The Rider On The White Horse

Revelation 19:12-21

Key verse 19:11                                          Kevin E. Jesmer    NIU UBF          5-1-11

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.”

      We have just come back from our wonderful Easter conference at Timber Lee Wisconsin. There we studied Luke 24, concerning Jesus’ appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. While on the road, Jesus had a deep conversation with the disciples, helping them to understand about the messiah throughout the Old Testament. He pointed out how the Christ was to suffer die and then rise again from the Scriptures. The disciples’ hearts were burning within them as Jesus spoke. And then, when they share an intimate moment of breaking bread together and sharing personal spiritual fellowship, the disciples hearts, and spiritual eyes are were open. They had met the Risen Jesus very personally. Their hearts were elated. They were set free from despair and fear and the power of death. They did a complete 180 and ran to tell the others the good news that Jesus has risen, just as he said, and he was alive forever more.

     Currently we are in the midst of studying the biographies of various obscure people in Genesis. But since we just studied all about Jesus’ death and resurrection at the Easter conference, this is a good time to finish off where we had left off in Revelation, for in this last portion we find teachings on God’s judgment, his grace, resurrection and eternal life in the kingdom of God. We can discover what is in store for believers because Jesus suffered, died and rose again for us.

In this passage we will discover the rider on the white horse. He is Jesus. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and his name is the Word of God. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword. With it he strikes down all rebellious nations. He executes God’s wrath on the nations of the world. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Through a study of this passage may we learn more about the rider. May we know his truth and his grace. And may we know that we, who are in Christ, are on the winning side of the King of Kings and Lord of lords. Let’s see….

Part l: The Rider On The White Horse (11-16)

And so, who is this rider? Let’s read verses 11-16. “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King Of Kings And Lord OF Lords.”  There is no doubt as to the identity of this glorious King who sits on the white horse. He is Jesus Christ. He is coming with the fury of God to deal judgment on Satan and his cohorts who have stood against God and himself and have corrupted the hearts of people across the centuries. In this image we can learn many important things about Jesus.

First, he is faithful and true. This means that he is constant. The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. (Heb 13:8) His love is the same, unconditional and unfailing. His truth is the same, eternal and steadfast. His promises are the same, faithful and fulfilled. Jesus works faithfully throughout our lifetime, and beyond, to fulfill each and every one of his promises to us. What are his greatest promises? Is it not to forgive us of all of our sins when we repent and place all of our hope and trust in him? Is it not to raise us up again from the dead so that we may spend eternity with him forever? Is it not to produce good fruit in our lives as we follow Jesus during our pilgrimage here on earth? Yes indeed.

I thank God that Jesus is faithful and true. There are very few people in our lives who are faithful and true. There are spouses, our kids, our family, church family and a handful of friends. But even these beautiful relationships fall short of our faithful and true Savior and friend Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can be with us 24/7 and forever. He is with us each and every day of our journey while on this earth. We will be with him in heaven for all eternity.

Second, “With justice he judges and makes war.”His first coming brought forgiveness of sins to us. His second coming will bring judgment. Jesus came first as a Lamb to be sacrificed for sin. But Our God is not just our forgiving friend. He is not just some benevolent grandfather. He is also a righteous judge and he will come to make war on all that is opposition to God. He will return as a Conqueror and King to execute his righteous judgment.

Third, “His eyes are like blazing fire,”Jesus’ eyes are blazing fire. It is not because he was up all night playing video games and watching TV with his friends until 3 in the morning. It is because his vision can penetrate all darkness and burn away all that is impure and unholy to clearly reveal what lies underneath the surface. Sometimes we cover ourselves with our own self righteousness in order to appear holy. But we must know that nothing can be hidden before the eyes of Jesus. All will be laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Heb 4:13) And so the best thing to do is be honest with God right from the beginning.

Fourth, “on his head are many crowns.” Jesus has many crowns on his head. It is because one crown does not do him justice. He is not an ordinary king or ruler. He is the King of kings and the Lord or lords…of all kings and lords that have ever lived. He is the Son of God, the Savior, the Messiah, the One before whom every knee bows to and every tongue confesses. How great and awesome is our King Jesus! Let us submit to his reign in our lives.

Fifth, “He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.” Does this confuse anyone? How can the John write this when we know that his name is Jesus. In verse 16 we read, “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King Of Kings And Lord OF Lords.”  It seems all you have to do is look at Jesus’ robe and the writing on his thigh to discover his name. But we need to know that the Jews did not even venture to know the name of God. They call him Yahweh or Adonai (rendered: The Lord, the Lord Almighty), but this is just an attempt to represent God. When God spoke to Moses in the burning bush, he told him the name that he Moses should tell Pharaoh. What was that name?  “I am who I am.” I once had a poster with over 300 names of Jesus. Why get so touchy about a name? In the Bible when a person knows your name, he knows all about you, your character and personality. He knows the parents and God’s hope and possibly even a prophecy about that person’s life and future. The fact that we can not know the name of the rider on the white horse, reflects the fact that we can not know Jesus fully. No matter how long you have followed Jesus, there is still a mystery about him. He is like a cut diamond, glorious and brilliant and ever changing in beauty each time you look at him from different angles. That is what Jesus is like to us this world. But in the Kingdom of heaven Jesus will be fully known, as we are fully known by God. (1 Cor 13:12) We shall see Jesus fully face to face.

Sixth, “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,” This is every house wives cleaning nightmare, for blood is so hard to get out of clothing. Why did he have blood on his robes? Look at verse 19:15b, “…He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” This blood is a testament of God’s justice. The imagery behind this verse is troubling to think of. The wine press of God’s wrath is a harvest that all people should fear being part of. Revealtion 14:17-20 reads, “Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. ¹⁸Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, ‘Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe’. ¹⁹The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. ²⁰They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.^” A winepress was a large vat or trough where grapes were collected and then smashed. The juice flowed out of the spout that emptied into a large holding container. The winepress is used in the Bible as a symbol of God’s wrath and judgment against sin. The blood of billions of people poured out of that wine press for it created a stream of blood 5 feet tall and it spread out for 180 miles. This shows us the urgency of proclaiming the gospel of salvation. According to the book of revelation, billions of people are going to perish in their sins. We should care about this and respond accordingly by sharing the life giving Gospel of Jesus with the world. Again true Christians need not fear this harvest but rather become vigilant.

This imagery would have been especially comforting to the early Christians. They were persecuted beyond belief, by the Roman Empire and Gentile idol worshippers. Hebrews 11:35b-38 reveals some of the persecutions that people of faith have received from the world over the centuries. They read, “…Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. ³⁷ They were stoned^[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— ³⁸ the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.”  The first century Christians were receiving similar persecutions in their generations. They were receiving very unjust treatment. Some might have prayed, “Lord, I gave my whole life to you. How could you let this happen?”

But in John’s vision we see that victorious conquering Lord Jesus Christ come into this world to bring about his perfect justice. It is kind of hard to understand why a vision of a righteous judge would bring about such comfort and joy to believers. We may not understand because we really have not been persecuted for our faith by the people of the world that much. Maybe we have been ignored. Maybe we have been rejected and hated and excluded from time to time. But we have not had our homes confiscated, been falsely accused and thrown to the lions! Some Christians do experience this type of injustice in other countries. They known the joy of beholding the King of kings and Lord of Lords coming in a robe dipped in blood.

We do undergo injustices sometimes in America. At school one of Mark’s classmates blurted our, “God is a crazy old man!”. Mark stood up for God publically saying, “No he is not!” and the other boy blurted out, “And you’re crazy too!” Last week Jenn was going to take the ACT test. She prayed with two other FCA members in the open, in front of others. There was a person who was really uncomfortable witnessing this. There are times when I think I am raising up more people who hate me than disciples of Jesus. Jesus tells us that if we are his disciples the world will hate us. (Jn 15:18) We should not be hated for our mistakes and foolishness, but persecution should be because we love and follow Jesus.

We are also unjustly treated by the devil himself. The devil will not stop. He is like a roaring lion ready to pounce on you. He will accuse you night and day. He will work on your weaknesses to wear you down. If you try to do good, he will take all you do and say and twist it around and throw it back at you in an attempt to bring you down. Sometimes we are tempted to say, “why me?” I hear this from time to time, “Why God? I have been a good person.” And last week, “If this suffering is the way God is trying to get my attention then it is not working.” Some students may wonder why they failed or why their relationships have broken up or why they are so lonely. They blame God. But I think they should blame the devil for his unjust treatment on their souls and come to Jesus, their conquering Savior who will bring about perfect justice in their lives when they humble themselves and submit to the Lordship of Jesus, Our King of kings and Lord of Lords.

Jesus is the King of Kings who will come to tread out the winepress of God’s wrath, yes…but that is not his initial desire. Jesus did not come to into this world to enslave people, by shedding their blood. He came to set us free and fulfill his perfect justice by suffering and shedding his blood. The sins we have perpetrated towards God and others are very unjust and should be dealt with by God. But because Jesus came into this world, suffered and died as the Pascal Lamb, the price has been paid in full. God’s justice is satisfied. We can be totally forgiven. This is the mark of merciful king Jesus. He is the only one worthy, of our all our love and worship. He is worthy because he did not exercise his power to subject us, but he used his power to free us from the grip of Satan who enslaved us for generations. How precious is Jesus! Jesus’ precious blood dripped down from the cross in order to rescue you and me from sin. Who would do this for us, when we have turned our heads away from him every time a temptation or a pleasure or a temptation to seek personal comfort rose up in our hearts? But Jesus did. And for this he is worthy of our love and devotion.

Seventh, “and his name is the Word of God.”  Jesus is the word of God incarnate. John says of Jesus in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God.” We use words to communicate with people. We share our hearts, our hopes our dreams, our likes and yes even our dislikes with words. We text our friends with words. God, the Father, is communicating with us through his Son, Jesus. What is his trying to communicate to us in this vision? Jesus is our conquering King, and Lord who his binging about his perfect justice and salvation. We just need to come to him by faith, stand in his side and taste his glorious salvation.

The fact that his name is the “Word of God” means that Jesus did not rule us with human rules and regulations. He ruled us with the living and active word of God. Jesus came to replace the lies in our hearts with the word of God, with the truth. He came to give us a new life based on the eternal word of God which alone can give us newness of life and clear direction. His word is above all things in heaven and on earth. We should cherish it always, rely on it always, uphold it always, and share it with others always.

Eighth, “The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.” Who are the armies of heaven? They are the saints of God. Verse 19:8 reads, “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)” They could be born again believers who were made holy by the blood of Jesus and who were raised again to eternal life. They follow their Lord in glorious power and splendor. Their robes were not dipped in blood. Only Jesus’ were. It is because only Jesus is the judge of the living and dead. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord.

He alone had robes dipped in blood because there was no one who could help him. Isaiah 63:1-5 reads, “ ¹ Who is this coming from Edom,  from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? It is I, speaking in righteousness,  mighty to save.”  ² Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? ³ ‘I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. ⁴ For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. ⁵ I looked, but there was no one to help,    I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.’” Only one who is without sin can judge. As for people, all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. No one was qualified. But let us face the facts. Jesus does a lot of things alone because no one wants to help or is qualified to help. Let’s decide to help Jesus and become qualified to help Jesus.

Ninth, “Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’” Jesus is has a sharp double edged sword. It is a very effective spiritual weapon. Hebrews 4:12 reads, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Some people may think that such an image is too authoritarian. But I personally don’t mind being ruled by Jesus in this way. I welcome it actually. To those who are saved and who know the grace of God, Jesus’ iron scepter feels more like a shepherd’s rod. It is like children who live in a household with a strict dad, but they know that their dad is full of love and they feel safe and secure under his care.

The fact that Jesus rules with an iron scepter is also why not everyone is going to be happy going to heaven,. If they do not like living under the Lordship of Jesus now, then they will baulk at Jesus Lordship in heaven. Some think that life in heaven is a fully paid, all expense paid trip to Club med in the Caribbean where God pays for everything, but doesn’t bother them much. But this is not so. Jesus is the king of Kings and Lord of lords. He has an iron scepter. If you don’t enjoy his lordship in your present condition of heart, you will not enjoy heaven. Our hearts need to be changed by repenting of our sins and asking Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior.

Part ll: Jesus The Bringer Of Complete Justice (17-21)

Jesus will bring about complete justice. Look at Verses 17-21, “And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, ¹⁸ so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.”  The birds are probably vultures. They gather where there are dead bodies. This image is one of complete victory over the enemies of God.

    Jesus is more powerful that the devil and his cohorts. Look at verses 19-21. “Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. ²¹ The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. This is a very difficult scene. It is a vision of the final demise of the devil and his people whose end will be in the lake of burning sulfur. Sometimes we think that the devil and evil are more powerful than God and his “good”. But this is not so. Jesus is the all power, sovereign Lord. He is more powerful than the devil himself. Nothing can stand in the way of Jesus. In the Lord’s Prayer there is line, “Deliver us from the evil one.” Jesus can and will deliver us from the evil one. We must trust Jesus to work out his good and perfect will in our lives. We must trust Jesus that he will bring all believers to glory.

Jesus is the rider on the white horse. He is truly the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is my King and my Lord. Would you confess him your King and Lord today and always? It is not a small question. It is a real question that touches our hearts. There are those who confess him by mouth, but their lives are a far cry from him being the King of their lives. Let us renounce and repent of any hypocrisy we find in our hearts and ask his mercy, for he is faithful and true and will cleanse us from all our sins and count us among the blessed. Amen. And we must stand as witnesses to the King whose robe is dipped in blood, and whose name is faithful and true. We must witness that the Lamb is still is willing to pay the price for the sins of everyone who turns from sin and embraces the cross of Jesus and calls for forgiveness and new life. We must witness to all people that the Lamb will triumph. And in the mean while, let us give praise and worship to him, for he is worthy.

Part l: The Rider On The White Horse (11-16)

1. Read vs. 11-16.  At last, Jesus returns riding on a white horse to fight his enemies. Why

is he called Faithful and True?  How does the appearance of his eyes, head and dress

highlights his character and his truthful judgment? (12,13,15)

1. Why are his clothes dipped in blood? Who are the armies of heaven following him riding

on white horses? (14, 8)  How will he rule in the kingdom of God? (16)

Part ll: Jesus The Bringer Of Complete Justice (17-21) 

3. Read vs. 17-21. How does an angel invite all the birds to the great supper of God? (17)  What is the purpose of birds in this imagery?

4. How have the beast and the false prophet made war against the saints? (20b, 13:7,11:7)  How have they gathered to fight the Lord? (19,16:14,16) What is their final destiny? (20,21) Think about the progression of their destruction. Whose side shall we be on?