Project 119: Revelation 19:11-21
| Project 119 | Amy Hirsch
The Conquering King
One of the things I love about the Book of Revelation is how John paints such vivid pictures for us. We’ve heard in our recent readings about God’s final victory in Christ, and now in Revelation 19:11–21, we see it for ourselves. The battle begun by God’s enemies at Armageddon (Revelation 16:12–16) is consummated by a rider on a white horse.
This description of Jesus is a little startling, isn’t it? I think we are probably more accustomed to thinking of Jesus as a kind and docile man Who gathered children to sit on His knee. We often picture Jesus as the slain Lamb of Revelation 5:6–10. While this is a true image, the slain Lamb is also the conquering King. On His second Advent, He won’t come as a baby, meek and mild. Instead, He will come as the Warrior, wielding His sword and ready to conquer. As Scott Duvall puts it, “Jesus will return in power because there is a final battle to be fought against the enemies of God. We dare not attempt to domesticate the Lion. He comes to destroy His enemies and establish His universal reign” (Scott Duvall, Teach the Text: Revelation).
What stands out to you from this description of Jesus found in verses 11–16? After reading Revelation, the name written on His robe and thigh, “King of kings and Lord of lords,” strikes me as a comforting truth in a world where worldly powers claim to be sovereign. Caesar may have called himself Lord. Babylon perhaps thought she was supreme. Satan may deceive himself into thinking he is almighty. But at Christ’s return, there will be no questions about Who is in charge. The King of kings and the Lord of lords will conquer His enemies once and for all. And notice how He will do it! Through just the word of His mouth, every opposing force will be overthrown (Revelation 19:15). Christ will speak and all will fall into submission. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11).
This text reminds me of C.S. Lewis’s portrayal of Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia. Aslan is the king of the wood, and Lewis uses Aslan to portray Christ in his allegorical series. The children worry about meeting Aslan for the first time because he is a lion, wondering if he is safe. The Beaver’s famous reply echoes in my mind in light of John’s word: “Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” (C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe). Jesus isn’t safe or docile. He will come to conquer and defeat His enemies. But He is a good and faithful and righteous King (Revelation 19:11).
Revelation 19:11-21 (ESV):
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.