On the one hand, the return of Jesus Christ to the earth is the climax of all that has preceded. On the other, it is the first of seven final things that John saw and recorded. These things were Christ's return, Satan's capture, Satan's binding, the Millennium, Satan's final end, the last judgment, and the new heavens and earth including the New Jerusalem. These events are in chronological sequence, as will become clear.644The chronological progression of events on earth resumes from 16:21.645
"The second coming of Christ is an absolutely essential theme in New Testament theology. In his cross and resurrection, Christ won a great victory over the powers of evil; by his second coming, he will execute that victory. Apart from his return to purge his creation of evil, redemption remains forever incomplete."646
"Those who believe in the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ must also look for his return."647
19:11 John saw another scene in heaven (Gr. kai eidon, "And I saw"). He now saw heaven standing open (cf. Ezek. 1:1), not just a door open (4:1) or the heavenly temple open (11:19). A white horse symbolizes victory over one's enemies (cf. 2 Cor. 2:14). Here John saw Christ rather than Antichrist (6:2) riding a white horse (cf. Isa. 62:11). John described Him as Faithful (trustworthy) and True (righteous, the real Messiah; cf. 3:14).648He came out of heaven to judge the beast and to make war with him on earth (cf. Isa. 11:3-5).
19:12 Jesus Christ's eyes suggest His piercing judgment of sin that takes everything into account (cf. 1:14; 2:18). His many diadems (Gr. diadema, regal crowns, cf. 12:3; 13:1) symbolize His right to rule the world as King of kings.649His unknown name was not known to John or to anyone else at that time, but it may become known when Jesus Christ returns (cf. 2:17; Matt. 11:27).
"Throughout the ancient world a name revealed the nature of an individual, who he is and what he is. The unknown name of the Christ comports with the fact that his nature, his relationships to the Father, and even his relationship to humanity, transcend all human understanding."650
"It is possible that there is another thought. Those who practiced magic in the first century believed that to know a name gave power over him whose name it was. John may well be saying that no-one has power over Christ. He is supreme. His name is known only to Himself."651
19:13 The blood on His robe is probably the blood of his enemies in view of the context (cf. Isa. 63:2-3). As many of the symbols in this passage, this one is also proleptic anticipating His victory. The "Word of God"is a familiar title signifying that He is the expression of God's mind and heart (Isa. 49:2; John 1:1, 14; cf. 1 John 1:1). This "word"includes prophecies about God's purposes (v. 9; 1:2; 17:17). It is the same "word"that brought the worlds into existence as God's active agent (John 1:3; cf. Gen. 1:3, 6, 9; Ps. 33:6; Heb. 4:12). As a title in Revelation "Word of God"emphasizes the authoritative declaration that results in the destruction of God's enemies rather than the self-revelation of God.652
19:14 With Christ come armies mounted on horses.
"As the Lamb, Christ is followed by the saints (17:14); as the heavenly Warrior, he is followed by the angels."653
Angels will accompany Jesus Christ at His second coming (Matt. 13:41; 16:27; 24:30-31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; 2 Thess. 1:7), but it seems unlikely that they are the persons on horses. Rather these seem to be human beings (cf. 17:14; 2:27; Zech. 14:5). Their dress connects them with the Lamb's bride (v. 8).
"This heavenly army, unlike their leader, has no swords or spears. They take no part in the action. They wear no armor because, being immortal, they are immune to injury. They are noncombatant supporters of the Messiah as He wages the war single-handedly . . ."654
19:15 Christ will strike down His enemies with a word that His long, tongue-shaped sword (Gr. hromphaia) symbolized (cf. 1:16; Isa. 11:4; 49:2). He will destroy His enemies with inflexible righteousness that the iron shepherd's rod that will serve as His scepter pictures (cf. 2:27; 12:5; Ps. 2:9; 45).655He will execute the fierce wrath of God Almighty that these enemies must drink (cf. v. 13; 14:8, 10, 19-20; 16:19; Isa. 63:1-6). God will judge Israel, namely, Jews living when He returns (Ezek. 20:33-38), and the Gentiles living then (Matt. 25:31-46).
19:16 The robe is a symbol of majesty, and the thigh suggests power. Evidently the name appeared on the part of Christ's robe that covered His thigh, which would be most conspicuous.656The title "King of kings"is one that Persian and later rulers of empires ascribed to themselves (cf. Ezra 7:12), but only the Messiah qualifies for it in its true sense (cf. Deut. 10:17).657
People living on earth at the time of the Second Coming will see Jesus Christ return (Matt. 24:30).658What a contrast this coming is with the Lord Jesus' first coming: as a baby, in humility and obscurity, riding a donkey into Jerusalem rather than a horse, coming to die rather than to reign.
