Revelation 19:11–16 (NKJV)

After declaring the ultimate end to Babylon’s existence, the voice in heaven has concluded his word of judgment on her. John’s attention then turns to another opening in heaven and the appearance of Jesus riding on a white horse, preparing for Armageddon.

11 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.

Revelation 19:11-16

As the new scene in heaven opens, John sees a majestic white horse. There is nothing else said about that horse, but the rider is described in detail. He who say on the horse was called Faithful and True, and He is identified as a righteous judge and a military leader, prepared to make war. He is described as having eyes like a flame of fire, and as wearing many crowns on His head. His name was written, but no one knew the name except Himself. The account goes on to describe his clothes as a robe dipped in blood. Although the name written was unknown to anyone but Jesus, His name was called The Word of God. This deity, righteous and pure, is preparing to go to battle in the Valley of Megiddo (Battle of Armageddon). The armies of heaven are clothed in fine linen, and are white and clean. They followed Him on white horses as well.

The description continues by discussing the sharp sword that goes out of His mouth. With this sword, or His word, He will strike the nations. After defeating them in a moment, He will then rule them with a rod of iron, signifying the absolute power the Lord will wield. He personally treads out the “wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” The imagery of a wine press and the vintage of the grapes of wrath describe the actual action of God exacting justice on the amassed armies of the world who would oppose Him. On His robe and on His thigh is the name written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” This regal title places Jesus above all other leaders and rulers of the world.

No one can rise above Him. Satan tried to become His equal and was thrown out of heaven for His efforts. Jesus is preparing for the great battle, and has fully established Himself in the eyes of all men as the greatest being to ever exist. He is eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, attributes that cannot be credited to any other being. Jesus is poised to retake control of the earth, which He gave to man after the creation. Now, the redemption of all souls who served Jesus, and the redemption of the earth He created, is just moments away.

Jesus always had the power, but made time for man to live in the tension that comes when man’s free will and the sovereignty of God work in tandem. Theologians describe a principle called epistemic distance, or the perfect distance at which man and God exist. This allows man to know the greatness of God, His grace, and His offer of salvation, yet far enough away that He can refuse and deny the call of Holy Spirit to salvation. This gives man a choice, whether to accept the offer of grace and salvation, or to refuse this gracious offer and be lost forever. Jesus has made the offer for thousands of years, but when this moment arrives, all offers of salvation are completed, and the time for judgment has come. The opportunity for free will is ended for those living at this moment. Although we will here of an offer to children born during the millennial reign, this moment ends the offer of salvation for those who are already alive. Get right with God, and do not delay your acceptance of His offer of grace and salvation. This is the only way to live eternally!

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