Janury 30 - February 5

Revelation 19:8-14

19:8 She has been given the privilege of wearing dazzling, pure linen.” This fine linen represents the things that God’s holy people do that have his approval.

We are told both what the bride of Christ wore and what her cloth- ing represented. She was dressed in the finest, purest, whitest linen, which signifies, as described, “the things that God’s holy people do that have his approval.” The saints that comprised the bride had the sins of their human lives washed away and forgiven forever by God at Calvary when the substitutionary sacrifice became sin for man (2 Corinthians 5:21). They were a pure, sinless body of redeemed that were able to stand before the perfect holiness of the righteous Lamb and God Almighty because of the grace and mercy of God Who had forgiven them. “Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7b). “John saw Jesus coming toward him the next day and said, ‘Look! This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’” (John 1:29).

19:9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the lamb’s wedding banquet.’ ” He also told me, “These are the true words of God.”

The voice told John to write these things down that he saw and heard. More specifically, he was told to record what was told to him: “Blessed are those who are invited to the lamb’s wedding banquet.” Truly blessed beyond what words can describe are those who have been called by God’s sovereign grace to join the Lamb and to wor- ship in His presence forevermore! John was also told that these were the “true words of God.” The message was directed by Almighty God and was, therefore, perfect and truthful in its merit.

19:10 I bowed at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Don’t do that! I am your coworker and a coworker of the Christians who hold on to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy!”

Being overwhelmed with all that he witnessed, John fell prostrate at the feet of the angel who had been revealing these visions. The being immediately rejected this gesture of worship and insisted that John rise to his feet. Refusing undeserved worship, he declared his status as a “coworker.” Though he was an angel, he equated his posi- tion as being no greater than that of John or of “the Christians who hold on to the testimony of Jesus.” “⁸I, John, heard and saw these things. When I had heard and seen them, I bowed to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing me these things. ⁹He told me, ‘Don’t do that! I am your coworker. I work with other Christians, the prophets, and those who follow the words in this book. Worship God!’” (Revelation 22:8–9).

They were both servants of God, neither greater than the other and each subject only to the Almighty Lord, to Whom the angel redirected John’s worship. Then, he further explained that this testimony of Jesus was “the spirit of prophecy.” This statement has received varied interpretation from commentators. Perhaps the most straightforward explanation is to conclude that the angel sought to redirect John’s focus upon Jesus Christ, from Whom these visions were given and to Whom all authentic prophecy pertains.5 The bride was made ready, and the Bridegroom was about to make His unforgettable entrance.

19:11 I saw heaven standing open. There was a white horse, and its rider is named Faithful and True. With integrity he judges and wages war.

This verse begins what is arguably one of the most awe-inspiring passages in the entire Bible—the majestic arrival of Jesus Christ as the King of kings, the victor over sin and death, and the triumphant, majestic ruler of the world! The heavens parted like great curtains opening to an enormous stage, and a radiant figure emerged riding upon a white horse. It was the Lord Jesus Christ, called “Faithful and True” not as adjectives but as a title depicting His character. It is mentioned that “He judges and wages war” with integrity since these would be the very reasons He would appear among the clouds. He had returned to wage a holy war (verses 19–21) that would culminate in the judgment of all mankind (Revelation 20:12–15). This would be an unparalleled scene that would certainly be visible from every corner of the world. “The Son of Man will come again just as lightning flashes from east to west” (Matthew 24:27).

19:12 His eyes are flames of fire. On his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him, but only he knows what it is.

After describing the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ, John offers a physical description of the glorious rider seated upon the white horse. His eyes were like flames, seeming to emphasize the Judge’s inescapable and penetrating gaze⁶ (Revelation 1:14). The many crowns atop His head draw an immediate contrast far superior to the beast’s ten crowns (Revelation 13:1). This has been commonly accepted as referring to Christ’s endless dominion and unlimited sovereignty.⁷ John also noted that the triumphant Messiah had a name written that could not be understood by anyone other than Himself. Though many commentators have presented certain possibilities to answer this apparent riddle, readers must be satisfied with the unknown on this subject except, perhaps, as it serves to exhibit Christ’s transcen- dence. In fact, seldom can we be more certain that an answer will not be made known than for the text itself to verify the matter so conclusively as to simply say that no one could know except him. Therefore, speculation on this matter is pointless. Jesus had already been identified as “Faithful and True” and would be further identi- fied in the verse which follows.

19:13 He wears clothes dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

John describes the returning King as wearing a robe that had been dipped in blood. One possibility is that the blood was Christ’s own—that redeeming blood by which the victory over sin and death was accomplished for God’s faithful.⁸ “Take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his clothes and on his sons and their clothes. In this way Aaron, his sons, and their clothes will be holy” (Exodus 29:21). Another possibility is that the blood on the robe belonged to the Lord’s enemies, both those whose judgment had already taken place and those whose judgment was now imminent.

I have trampled alone in the winepress. No one was with me. In my anger I trampled on people. In my wrath I stomped on them. Their blood splattered my clothes so all my clothing has been stained. (Isaiah 63:3)

“The grapes were trampled in the winepress outside the city. Blood flowed out of the winepress as high as a horse’s bridle for 1,600 stadia” (Revelation 14:20). The blood signifies that Jesus alone had the right to serve as the righteous and holy judge over mankind.

The name of Him Who sat upon the white horse was the Word of God. This is the one and same Jesus Christ Who formed the earth and later manifested Himself as one of His own creation to purchase its redemption. “¹In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . ¹⁴The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with his only Son, a glory full of kindness and truth” (John 1:1, 14). He now reap- peared at the conclusion of earth’s lifespan as the conquering King to avenge the blood of His servants (Revelation 19:2), to abolish forever His enemy and sin (Revelation 20:10), to judge the reprobate for their unfaithfulness (Revelation 20:12–15), and to establish His eternal kingdom (Revelation 21:1–3).

19:14 The armies of heaven, wearing pure, white linen, follow him on white horses.

An army of heaven followed the Lord as He returned to the earth. They, too, all rode upon white horses and were dressed in fine linen, which represents the righteousness they possessed through their leader (verse 8). This multitude had assembled to accompany the Lord Jesus Christ at His return to the earth not because the Lord would require their assistance to secure His victory but so that they might participate in the celebration with Him.

Whether this army was comprised of saints or angels or both is uncertain. It seems consistent with other Scriptures to affirm that, at the very least, this group will consist of those whose redemption was purchased by the Messiah’s sacrifice at Calvary. “They will go to war against the lamb. The lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those who are called, chosen, and faithful are with him” (Revelation 17:14).

Notes/Applications

Bride of the Lamb, awake, awake!

Why sleep for sorrow now?

The hope of glory, Christ, is thine, A child of glory thou.

Thy spirit, through the lonely night, From earthly joy apart,

Hath sighed for One that’s far away— The Bridegroom of thy heart.

But see! the night is waning fast, The breaking morn is near;

And Jesus comes, with voice of love, Thy drooping heart to cheer.

He comes—for oh, His yearning heart

No more can bear delay—

10 Revelation: Tribulation and Triumph

To scenes of full unmingled joy

To call His bride away.

Then weep no more; ’tis all thine own

His crown, His joy divine;

And, sweeter far than all beside

He, He Himself is thine!⁹

The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, will one great day return to earth in all of His glory to reconcile all wrongs. He, as the Word, the Truth, the Amen, and the Faithful Witness, will descend from His place at the Father’s right hand to judge the archenemy and rule the earth according to His holy ban- ner of truth and righteousness.¹⁰

Furthermore, when Christ returns to battle the archenemy, He will not enter upon a lowly colt as He chose to do when He entered Jerusalem during the Passover. He will triumphantly return upon a white stallion, and we, as His bride, will follow on white horses because He has redeemed us from the earth with His precious blood (verse 14).

To be able to ride with the Lord among the armies of heaven transcends our minds because it will be an experience beyond our loftiest dreams, yet Scripture confirms that this will be an actuality. If we remind ourselves of the gift of God’s promises wrapped in these prophetic words, it will help us to endure present tribulations with prayerful anticipation.

Faithful and True, O, Living Word, we anticipate your triumphant return, for then our eyes shall behold as You wage war against the ser- pent of old. By the sword of Your mouth, You will bring the archenemy to shame, crushing his evil empire and casting him into the brimstone’s flame. Lord of lords, King of kings, faithful witness of the Father, we await the day when every tongue will proclaim that Jesus Christ is the name above all names.

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