“And I saw heaven opened, and beheld a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.” Revelation 19:11
It took God almost the entire life of John the Apostle to bring him to the point where He could reveal His glory to him, a vision that had its primary application to the last days, or the days leading up to His triumphant return, the establishment of His kingdom, and His rule on earth as it is in heaven. That vision would carry on beyond the millennium to the final battle against Satan, his defeat and eternal judgment. It would be carried forward into the new heaven and new earth which Christ would create for the redeemed, where His glory would be revealed in fullest measure. But why does God give this vision of Christ, not only one that is speaking to the seven churches of Asia, and giving a glimpse of things to come, but the One who graciously and constantly, earnestly inviting believers to go to the door and let Him in, and to those who are thirsty for truth and life, to come to Him the fountain of living waters, to drink of living water? What a contrast between the presentation of the availability of Christ to His church, to come and meet every need, to the vision of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, sitting upon a white horse, dressed in linen, but coming with a sharp sword coming out of His mouth? Why such a vision, and why is it necessary for our day in particular?
Towards the conclusion of the Revelation, John gives us a very descriptive picture of the Conquering Christ. One aspect of the Lord’s appearance, that we see throughout the book is that His “eyes were as a flame of fire.” (19:12) From this One who is called Faithful and True, coming on a white horse in righteousness, coming to judge and make war, is the declaration of His name, “The Word Of God.” (19;13) This is very important, for the “Word of God” is not only the expression of His holy nature, as the appearance of His eyes reveal to us, but this eternal “Word” is that means by which He will conquer His foes, and those of the church. Scripture then tells us that it is with this “sharp sword,” that He will smite the nations. Christ does not come to judge the world in iron and material armor. He comes in the pure and inexhaustible power of His person, demonstrating His absolute power and authority in the Words that He speaks. The Creator who spoke and creation came into existence is this One who speaks and His righteous judgment is accomplished, nothing on earth and in heaven being able to deter or stop Him. Christ is indeed the sovereign, and all-powerful King of kings, and absolute monarch, and the ruler of all, the Lord of Lords.
As the Gospel of John was written for the entire world, both Jew and Gentile (non-Jew), so the book of Revelation was written primarily for Christ’s church, His body, His bride. As to the need of the church, what is it that the book was intended to accomplish in the heart of the church in the last days? It was first a beautiful, and powerful, appeal to the church to believe, walk in the light, abide in Him, know and love Him, worshipping and serving Him in truth by the Spirit. It was also to be a powerful means to faith, to encourage and inspire the church to overcome all resistance to her existence, and the message of the Gospel that Christ had given her to proclaim. On the one hand, the love of God is constantly extended to this living “lampstand” to encourage the church to follow the Lamb. On the other hand, God paints, in inexhaustible detail, the unfolding of the days of His judgment and wrath upon all ungodliness. The question then arises: How shall we live?
Dear Father, Thrust us forward today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.