the battle is over – finished – and Jesus remains King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Recap
Remember, at this time on earth, the population has dwindled severely. The church (Bride) of Christ was taken. Many were killed in the wars of the Second Seal. Even more died during the famines of the third seal. A full one-fourth of the remaining population will die in the pestilence of the fourth seal. Many more died from the poisoned waters when the third trumpet sounded. One-third of those who have survived to this point will
die when the sixth trumpet sounds and the four angels are released out of the river Euphrates. Those who came to know the Lord during the Great Tribulation have been beheaded. So, the earth’s population is now diminished conservatively to between two – three billion people.
Let’s get the order of events straight. The armies of the nations left will gather at Armageddon to battle. These armies are at war with one another. However, when the Lord appears in the sky, the armies will realize that they all have a common enemy and together they will turn to fight against the King of all kings. First, Jesus will touch down on the Mount of Olives, as predicted by the angels there when He ascended. When He touches down, the mountain will split, providing the Hebrew people who still remain in Jerusalem and now see their
Messiah an escape route[viii]. Jesus also spoke of this in Matthew 24:15-22, Mark 13:14-20, and Luke 21:20-23. Second, Jesus will take the Anti-Christ (or the Beast) and the False Prophet who has helped the Anti-Christ and throw them into Gehenna, the Lake of Fire.
Third, Jesus aims His sword toward “the nations.” This is a term the Hebrew people used for the Gentiles – the Gentile nations – the ungodly nations. All of these armies will instantly die at the Word of their Judge. Now, understand, this is taking place near Jerusalem in the valley of Armageddon, where the Lake of Fire got its name. Don’t confuse the two. There was (is) a valley where the Jews burned their garbage – a dump ground, as we would say, called Gehenna in the Greek New Testament. Gehenna burned continually; the flames never died out. Jesus effectively used this valley to describe the Lake of Fire in many of His teachings.[ix]
Hell?
English translations sometimes leave us very much in the dark. While the Greek described three different places, using three different words, the English translators used only one word. Most renderings of the English word “hell” in the New Testament is the Greek word “Hades” or the underworld of the dead. Its counterpart in the Hebrew is “Sheol.” Just because the New Testament uses the word “Hades” does not mean that the
writers agreed with the Greek mythology associated with that word. It was simply the closest to the word “Sheol” in the Greek language. Then, in 2 Peter 2:4, the writers chose the word“Tartaroo” or “Tartaros” which means the lowest part of “Hades” where the angels who sinned in Noah’s day are kept in prison. But, in the above mentioned places of Jesus’ teachings, He used the word “Gehenna.” I believe that Jesus was describing “The Lake of Fire” when He used that name. When John penned The Revelation, he simply said, “The Lake of Fire” to describe the eternal hell-fire that forever is burning and never burns up. Three different places. It’s no wonder the English speaking people have had a distorted idea of hell. We’ll learn more about these places in a future lesson on the Great White Throne Judgment.
A Fabulous Feast!
Fourth, when the Sword goes out and destroys the armies of the nations, the angel will call all the birds together to feast upon the flesh of the kings, captains, horses, and soldiers. The blood will run as deep as a horse’s bridle in this valley. That is a massive amount of blood! And the birds will not go hungry for a long time! In fact, they’ll have quite a job to accomplish. Birds are God’s clean-up crew. We mostly see them on
the highway cleaning up the dead bodies of animals that have not properly respected the dangers of men’s highways. But they are in the country side as well. They have a stupendous sense of smell. Anytime a faint odor of death catches their nostrils (the victim doesn’t even have to be dead yet) from hundreds of feet in the sky, they hone in with precise accuracy and clean up the dead body in no time.
I am always amazed at the speed in which they rid the road of a dead skunk. That’s the only animal that stinks enough for me to calculate by. One day, a dead skunk will have putrefied an entire section of my daily route. All day I am made very aware of its presence. Sometimes I see the culprit and sometimes I don’t. Usually by the next day or day after, it’s gone. I used to think, “Wow, some great, wonderful person has gone out there,
found the dead skunk and buried it so we wouldn’t have to smell it any longer!” Then, one morning, I saw vultures eating a rotting skunk on the side of the road. By a little after noon, it was completely gone. We don’t even have trash pick-up so efficient! This feast will be so massive that birds from all over the world will come at the beckoning of the Lord to clean up the largest blood bath of all time, and they’ll completely fill their tummies!
So, with the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet in the Lake of Fire, and with the armies of the nations annihilated, and the entire mess cleaned up by the birds, the Lord is ready to take His next steps to set up His Kingdom on this earth for one thousand years. We will study those in our next lesson.
Prepare
Read Rev. 20:1–10 and jot down your observations or questions from these verses. Pray. Satan would
love to confuse you and keep you from studying this book. Remember, it is the only book with a promise of a blessing for those who read it, so God wants us to know these things. We may not understand everything perfectly, but if we seek God’s wisdom, He will give it to us and lead us into more and more knowledge.
[i]Gill, John; John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, Rev. 19:11.
[ii]Revelation 2:17
[iii]Revelation 3:12
[iv]Hebrews 13:8
[v] Jamieson, Rob’t; Fausset, A.R., & Brown, David; A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown; Rev. 19:13.
[vi]Barnes, Albert (1798 –1870); Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Rev. 19:14
[vii]Matthew 10:34; Luke 2:35; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16; 2:12, 16.
[viii]Zechariah 14:2-9
[ix]Matthew 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5