Daily devotion – the return of the King
Revelation 19: 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 paints a powerful and awe-inspiring picture of the victorious return of Christ, not as the humble servant who came to seek and save the lost, but as the conquering King who will bring righteous judgment to the world. This passage is a reminder to us all that there will be an end to things as we know them on earth.
In Matthew 24:3, the disciples asked Jesus this exact question: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus then proceeded to explain the signs of the end times, warning His followers to be watchful and prepared for His return. This coming Sunday evening at 6:00 pm, we will dive deep into this important passage to understand the signs that we are living in the last days.
For Christians today, we eagerly await the rapture of the Church, the moment when Jesus will call His bride to Himself. Following the rapture will be Daniel’s 70th week, a 7-year period known as the Tribulation. This will be a time of unparalleled judgment on a Christ-rejecting world, culminating in the return of Christ with His Church at the end of the Tribulation. This is where Revelation 19 comes into play, as Christ’s Second Coming is described in all its power and glory.
Revelation 19:11-16 reveals Christ, no longer the suffering Savior, but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, returning to bring justice and judgment upon the earth. His eyes blaze like fire, symbolizing His ability to see and judge righteously. The many crowns He wears signify His ultimate authority and sovereign rule. His robe dipped in blood speaks of His triumph over His enemies, and the sword from His mouth represents the power of His Word.
Jesus will not be alone in this victory. The armies of Heaven, clothed in white linen, will ride with Him on white horses. These armies are composed not only of angels but also of the saints, the redeemed who will return with Christ. Yet, it will not be necessary for the army to engage in battle. Christ alone will defeat His enemies with the power of His Word.
Three great victories will be accomplished by Christ:
Defeating the armies of the kings of the earth – those who have rebelled against God.
Destroying the beast (Antichrist) and the false prophet, who have deceived the nations.
Satan’s ultimate defeat, which will follow shortly after.
As believers, we are called to live with expectancy. The rapture of the Church could happen at any moment, and the signs Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 are increasingly evident in our world today. Wars, unrest, moral decline, and the rise of deception point us to the nearness of His return.
At the same time, we must heed the call to be watchmen. We have a responsibility to warn others and proclaim the Gospel, so that as many as possible will be ready to meet their Creator. Let us ensure that our own spiritual houses are in order, that we are not caught asleep or unprepared when Christ returns.
The days ahead may be filled with uncertainty, but as we stand firm on the promises of God’s Word, we can be assured that Christ’s victory is certain. Let us live in the light of this truth, sharing the hope we have in Him and looking forward to the glorious day when He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!