The Second Coming of Christ
Jesus will return in victory over evil!
This lesson examines Jesus‘s return as depicted in Revelation 19:11 through 20:3, the great battle that will ensue with His coming, and the consequences for those who have opposed him. This scenario brings us toward the climax of the book of The Revelation. God’s great plan reaches a critical point as the powers of earth make a massive attempt to resist heaven (this is happening more so today than ever before). This lesson concludes with Satan being in the bottomless pit, (have you ever looked at people’s lives and thought, your path is leading you to destruction?) preparatory to the thousand year reign of Christ on earth the millennial reign of Christ. While this lesson does not deal specifically with the millennial reign of Christ, it’s strongly emphasizes the victory of Christ over all evil.
Rev 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.
Listen to this interesting story: On the coast of Leyte Island in the Philippines stand larger than life statues of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur and his staff wading onto the beach. The monument commemorates the return of MacArthur after having evacuated from the Philippines during World War II. When he left, MacArthur declared, I shall return. He kept his promise, returning victoriously to the islands. This is one of the most memorable stories of someone who promised to return and kept his word. However, this and all other amazing stories of people who returned are nothing to compare with how great an event it will be when Jesus Christ returns, as he promised He will.
One question: will we know and recognize Him when we see Him, or will we be totally astonished when we enter His presence?! For we who have a relationship with Christ, I believe it will be like finally seeing someone you have loved for so many years and the connection will be the sweetest happening in all eternity! There can be no awkwardness in the presence of Jesus Christ! He will be beyond everything we could ever imagine!
CHRIST RETURNS TRIUMPHANT
A. The Glorious Rider
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.
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.
19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
…….Jesus‘s return will be completely opposite to his first coming as an infant in Bethlehem. He will come again as the Warrior King. In the Old Testament, God the Lord is described as “a man of war” who goes to battle for his people Israel (Exodus 15:1-3). In John’s vision the bloodstained robe of the writer (verse 13) is thought to be an allusion to his battle courage as a warrior (Isaiah 63 1-6; compare Revelation 19:15). Some have wondered whether the blood is an allusion to his own sacrifice for the blood of his enemies. The Isaiah passage makes us think the latter, while other descriptions of the lamb make us think of the former. Perhaps the description is intentionally ambiguous to allow both interpretations. Jesus Christ suffered and shed his blood, even unto death on the cross, but ultimately, he triumphs over all of his enemies. He will come again to judge and make war in righteousness, unlike the many evil rulers of this world who’s wars have been unjust.
B. His Army Follows Him
19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
…….To understand who these battle followers are, we must go back a few scriptures to Verse 7: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready (The bride of Christ has always been the church!). 8: And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
…….The fine linen clean and white is signifying those who have overcome the world and have been redeemed by Christ, purified from all sin by His cleansing blood.
…….This army wears unusual clothing for war. Typical warriors are clothed in armor, but this lets us know that the following warriors will not be doing the fighting. While Jesus himself will be the one doing all the fighting, the church (His Bride) will be as witnesses and recipients of His great victory!
…….Every battle that you have ever been through, every victory that you have ever desired to see will boil down to this final battle!
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
A. The Warrior King
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.
…….Think about how revealing John describes this battle. The rider (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) will not have to pick up a single weapon. His words alone will be as a sword annihilating every enemy that is in His path! Now think about what happens in a wine press… the grapes are nearly disintegrated while nearly and only the blood of the grape remains. Thank Jesus for redemption!
19:16 And he hath on his vesture (type of robe) and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
…….In Revelation 13:18, the number of the beast (who pretends to be the king of kings) is 666, but falls short of 777, the number of the real King of kings and Lord of lords. John’s first language was Aramaic (closely related to Hebrew). Each letter in the Aramaic alphabet has a numerical value. When the titles “King of kings” and “Lord of lords” are written in Aramaic, the numerical values of the letters are totaled, the sum is 777. The number seven represents fullness and completion, and is tripled for emphasis. The lamb, Jesus Christ, is the real royal authority over all things in heaven and earth. Everyone else falls short!
B. The Call to Battle
19:17 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;
19:18 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.
…….John visualized an angel literally calling out to vulture type birds to devour the flesh of every foe of Christ who would soon be slain by Him. In Ezekiel 39:17-29, there is a prophecy parallel to the one of John. The same invitation is given to the birds for the feast after battle. The need of this battle foreshadowed what will come later in Johns visions. God promises that His people will be restored, His glory displayed among them, and His Spirit poured out among them.
…….We serve in an army who’s leader is more than confident of victory, and I’m glad I’m on His side!
CHRIST’S ENEMIES VANQUISHED
A. The Great Battle
19:19 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.
19:20 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.
19:21 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.
…….People, the excuse “I didn’t know any better” will not save at that great day. Those who have been and will be deceived are a part of the enemy. Anyone who follows after the tricks of Satan, no matter the timing, will be judged equally with the enemy’s of the Lord. Time is passing in getting acquainted with Gods word and with His purpose. There is no jumping ship when this battle begins.
B. Satan Bound
Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
…….In Revelation chapter 9 Satan was loser from the pit to wreak havoc and deceive all that could be deceived.
20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
…….Just like kings and leaders of this world, but totally opposite of the Lord, Satan will be sitting back watching the destruction of his army.
20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
