4 But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the humble of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. - Isaiah 11:4
In today’s message we will cover 2 topics, as noted by the sermon’s title. We will talk about the return of Christ and the Battle of Armageddon. Both of these events will occur in short order on earth at the end of the Great Tribulation. Let’s get right into it...
I. JESUS’ SECOND COMING (Revelation 19:11-16)
John saw the heavens open and Someone sitting on a white horse. He was called Faithful and True, and came to judge and wage war in righteousness. This Rider wore many crowns on His head, had flaming eyes like fire, and had a name written on Him that only He knew. His robe was dipped in blood, and He was called the Word of God. From His mouth came a sharp sword, with which He would strike down the nations and then rule over them. He would execute the wrath of God Almighty, and on His robe and thigh were written, “King of kings, and Lord of lords”. Along with Him came the armies of heaven, dressed in fine, clean white linens, also riding upon white horses.
The titles attributed to this unidentified Rider make it clear that He is Jesus. He is given 4 names in this passage. The first is “Faithful and True”, adjectives which Jesus used to describe Himself in His message to the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14). The second is an unknown name, which is somewhat reminiscent of the new names that believers will receive in heaven (Revelation 2:17; 3:12). The third is the “Word of God” (John 1:1 & 14). The fourth is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). Jesus is coming again, as a Warrior-King, to defeat God’s enemies once and for all and to set up His eternal kingdom.
Compare these verses to the coming of the Antichrist, who was dispatched to the earth at the beginning of the Tribulation with the breaking of the first seal (Revelation 6:1-2). In an effort to mimic Jesus, the Antichrist also came riding on a white horse intending to conquer and reign. However, he only had one crown (not many) that was given to him, and carried a bow (without arrows?) rather than a sharp sword. No names were attributed to him, unlike those given to Jesus. The Antichrist was a fake Messiah - a counterfeit, but Jesus is the real deal!
When Jesus returns on His gallant white steed, He will be leading the armies of God. Notice that they will also be riding horses and will be dressed in fine, clean, white linens. Such attire seems strangely inappropriate for battle, and more fitting for a wedding. In fact, these garments seem identical with those worn by the bride of Christ during the marriage of the Lamb mentioned earlier in this chapter (Revelation 19:7-8). This suggests that the armies of God will consist of the Church, all born-again Christians who were raptured and subsequently dwelt with Christ in Heaven during the tribulation on earth. This would seemingly place Christ’s return after His wedding celebration.
II. ANTICIPATING THE BATTLE (Revelation 19:17-19)
John saw an angel standing in the sun, crying out loudly to all the birds of the sky, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God.” The angel stated that, following the impending battle, there would be vast amounts of carnage for these scavengers to feed upon. The flesh of slain kings, commanders, mighty men, horses, riders, and all people great or small and free or slave would be scattered across the battlefield.
John saw the Antichrist, also called the beast, along with the kings of the earth and their many armies all assembled together in the valley of Megiddo. They had gathered to wage war with Jesus and His heavenly cavalry. They had begun rallying their forces sometime earlier, with the outpouring of the 6th bowl (Revelation 16:16). Now they had reached full strength, and believed themselves to be adequately prepared for the conflict ahead.
As I prepared this message, I couldn’t help but wonder if the enemies of God who were congregating in the valley could also hear the angel’s disturbing prediction. His words were quite intimidating, similar to those of a prize fighter trying to psych out their opponent before the actual fight. If so, were they emboldened by it or terrified by it? Surely Satan knows that he is a defeated enemy… but is he so full of pride that he can’t admit it?
III. THE ADVERSARY’S DEFEAT (Revelation 19:20-21)
Much has been made about the Battle of Armageddon. It has been portrayed as an epic and grand struggle between the forces of good and evil during the Last Days. Some imagine a hard-fought, prolonged conflict between fierce and mighty champions. While this description may sound compelling and exciting, in truth the Battle will be a one-sided rout. It will be over before it begins, like a boxer who knocks out His opponent on the very first punch. Jesus will defeat His enemies from the air with just a spoken word.
First, at Christ’s command, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will be suddenly seized. Remember that the False Prophet was the Antichrist’s right-hand man, the one who had performed great signs and deceived the masses into taking the mark of the beast and worshiping his image. These 2 wicked characters will immediately be cast alive into the lake of fire, called Gehenna, where they will spend the rest of eternity in burning hell. This will leave the stunned enemies of God without their highest leaders.
Dazed by this quick and unexpected blow, the kings of the earth and their armed forces will also be swiftly cut down and killed. From atop His horse, Jesus will simply speak the word and the sword from His mouth will slaughter all of His enemies. Then, just as predicted, the birds will feast on their lifeless flesh. I’ve heard it said that you shouldn’t talk smack if you can’t back it up. Well, Jesus will have no problem living up to the angel in the sun’s pre-battle hype.
CONCLUSION
Though it often appears in this world that wickedness and corruption have the upper hand, in truth God is overwhelmingly more powerful than all of the forces of darkness combined. Good will resoundingly triumph over evil - it won’t even be close - and Jesus will vanquish all of His enemies. In fact, they will begrudgingly come and bow before Him to acknowledge Him as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Christ will reign in righteousness over the earth forever.
In my opinion, Jesus will not physically set foot on the earth until after the Battle of Armageddon is complete. Once His enemies have been defeated, Jesus will then descend from the sky to the Mount of Olives (also called Mount Zion), where He will be welcomed by the 144,000 Messianic Jews (Revelation 14:1). This will mark His official arrival, the end of the Great Tribulation, and the completion of His Second Coming.
Next week we will consider a few things that will occur following Babylon’s fall and Christ’s return, between the end of the tribulation and the beginning of the Millennium. Don’t miss it!
In today’s message we will cover 2 topics, as noted by the sermon’s title. We will talk about the return of Christ and the Battle of Armageddon. Both of these events will occur in short order on earth at the end of the Great Tribulation. Let’s get right into it...
I. JESUS’ SECOND COMING (Revelation 19:11-16)
John saw the heavens open and Someone sitting on a white horse. He was called Faithful and True, and came to judge and wage war in righteousness. This Rider wore many crowns on His head, had flaming eyes like fire, and had a name written on Him that only He knew. His robe was dipped in blood, and He was called the Word of God. From His mouth came a sharp sword, with which He would strike down the nations and then rule over them. He would execute the wrath of God Almighty, and on His robe and thigh were written, “King of kings, and Lord of lords”. Along with Him came the armies of heaven, dressed in fine, clean white linens, also riding upon white horses.
The titles attributed to this unidentified Rider make it clear that He is Jesus. He is given 4 names in this passage. The first is “Faithful and True”, adjectives which Jesus used to describe Himself in His message to the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14). The second is an unknown name, which is somewhat reminiscent of the new names that believers will receive in heaven (Revelation 2:17; 3:12). The third is the “Word of God” (John 1:1 & 14). The fourth is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). Jesus is coming again, as a Warrior-King, to defeat God’s enemies once and for all and to set up His eternal kingdom.
Compare these verses to the coming of the Antichrist, who was dispatched to the earth at the beginning of the Tribulation with the breaking of the first seal (Revelation 6:1-2). In an effort to mimic Jesus, the Antichrist also came riding on a white horse intending to conquer and reign. However, he only had one crown (not many) that was given to him, and carried a bow (without arrows?) rather than a sharp sword. No names were attributed to him, unlike those given to Jesus. The Antichrist was a fake Messiah - a counterfeit, but Jesus is the real deal!
When Jesus returns on His gallant white steed, He will be leading the armies of God. Notice that they will also be riding horses and will be dressed in fine, clean, white linens. Such attire seems strangely inappropriate for battle, and more fitting for a wedding. In fact, these garments seem identical with those worn by the bride of Christ during the marriage of the Lamb mentioned earlier in this chapter (Revelation 19:7-8). This suggests that the armies of God will consist of the Church, all born-again Christians who were raptured and subsequently dwelt with Christ in Heaven during the tribulation on earth. This would seemingly place Christ’s return after His wedding celebration.
II. ANTICIPATING THE BATTLE (Revelation 19:17-19)
John saw an angel standing in the sun, crying out loudly to all the birds of the sky, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God.” The angel stated that, following the impending battle, there would be vast amounts of carnage for these scavengers to feed upon. The flesh of slain kings, commanders, mighty men, horses, riders, and all people great or small and free or slave would be scattered across the battlefield.
John saw the Antichrist, also called the beast, along with the kings of the earth and their many armies all assembled together in the valley of Megiddo. They had gathered to wage war with Jesus and His heavenly cavalry. They had begun rallying their forces sometime earlier, with the outpouring of the 6th bowl (Revelation 16:16). Now they had reached full strength, and believed themselves to be adequately prepared for the conflict ahead.
As I prepared this message, I couldn’t help but wonder if the enemies of God who were congregating in the valley could also hear the angel’s disturbing prediction. His words were quite intimidating, similar to those of a prize fighter trying to psych out their opponent before the actual fight. If so, were they emboldened by it or terrified by it? Surely Satan knows that he is a defeated enemy… but is he so full of pride that he can’t admit it?
III. THE ADVERSARY’S DEFEAT (Revelation 19:20-21)
Much has been made about the Battle of Armageddon. It has been portrayed as an epic and grand struggle between the forces of good and evil during the Last Days. Some imagine a hard-fought, prolonged conflict between fierce and mighty champions. While this description may sound compelling and exciting, in truth the Battle will be a one-sided rout. It will be over before it begins, like a boxer who knocks out His opponent on the very first punch. Jesus will defeat His enemies from the air with just a spoken word.
First, at Christ’s command, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will be suddenly seized. Remember that the False Prophet was the Antichrist’s right-hand man, the one who had performed great signs and deceived the masses into taking the mark of the beast and worshiping his image. These 2 wicked characters will immediately be cast alive into the lake of fire, called Gehenna, where they will spend the rest of eternity in burning hell. This will leave the stunned enemies of God without their highest leaders.
Dazed by this quick and unexpected blow, the kings of the earth and their armed forces will also be swiftly cut down and killed. From atop His horse, Jesus will simply speak the word and the sword from His mouth will slaughter all of His enemies. Then, just as predicted, the birds will feast on their lifeless flesh. I’ve heard it said that you shouldn’t talk smack if you can’t back it up. Well, Jesus will have no problem living up to the angel in the sun’s pre-battle hype.
CONCLUSION
Though it often appears in this world that wickedness and corruption have the upper hand, in truth God is overwhelmingly more powerful than all of the forces of darkness combined. Good will resoundingly triumph over evil - it won’t even be close - and Jesus will vanquish all of His enemies. In fact, they will begrudgingly come and bow before Him to acknowledge Him as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Christ will reign in righteousness over the earth forever.
In my opinion, Jesus will not physically set foot on the earth until after the Battle of Armageddon is complete. Once His enemies have been defeated, Jesus will then descend from the sky to the Mount of Olives (also called Mount Zion), where He will be welcomed by the 144,000 Messianic Jews (Revelation 14:1). This will mark His official arrival, the end of the Great Tribulation, and the completion of His Second Coming.
Next week we will consider a few things that will occur following Babylon’s fall and Christ’s return, between the end of the tribulation and the beginning of the Millennium. Don’t miss it!