John Brown :: Revelation 19:11-21

When Pastor Melvin Wheatly was in his first church just out of seminary he wanted his first sermon to make a real impact on the new congregation. He preached what he thought was the best sermon on suffering and its meaning. At the door after the service one little lady, who always had a compliment for the preacher, said, "Oh, Pastor Wheatly I never knew what it really meant to suffer until I heard you preach." -- Todd Dyess, Spearman, TX

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Last week we studied the famous HALLELUJAH CHORUS!

1. As the "great multitude" in heaven broke out in praise to the Lord!

2. And we discovered that the word hallelujah actually means "praise ye the Lord".

a) A combination of hallal = "praise", and yah = short for "Jehovah".

b) The saints are overwhelmed with worship as the Lord clothes them in the pure white robes and readies them for the "marriage supper of the Lamb"!

(1) That complete and final restoration of God's people to Himself!

(2) But the "supper" must be held on the earth and the earth is still in bondage to the "kings of the earth"!

(a) Which are in turn: in bondage to the beast, the dragon, and the false prophet!

(b) These as well as a multitude of human armies are gathered in a place called Armageddon, under the power of their commander and chief (Satan) readied for the final war with the Lord!

(3) Let's take a look at this morning's study!

II. REVELATION 19:11-16 Now 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 were like 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 will 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. (NKJV)

A. John had seen this white horse and its rider before in Revelation 6:2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (NKJV)

1. In this earlier verse, (or vision as it were for John), the rider's identity was not given, but here he is identified as the Faithful and True One.

a) Now, we know that even by human standards, there is only one who is Faithful and True, JESUS CHRIST!

2. Notice in verse 1 that He returns as Judge and Warrior!

a) As judge, he must and has pronounced a sentence against all who have oppose His Truth.

b) And as Warrior, HE will carry out the sentence of judgment!

(1) 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire: Just as fire is a great purifier, sometimes leveling entire cities in its path, so are the Lord's eyes!

(a) Nothing that needs to be judged and purged will escape His "FAITHFUL" eyes!

(b) Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. (NKJV)

3. On His head were many crowns, but these are not the same "crowns" mentioned in chapter Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne,... (NKJV)

a) They are also not the crown mentioned in Revelation 6:2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (NKJV)

b) You see, in the two verses I have just mentioned, the Greek word stephanos is used and it means the crown given to the winners in the Olympic games, usually a woven wreath given to the winner.

c) But here in chapter 19 the word diadema is used which has a much different meaning:

(1) A diadem, was a blue band marked with white which Persian kings used to bind on the turban or tiara; their kingly crown!

(2) You see He is not only returning victorious, He is also returning as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! vs. 16.

(a) He is the King of all creation, but Satan has been known as the god of this earth for a long time.

(i) 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)

(b) Now the Lord comes to regain what is His rightfully His!!

(3) Evidently Johns sees on this "diadem" a name written that no one could understand but the Lord Himself!

4. He is wearing a "robe dipped in blood."

a) This time it is symbolic of the slaughter that will take place in this final battle.

(1) Isaiah 63:1-3 Who is this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength? -- "I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save." 2 Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? 3 "I have trodden the winepress alone, And from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes. (NKJV)

5. This mighty conqueror is none other that the "Word of God!

a) It is the same "Word" that John speaks of in John 1:14 And the Word became 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. (NKJV)

b) It is Jesus, the LOGOS or expression of God!

6. He is not alone!

a) A clean, spotless, spiritual "Cavalry" is under His command.

(1) Picture the sight. The Lord leading the way crowned in majesty, riding upon a white stallion with a robe dipped in blood!

(2) Following right behind are millions of saints all dressed in white, and also riding upon white stallions, ready for battle.

7. In the Lord's mouth is a long "saber" or sword.

a) Could it be that His primary offensive weapon is His testimony Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (NKJV)

b) During the millennium, the Lord will rule these Gentile nations with an "iron fist" so to speak. He will demand absolute obedience!

c) He has no need for a sword on His hip as did the warrior of John's day, since His weapon is in His mouth!

(1) Another indication that this is an unconventional battle! 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,... (NKJV)

(2) Even in our own walk, it is the testimony of God's grace that is our greatest "weapon" -

Jim had recently purchased a lumberyard. Though he enjoyed being his own boss, he was looking forward to catching up on all the book work. He intensely disliked working on Sundays, but that was where he was headed. If I ever get my books in order maybe I'll be able to spend more time "loving as Christ loves" like the pastor challenged us today. Jim thought as he drove. When Jim arrived at the yard, he parked across the street from the front door. As he headed towards the front door of the office building, a flurry of activity caught his attention. Two young men were busying themselves loading lumber into a truck. As you have guessed the yard was not open on Sunday! Jim turned and rushed to his car. Fumbling with his keys he struggled to unlock and get in his car. When he finally got the auto started, Jim stopped. He bowed his head and prayed, "Lord, what would you have me do that these two men might know your love?" In the quiet, Jim heard God's answer. Shutting off the car engine, Jim headed back towards the lumberyard and the two hard working thieves. As he approached, Jim let out a hearty, "Howdy!" The men were aghast and attempted to stammer out a reply, but no words came. "Could I lend you guys a hand?" Jim asked. "I guess so," one weakly replied. At that the three men returned to the task of loading the truck with lumber. When the task was almost complete, Jim asked the men, "Would you guys like a cold drink?" "Sure, but where are you going to get it--break in next door? Nothing's open." "I think I know where I can get some cokes; I'll be right back." Jim went to the side of the building and let himself in. On his return the three workers stopped long enough to quickly down the sodas. One of the young men then announced, "You are the best thief we've ever seen!" "I'm not a thief," Jim countered. "Sure you're not; you think we own this place!" "No, you don't own it; I do!" After a time of silent disbelief, Jim told the men, "Look if you need this lumber, I want you to take it. All I ask is that you take this card with you. It has an address on the back. I meet with several men every Tuesday night to study the Bible there. You take this lumber as a gift and if you would like to come, join us some Tuesday." The men were soon gone and Jim was sure he would never see them again. To his surprise, however, they did attend a Bible study within the month and both accepted Christ as Savior and Lord. - Bill J. Cox, Peculiar, MO.

d) And John notices His name written on the robe as well as His thigh, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

(1) The rightful heir of all things!!

III. REVELATION 19:17-18 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 "that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." (NKJV)

A. There has already been issued an invitation to the "marriage supper of the Lamb"

1. Now an invitation to quite a different supper is given!

2. The special guests to the marriage supper are the redeemed saints.

3. To this "supper" is invited the flesh eating birds of prey from all over the world!

a) Their main course will be the flesh and blood of the victims of Armageddon (men and beast)!

b) Matthew 24:28 tell us that "... wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. (NKJV)

c) Ezekiel 39:17-20 And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: "Assemble yourselves and come; Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you, A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, That you may eat flesh and drink blood. 18 You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, Drink the blood of the princes of the earth, Of rams and lambs, Of goats and bulls, All of them fatlings of Bashan. 19 You shall eat fat till you are full, And drink blood till you are drunk, At My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you. 20 You shall be filled at My table With horses and riders, With mighty men And with all the men of war," says the Lord GOD. (NKJV)

(1) Some commentators feel that this is the aftermath of two different battles since this one in Ezekiel is "on the mountains of Israel" while the carnage at Armageddon is in the "valley of Jehosaphat".

(2) That may be, but for our purposes this morning, the illustration is the same!

(a) The Lord is going to supply a great feast of human flesh for the birds of the air!

(b) Whether the stories are true or not, I don't know, but they have been circulating and even published that there has been a tremendous increase in the population of "birds of prey" in the middle east!

IV. REVELATION 19:19-21 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. (NKJV)

A. For the last 3 1/2 years the beast has been the "king of the world" so to speak.

1. In one mighty act of God, the beast and the false prophet are captured and forever confined to the "lake of fire"!

a) They are its first occupants. It is only later that the devil and everyone who has rejected Jesus as Lord will join them! (Rev 20:10, 15)

2. All the "kings of the earth" somehow had hope that they would defeat the Lord and His redeemed army until now!

a) Now it has become evident that they were lied to by Satan, but it is too late!

B. It is interesting to note that this is the first place in scripture that the lake of fire is mentioned (by this name)!

1. It is not the same place as Hades, or Sheol which are often translated as "HELL".

a) You see it is from Hell or Hades that the unsaved dead are resurrected and judged, then cast into the "lake of fire" according to Rev 20:13-15!

b) This place was never intended for humans but it will be the home of millions forever!

(1) Matthew 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: (NKJV)

(2) It may not have been intended for man, but all those in verse 21 will be there!

(3) I pray that none here this morning will be!

ZIGGY is sitting in his lawn chair looking at the lawn mower and says: "Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid entirely."

Robert Rhodes is Director of new Mexico's Natural History Museum in Albuquerque. And he lost a tooth last week. The tooth was a fossilized mastodon molar--about the size of a telephone receiver. Rhodes put the tooth down by a public phone in Santa Fe when he stopped to make a call, then forgot to take it with him. When he realized he'd left the tooth behind, he went back to get it--but it was gone. This should serve as a reminder that if you don't take good care of your teeth, you'll lose them. Take Good care of your faith!!