This week we continue with Revelation 19:11-16:

 

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.

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.

He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

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.

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (NKJV).

 

         Now the prophecy comes to some of the most exciting times in human history—the Lord returning to take authority over the earth that He purchased with His blood. He is coming to make war, which must be done before the peace of His kingdom can be established. He will war in righteousness, and His judgments will be faithful and true.

        

         Here we see that His eyes are like flames of fire. I had trouble understanding why I had seen Him with blue eyes until I learned  that the hottest part of the flame is blue. However, the point is not so much the color of His eyes as it is about what the fire in them will do. They will burn up the “wood, hay, and stubble” in every life, and they will purify “the gold, silver, and precious stones.” This should cause us all to examine what we are building our lives on. Will it withstand His gaze?

 

         When He comes, He will be clothed in a robe dipped in His blood. Thus, His fierce righteousness is tempered by His mercy. He did not die so that He could come back and condemn the world—it was already condemned. As fierce as His return will be against evil and corruption, He is not coming back to condemn, but rather to save and restore.

 

Even so, this will begin with a great war, and the consuming of that which is consuming His creation. He is coming with “many crowns” on His head, which we can conclude is authority over every realm and sphere of influence. He is coming with “the armies of heaven” that none will be able to resist. He is coming with a “sharp sword” from His mouth to strike the nations, which is His word in all of its power. He is going to rule with a rod of iron while treading on the wine press of the wrath of God. All of this is a part of restoring the earth.