Revelation 19:11-21

THE KING IS COMING

Intro: The opening chapter of Revelation sets the tone for everything else that will happen in the book. Rev. 1:1 tells us that this book is “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 1:7-8 says, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” This book is about Jesus and about His return to this earth to rule and reign.

        Revelation chapter 5 takes us into Heaven. God is shown holding a book that is sealed with seven seals, 5:1. A search is made in heaven and in earth to find someone worthy to open the book, but no one is found, 5:2-3. John weeps at this news, because he desperately wants to know what is written in the book, 5:4. John is told not to weep because the Lamb of God is worthy to take the book, Rev. 5:5-7. When the Lord takes the book from the hand of God, Heaven erupts into praise and worship because the Lord Jesus has been found worthy to take the book and to open the seals, Rev. 5:8.

        When we studied that chapter we discovered that the seven sealed book was the title deed of the planet earth. You see, Satan is called “the god of this world”, 2 Cor. 4:4. He may be the “little g” god of this world today, but he is not worthy to retain his grip on the world. This world belongs to Jesus, and to Jesus alone! The day will come when He will take possession of this world away from Satan.

        This world is belongs to Jesus because of three great truths.

·         It is His by right of Creation – He made it!

·         It is His by right of Calvary – He redeemed it!

·         It is His by right of Conquest – He will retake it!

The entire book of Revelation has been leading us to this great moment we will consider together today. The whole purpose of the Tribulation Period, chapters 6-18, is to prepare the world for the coming of the King. The passage we are about to study today speaks of that great moment in the future when Jesus will return to this earth is power and glory to claim what is rightfully His. The first time Jesus came to this world, He came as a Redeemer. The next time He comes, He is coming as a Ruler! The first time He faced a Cross; the next time, He will wear a Crown. The first time He came there was a Tomb; the next time He comes there will be a Throne.

Let’s study these verses together as I preach on this thought: The King Is Coming! Let’s notice truths contained in these verses. I don’t mind telling you that these verses excite me greatly! I am tired of hearing the name of Jesus treated like a byword. I am tired of seeing His Gospel treated like a lie. I am tired of watching Satan and lost sinners live as though the Lord Jesus doesn’t exist. I am looking forward to that day when Jesus Christ will return to this world in power and glory. On that day, He will destroy His enemies and rule on this earth in righteousness. Let’s study that great day together because The King Is Coming!

 

I. v. 11-14                     THE COMING OF THE KING

(Ill. This is the second time a door has been opened in Heaven in the book of Revelation. The first time the door in Heaven was opened, it was opened so that the church, the Bride of Christ, could join the Lord in Heaven, Rev. 4:1. When this door is opened it allows the Lord to ride out of Heaven to return to this earth. That first door speaks of the Rapture of the Church. This second open door in Heaven speaks of the Return of the Christ.)

A.  v. 11-13  The King’s Appearance – These verses tell us how the King will appear when He returns to the earth.

                1.  His Nature

a.  He Is Full of glory – When Jesus came to this earth the first time, He concealed His heavenly glory beneath the flesh of His body, Phil. 2:5-8. Those who saw Him saw a common, ordinary Jew, Isa. 53:2. Even though He was the Creator of the universe in human flesh, He didn’t even have a place to lay His head, Matt. 8:20.

          The next time He comes things will be different. He will come on a “white horse”. Ancient Roman generals often rode white horses in their triumphal processions. John sees Jesus returning as a Conqueror. The last time the world saw Jesus, they saw Him dead on a cross. The world looked at Jesus as a victim. This time, they will see Him as a Victor! He is not coming the second time to die, He is coming to reign!

          Verse 12 describes Jesus as having eyes “as a flame of fire”. This speaks of His omniscience and His right to judge sinners. Jesus is coming as One Who sees all, knows all and controls all. He is returning not as a Savior, but as a Judge!

b.  He is Faithful and true - Modern politicians rarely speak the truth. They usually tell us what they think we want to hear. They lie to keep their jobs and to fulfill their agendas. Jesus is not like those men! He always tells the truth and he will do everything He says He will do. (Ill. I am glad that we can depend on the promises of the Lord! Men will fail us, but He will always do what He has promised, 2 Cor. 1:20.)

c.  He Fights in righteousness – Most of this world’s wars have been fought over false pretenses and foolish objectives! Some would question our nation’s motives for being in Iraq today. But, our Lord’s cause is just and holy! He fights for the honor of His Father’s Name and glory! He fights against unrighteousness and evil. He wages war for the glory of God alone! (Ill. The Lord is a man of war - Ex. 15:3)

                2.  His Name

a.  v. 12  It Is The Name Of Mystery – What is this mysterious name? No one knows but Him. You can study all the names of Jesus given in the Bible, (Ill. Some of His Names), but He will still be more than our mortal, finite minds can comprehend! He may let us in on the mystery some day. He may let us comprehend Him fully some day.

But, here is the point; mankind has refused to know Jesus. They would not use His name except as a by-word; as a slang word; as a curse word. Now the day of grace has forever passed! Now they cannot know Him even if they desired to.

b.  v. 13  It Is The Name Of Ministry – He is called “The Word of God”. The first time Jesus came He came as God in human flesh, John 1:1, 14. He is the Word of God. He came to fulfill the promises and prophecies of the Word. He came to go to the cross and pay the cost for sin and sinners.

The next time He comes, He is coming to fulfill the rest of the Word of God. Jesus is the “author and finisher” of our faith, Heb. 12:2.

c.  v. 16  It Is The Name Of Majesty – His Name is written on His thigh. The thigh symbolizes strength, stability and power. When Jacob wrestled with the angel, the angel touched Jacob's thigh and his power to resist was broken - Gen. 32.)

When Jesus comes the next time, He is not coming as the lowly Nazarene. He will not be the butt of cruel joking and mockery! He will not be mocked, stripped, beaten, spit upon and crucified. He will come the next time as “the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!”

His name is also written on His vesture. His garment is a symbol of His position. When Jacob gave Joseph that coat of many colors, Jacob was telling everyone who his favorite son was.  Joseph’s brothers saw that coat and knew that Joseph was the apple of his daddy’s eye! Jesus is the ultimate ruler! His very garments prove that He is worthy of faith and worship!

B.  v. 13  The King’s Apparel - His garments are stained with the blood of His enemies, Ill. Isa. 63:1-6. What a day it will be when the eastern sky rips asunder and King Jesus in all of His glory and power rides forth in awesome and absolute victory.

C.  v. 14  The King’s Army – I have never thought of myself, or of most Christians that I know, as being members of a mighty army, but here we are! This verse tells us that Jesus will be accompanied by the redeemed saints of God when He returns in glory. How do we know these are the saints? Look at their apparel. They are “clothed in fine linen, white and clean”. This is the same wording used to describe the appearance of the Bride of Christ in verse 8. Ill. When horses see me coming they say, “Nay! Nay!” But, on that day I will saddle up and ride back with my Redeemer when He comes in glory! (Ill. We are “saints” – verse 8!)

D.  v. 15  The King’s Armament – When He comes, Jesus will need no carnal weapons. He will open His mouth and unleash the power of His Word. There is power in His Word! He created this universe and everything contained within it with the Word of His mouth! His word has the power to bring light out of darkness and life out of death! He speaks and it happens! His Word is a living thing, Heb. 4:12. It is an extension of Himself. It has the power to heal and give life, and it has the power to destroy and kill - Isa. 11:4. Jesus spoke and the waves lay at His feet like gentle puppies. He spoke and a fig tree withered. He spoke and a dead man named Lazarus walked out of his tomb. He spoke and the scales fell from my eyes. In the depths of my sin and my deadness, I heard His voice when He called me to come to Him. His Word came and brought light and life. There si power in His Word! (Ill. The power of His Word is put on display in John 18:6. Jesus spoke and the soldiers were knocked off their feet!)

 

  I.  The Coming Of The King

 

II. v. 17-18                 THE COMMAND OF THE KING  

A.  V. 17  He Commands The Fowls To Come - God is about to prepare a feast for the fowls of the air. They will feast on the flesh of His enemies! (Ill. There has been a sharp decline in the populations of the various scavenger birds around the world. In Africa, Asia and the Middle East, scavenger bird populations are at dangerously low levels. That fact shouldn’t bother us! When this day comes, the Lord will call these birds to gather from around the world. They will come at His command. Just as they came when Noah built the ark, they will come for the great feast the Lord is about to place before them!)

B.  v. 18  He Commands The Flesh To Be Consumed - In life these men had been separated by rank, title and power. In death they are all made equal! What a lesson!

Death is the great leveler! You may be somebody in this life, but when death comes calling, you will find that you re nobody without Jesus!

Notice that the word “flesh” is found in this verse 5 times. Some people want to blame all evil on the devil. Others want to blame everything that is wrong on the world. The devil and the world are terrible enemies, but there is a third enemy: the flesh. Satan may tempt us to do evil, but it is our stinking flesh that follows Satan into sin. The word is filled with allurements and attractions that the flesh longs to indulge in. If it weren’t for the flesh, Satan and the world would have no power over man at all.

 

Chances are you have been fighting some battles with your flesh. Chances are, you have also been battling with the world and the devil. Well, I have some good news for you! The book of Revelation talks about the judgment and destruction of all three of our enemies. The word is destroyed in Rev. 18. The devil is destroyed in Rev. 20. And, the flesh is taken care of here in Rev. 19. I praise the Lord that there is a day coming when my flesh will be changed and will cease to be a problem in my life. I praise the Lord that there is a day coming when the Lord of glory will destroy the power of the flesh forever!

 

  I.  The Coming Of The King

 II.  The Command Of The King

 

III. v. 19-21             THE CONQUEST OF THE KING

A.  v. 19  He Draws The Armies To Armageddon – We have looked at the battle of Armageddon several times already in our study of this book. That great and terrible day has finally arrived. All the armies of the world, many of whom are enemies today, will join forces to try and defeat the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Their mission will be to put an end to God, the saints of God and even the mention of the Name of God. Their plans will all fail!

Man thinks that he is in control of his own destiny. He thinks that his decisions, his plans and his desires make some kind of difference. God is sovereign and not man! God determines destinies and not man! God rules and not man! The very fact that the armies of the world gather themselves together in the Valley of Megiddo at this very moment in time proves that God, and not man is in control! These puny humans think they are going to defeat the Lord and His people. They think they are doing what they please. In reality, they are carrying out the perfect will of a sovereign God. He is pulling all the strings, calling all the shots and directing every step to ensure that His plan for the ages is perfectly and completely fulfilled! (Ill. Psa. 115:3; Psa. 135:6; Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11)

B.  v. 20-21  He Destroys The Armies At Armageddon – Not only does the Lord have the power to draw the armies of the world to Armageddon, He also has the power to defeat them once they are there!

1.  v. 20  The Devil’s Men Are Destroyed - The Antichrist and the False Prophet are thrown alive into the Lake of Fire! The two demonically inspired individuals will be taken by the power of a sovereign God and cast alive into the Lake of Fire. These two minions of Satan will not experience physical death. They will be taken alive and sent immediately to their eternal doom! Hell is waiting with an open mouth to receive these two pretenders!

Imagine the shock of this world when, right before their very eyes, their leaders are taken and cast into Hell! In one instant the world will see their allegiance and their faith has been misplaced. They will see that they were fools. It may even dawn on them in that moment that they are lost, doomed and destined to Hell!

2.  v. 21  The Deceived Multitudes Are Destroyed - The assembled armies of the world are defeated in a single moment by the power of the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will die at His Word and their blood will flow to the horse’s bridles - Rev. 14:20. Their souls drop off into Hell to await judgment at the Great White Throne and their flesh is consumes by the fowls of the air!

That is a terrible scene, but it will literally be played out some day. The world has rejected the Lord Jesus as its Savior, now it must face Him as its Judge! There is a truth here that we must not miss today. The very Word of God that tells you about a Savior Who loves you and will save you, is the same Word that tells you about a Judge Who will judge you if you reject Him. The same Bible that preaches a saving Gospel to the repenting sinner today will be the means of slaughter in that awful day.

Here is what God says about that terrible day, Psa. 2:1-5. What would you rather hear? The voice of God as He says, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord?” or “Depart from me, I never knew you!” would you rather hear Him speak peace or judgment to your soul? You can have either one you want!

Conc: Jesus is coming! That is a fact! Many do not believe it, but it is true nonetheless. The Second Coming of Jesus is one of the major themes of the Word of God. There are 1,845 references to it in the Old Testament, and a total of seventeen Old Testament books give it prominence. Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to the Second Coming, or 1 out of every 30 verses. 23 of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy on the First Coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ’s Second Coming.

Jesus is coming! There is an old legend about a man who made a covenant with Death. The contract stated that Death would not come to him unannounced and without warning. The years went by, and at last, Death appeared before the man. The old man said, “Death, you have not been true to your promise. You have not kept your covenant. You promised you would not come unannounced. You never gave me any warning.” Death replied, “Not so! Every gray hair in your head is a warning. Every one of your lost teeth is a warning. Your eyes growing dim and your natural power and vigor abated is a warning. Oh yes, I have warned you and warned you continually.” With those words Death swept the man into eternity.

Jesus is coming! You have been warned! Are you ready to meet Him? Are you saved by His grace? Is everything as it should be between your soul and the Lord? If there are needs, you come to Him and get them met today!