If you recall, in Revelation 1:1 “the revelation of Jesus
Christ” is the subject of this book and, as 19:10 teaches
us, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” All
that precedes 19:11 is introductory; it is setting the stage
for the coming of the Lord as portrayed in these verses.
Note the contrast. The gospels deal primarily with Christ’s
first advent; He is seen in His humiliation, rejection,
suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. However, here
His return is one of triumph, glory, power, sovereignty and
dominion. Here is the high point in history for here is the
manifestation of the Son of God in glory and the end of all
angelic and human rebellion. After the 1,000 year reign
another brief rebellion will occur, but it is short-lived
because Christ is present as King of kings.
John writes, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white
horse, and He who sat on it is called, Faithful and True,
and in righteousness He judges and wages war” (Revelation
19:11).
What a stark contrast to Christ’s first advent. Then He came
full of grace and truth, not to judge but to bear the
penalty of sin, to be judged for our sin. However, in this
scene He comes as Judge.
“And behold, a white horse …and “the armies which are in
heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were
following Him on white horses” (Revelation 19:11, 14). The
white horse rider and riders that follow Him portrays a
scene that is an allusion to the ancient Roman Triumph. The
Roman Triumph was the highest honor bestowed on a victorious
Roman general. It came from a Greek word that referred to a
public and triumphal procession. The procession was a parade
up the main street of Rome that led from the Forum to the
temple of Jupiter that lay on the Capitoline Hill. The
General mounted on a white horse, followed by his soldiers,
family, and friends symbolized a victorious triumph in the
field over the enemies of the nation. Included in the
procession were the spoils of war that were eventually given
to the general’s army and friends, the captives who had been
defeated and captured in battle, disarmed and in chains and
following the procession executed.
In Colossians 2:15 we have a reference to Christ’s victory
in battle via the cross. Ephesians 4:7f speaks of Christ
giving gifts to men as spoils of war following the victory
over the satanic hosts, the first phase of the triumph.
Finally, Revelation 19:11 speak of the removal of all
enemies, the final phase of the procession resulting in the
execution of all enemies.
“Faithful,” refers to one you can rely and count on always.
This characteristic of the King of kings flows out of His
divine essence and perfect, glorified manhood. Other rulers,
because of ignorance or lack of the facts, have often been
untrustworthy and have failed their people. However, this
one possesses all wisdom and knowledge. His knowledge cannot
change, nor be mistaken, nor be in the least inadequate, so
men can count on Him. He is reliable. He never judges by
appearance. In addition, because He is omnipotent and
because His power is always guided by His holiness and
wisdom, He can always perfectly fulfill His promises and
purposes. However, history is filled with the many leaders
of the world who have come with promises of peace and
prosperity or of good government, but have failed because of
their lack of wisdom and power and character to carry out
their plans. Because He is immutable His plans and purposes
are always best for us and cannot be changed by greed, or
expediency. We can always count on Him.
“True,” means “real, genuine” versus “imitation, false.”
World leaders who promoted themselves as man’s answer or as
a nation’s answer have constantly plagued history. They have
promised peace and solutions to the ills of society, but
repeatedly they have failed. In Revelation 6, the white
horse rider also promises peace, but as one who is not true,
he goes forth to conquer. True, also means the “ideal”
versus the “imperfect.” Man has long looked for the perfect
ruler, one who had the power, wisdom, love, grace, holiness,
and unchangeableness to rule in perfect righteousness. It is
true, nations are sometimes blessed with good rulers, but
they are always temporary. They either die by natural causes
or are removed by political intrigue or assassination.
Someone far less qualified often replaces them. However,
this white horse rider will remain because of His
eternality, the perfect Ruler.
“His eyes are a flame of fire,” the searching and
penetrating judgment of the white horse rider upon humanity.
Like fire, His eyes penetrate and search out every person.
No one can escape his vision and judgment. Men can hide
behind every conceivable mask, but only those who stand in
His righteousness will escape this judgment.
“And upon His head are many diadems,” this is not the
victor’s crown but the diadem, the crown of absolute
sovereignty, the crown of kings. Believers receive the
victor’s crown for bearing fruit in the Christian life
(Revelation 3:11). The diadems of 19:12 are set in contrast
to the ten diadems of the beast (Revelation 13:1). Christ’s
universal sovereignty, King of kings and Lord of lords, is
the point being made by the many diadems.
This rider on the white horse has a name that “no one knows
except Himself” it is not simply a name no one knows the
significance of, but one no one knows period.
“And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood.” The robe
refers to Christ’s royal robe, an outer garment with which
He is clothed. “Clothed” calls attention to clothed in royal
splendor and authority. “Dipped” calls attention to the
permanence of what He is about to defeat His enemies.
“Dipped in blood” is symbolic of the blood which is about to
be shed and stresses that it is His power that accomplishes
the judgment and removal of His enemies.
In Revelation 19:14 no blood is mentioned in connection with
the riders on white horses following the rider on the white
horse. The armies following are a part of this victory; just
as in the Christian life, the power of Christ accomplishes
the defeat of the enemy. When Christ is portrayed as the
slain Lamb, it speaks of redemption by means of His blood,
His death on the cross (Revelation 1:5), but here the blood
represents not Christ’s blood or death, but the blood or
death of the wicked caused by this judgment of Christ.
“And from His mouth comes a sharp sword.” The fact that the
sword proceeds from His mouth shows this is His Word. His
Word is called “a sharp sword” because it cuts the enemy
asunder. It is a symbol of judgment and suggests that Christ
will simply speak and by His Word, thousands will fall. The
basis of His judgment will be the words which He spoke in
His first advent (John 12:48). In His first advent, He came
speaking words of reconciliation, seeking to save that which
was lost. However, at His second advent, because of
rejection of these words, He will come speaking words of
retribution that will slay the wicked (Isaiah 11:4).
The army following the rider on the white horse, riding
white horses and clothed in fine linen, white, and clean
(Revelation 19:14), undoubtedly involves two groups. First,
it includes the angels, the hosts of the Lord, as they are
often called in the Old Testament (Joshua 5:14-15; 1 Kings
22:19; 2 Chronicles 18:18; Nehemiah 9:6). His army will also
include church age saints note the description. They are
clothed in fine linen, white and clean. In verse 8 this same
expression is explained as “the righteous acts of the
saints.”
A note of contrast and comparison, in Ephesians 6:11 we are
told to “put on the full armor of God.” The phrase, “Put on”
literally means, “you yourself put on,” or “you clothe
yourself.” In this present age, we are commanded to put on,
or to clothe ourselves in the full armor of God as a
protection against the schemes of the devil in our battle
against Satan and his forces. This armor gives capacity to
stand against his many strategies. In this case, we may fail
to do so and be trampled on by the devil. In the future when
we come with the Lord, however, He will have permanently
clothed us.
In verses 15-16, the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ is
seen in His Name, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (v 16).
In verse 12 the “diadems,” are the royal crowns He will
wear, which demonstrate His authority over the whole earth.
He has “many crowns” versus the ten of the beast, He is King
above all kings, and Lord above all lords. However, some
interpreters simply take this to refer to Christ’s
sovereignty over the hearts of men, and of the kingdom of
God within man. However, verse 15 shows clearly that John is
referring to God’s rule on earth through the very person of
Christ.
His authority is also seen in the sharp sword with which he
smites the nations in judgment, slaying and removing the
enemies. This is preparatory to the millennial reign of
Christ.
His authority and the nature of His rule is also seen in,
“He will rule them with a rod of iron” (Psalm 2:9;
Revelation 2:27). This represents the unyielding and
absolute governmental authority of Jesus Christ in His
kingdom reign under which men are required to conform to the
righteous and just standards. No lawlessness or injustices
will be tolerated. Men today can get away with murder,
deceit, fraud, lying, you name it, but not then.
“Rule” means “to shepherd.” In this, we see the nature of
His rule. It will be like a shepherd who cares for his
sheep. It will involve love, provision for all needs,
spiritually and physically, as well as discipline and swift
and effective justice. No plea bargaining under the
authority and justice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Rod of iron” further describes the nature of His rule.
Shepherds normally used a staff made of wood with which they
protected, cared for, and disciplined the sheep. This rod,
however, is made of iron that symbolizes the strength,
absolute authority, and unbreakable nature of His authority
and rule.
His authority is further shown by the phrase “and He treads
the wine press” This figure returns to what He must do in
order to take up His rule on earth. It is a striking figure
of the judgment that will occur at Christ’s return
(Revelation 14:20). The picture is that of treading a wine
press full of grapes. The press runs red with the juice of
the grapes pulverized by the treading. Therefore, when
Christ returns with His armies and lands on the Mount of
Olives, He will literally destroy hundreds of thousands and
their blood will flow through the Promised Land Revelation
14:19-20).
“Treads” means He continues the judgment until all the
enemies are defeated, either slain or gathered for judgment.
The armies of the beast will be wiped out while the rest of
humanity will be gathered for judgment. They will either be
cast directly into the lake of fire or allowed, if
believers, to go into the millennial reign of Christ.
“Of the fierce wrath” The text is showing us that this wine
press proceeds from the divine holiness of God. Remember
that Revelation 14:10 declares God’s wrath will he poured
out, at this point, in full strength, undiluted, and without
mercy and grace. It will be too late for mercy and too late
for repentance. Up to this point, unless people received the
mark of the beast, they could repent and accept Jesus
Christ. However, not after Christ appears in heaven. God’s
forbearance with man, finally, ends, as in the days of Noah.
