The Glorious Return Of Jesus Christ

Pastor Michael Huffman

The Book of Revelation • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Revelation 19:11–21

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Revelation 19:11–21 AV

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. 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. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 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 he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 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; 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. 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. 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. 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.

Introduction:

We are not entering the realm of the second greatest event in human history; second only His first coming, whill be the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 15. The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ : (Revelation 19:11–21)

God’s people throughout redemptive history have eagerly anticipated the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to defeat His foes and set up His kingdom. That will be the time when the destruction of Satan is completed (Gen. 3:15; Rom. 16:20), when the true King receives the ruling scepter (Gen. 49:10), when God will establish the throne of David’s greater Son (2 Sam. 7:13; Isa. 9:7), when the Son will rule the earth with a rod of iron (Ps. 2:6–9), when the armies of Gog and Magog will be shattered (Ezek. 38–39), when the nations will be judged (Joel 3:1–2, 12–14) after their defeat in battle by the returning King (Zech. 14:3–4), when Jerusalem will be the center of Messiah’s kingdom (Zech. 12:3–9), when the angels will gather the wicked for judgment (Matt. 13:41–42; 25:41), when the wicked will face God’s wrath and indignation (Rom. 2:5–9), and when the Lord Jesus Christ will descend visibly (Rev. 1:7) from heaven in flaming fire, bringing retribution on the persecutors of His people (2 Thess. 1:6–9; cf. Rev. 6:9–11).

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 15. The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ : (Revelation 19:11–21)

The second coming of Jesus Christ is thus the culmination of redemptive history. Believers of all ages have eagerly anticipated that glorious event (cf. Isa. 64:1–2). In fact, the apostle Paul defined Christians as those “who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8). Many believers, however, are enamored by the things of the world and do not love Christ’s appearing as they should. Certainly the Tribulation believers will have no such problem. They will be persecuted, hunted outcasts (cf. 13:17), living constantly under the sentence of death (13:15) in an unspeakably vile, demon-infested world. Christ’s coming will be what they long for and pray for.

Let me, by way of introduction, give you a brief theology of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

It is a Personal Coming

Acts 1:11 AV

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Colossians 3:4 AV

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 AV

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

2. A Physical Coming

Hebrews 9:28 AV

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

3. A Visible Coming

Matthew 24:30 AV

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 26:64 AV

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Titus 2:13 AV

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:14 AV

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

4. A Sudden Coming

1 Thessalonians 5:2 AV

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

5. A Glorious and Triumphal Coming

Matthew 24:30 AV

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 15. The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ : (Revelation 19:11–21)

The Second Coming must be distinguished from the Rapture of the church prior to the seven-year Tribulation; the differing biblical descriptions of the two events indicate that they are distinct from each other. At the Rapture, Christ comes for His saints (John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:16–17); at the Second Coming, He comes with them (see the discussion of v. 14 below). Furthermore, at the Rapture, Christ meets His saints in the air (1 Thess. 4:17) to take them to heaven (John 14:2–3); at the Second Coming, He descends with them from heaven to the earth (Zech. 14:4).

Notice with me the thoughts as we discuss the coming of Jesus Christ.

I. The Return of the Conqueror (vs. 11-13)

Revelation 19:11–13 AV

John has a similar vision here that he had back in 4:1 with one very different detail.

In 4:1, heaven was opened to let John in.

This time Heaven is opened to let Jesus out!

The time has come for the full and glorious appearing of the great, sovereign Lord of creation to appear.

Just as Jesus Himself spoke about:

Matthew 24:27–31 AV

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

As this scene unfolds, John is transfixed on the regal majesty of Jesus Christ.

The one who the Scriptures said ascended to heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand making intercession for all of His children is coming back to receive the kingdom that was promised to Him.

Back in Chapter 5 we saw how Jesus Christ received the title deed to the earth and with every seal that was loosened, another judgment was given.

Remember what we said about the title deed?

There were two requirement to be the holder of the title.

You had to have the right to enact what the deed stated.

And you had to have the power to be able to enact what the deed stated.

As Jesus took the title deed in chapter 5 that was the beginning of Him taking back what was rightfully His.

The Lamb of the this current vision is the conquering King.

No longer is Jesus portrayed in His humiliation.

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

He is now the conquering one who has spent the previous seven years judging, now he comes to rule and to reign.

The one who gave His life for the sins of His people at Calvary and subjected Himself the torture of sinners, has spent the last seven years judging the sin and the sinner that caused His pain.

Now He comes back to rule from the throne of His Father David.

The text tells us first that He comes riding a White Horse.

Revelation 19:11 AV

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.

Revelationn 19:11

The fact the Jesus is riding a white symbolizes purity and victory.

A white horse was the horse that was ridden by victorious Roman Generals in during their procession through the streets of Rome.

Now a good question to ask at this point, if you remember all the way back in Chapter 6 is, “Well, doesn’t the rider is that chapter ride a white horse as well? How or why to we identify that rider different that the rider in ”?

A number of reasons.

First, we told when we studied that Chapter that the rider of the white horse cannot be Jesus because Jesus is the one that is opening the seal revealing this rider.

Second we told that the crown that the rider is chapter 6 is wearing is a “στέφανος” crown.

That is a crown that you win when you have been victorious in battle or at the Greek games.

What Jesus is wearing in chapter 19 is not a “στέφανος” but a “διάδημα” which is the crown worn by Kings.

You see, the rider of the white horse in chapter 6 was no king, but the rider of the white horse in chapter 19 is a kings.

Another difference is the rider of the white horse in chapter 6 carries a bow but no arrows.

But Jesus Christ comes welding a sharp sword.

So heaven opens and revels Jesus Christ riding His White Horse.

Then the text tells us that the one that sat on the horse on the horse was called faithful and true.

This, of course, can only refer to Jesus Christ.

This is another difference between the rider of chapter 6 and chapter 19.

The rider of chapter 6 is associated with the one that is called by our Lord, “the father of lies.”

John 8:44 AV

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

There is no more appropriate word that could be said of Christ.

He is faithful to His promises, what He speaks will always happen because he cannot speak a lie.

2 Corinthians 1:20 AV

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

2 Corinthians

Titus 1:2 AV

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Return of the Conqueror

Though some would like to pick and choose which teachings of Jesus they wish to accept, He is just as faithful to His promises of wrath and judgment as He is to His promises of grace and salvation.

The very fact that He is coming as He said He would is proof that He is faithful and true.

Next, because Jesus is faithful and true it follows that He judges in righteousness.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Return of the Conqueror

His holy nature demands a holy, righteous reaction to sin. And because He always does what He says, He must judge the wicked

Matthew 16:27 AV

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

John 5:22 AV

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

John 5:27 AV

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Acts 10:42 AV

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

Acts 17:31 AV

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Romans 2:16 AV

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 AV

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Return of the Conqueror

Jesus came the first time as Savior; He will return as Judge. When He came the first time, wicked people, including Pilate, Herod, Annas, and Caiaphas judged Him; when He returns, He will judge all wicked people (Acts 17:31). And He will not only be their judge, but also their executioner (vv. 15, 21). Angels may gather the wicked for judgment (Matt. 13:41), but the Lord Jesus will pass sentence on them.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Return of the Conqueror

No longer the Suffering Servant of His incarnation, the Lord Jesus Christ is seen in this vision as the warrior King who wages war against His foes. He is the executioner of all ungodly, unbelieving sinners. The only other reference in Scripture to Jesus waging war is in 2:16, when He warned the worldly church at Pergamum, “Repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.” This is not out of keeping with God’s character, however. After their deliverance from the Egyptian forces at the Red Sea, Israel sang,

Exodus 15:3 AV

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Return of the Conqueror

Jesus’ adversaries this time will be the hardened sinners who have defied His judgments and scorned the gospel message during the Tribulation. Despite all the devastating judgments they will have experienced, and the powerful gospel preaching they will have heard, they will stubbornly refuse to repent (9:20–21; 16:9, 11). Since neither judgment nor preaching moves them to repent, Jesus will return to destroy them and send them to hell.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Return of the Conqueror

Unlike other conquerors the world has seen, covetousness, ambition, pride, or power will not motivate this Conqueror. He will come in utter righteousness, in perfect holiness, and in strict accord with every holy interest.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Return of the Conqueror

Habakkuk 1:13 AV

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

Habakkuk 1:3 AV

Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Return of the Conqueror

There is a limit to God’s patience. Justice cannot always tolerate injustice; truth cannot forever tolerate lies; rebellion cannot be permitted to go on forever. Incorrigible, incurable, hardened sinners will face destruction; mercy abused and grace rejected will ultimately bring judgment.

Habak

Unlike other conquerors the world has seen, covetousness, ambition, pride, or power will not motivate this Conqueror. He will come in utter righteousness, in perfect holiness, an

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