The Return of Christ

Then John saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it 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 diadems. He had a name written that no one knows but Himself. He was clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God.

The armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth came 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. On His robe and on His thigh He had a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

This was not the gentle carpenter who wept over Jerusalem, nor the suffering servant who went like a lamb to the slaughter. This was the conquering King, returning to claim what is rightfully His and to execute judgment on His enemies.

An angel standing in the sun called with a loud voice to all the birds flying directly overhead, 'Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.'

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. It was the ultimate rebellion—finite creatures thinking they could war against their infinite Creator. But the battle was no contest.

The beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed 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. 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.

The image was stark and sobering. Christ's return would not be to negotiate or compromise but to conquer. Those who had rejected Him, persecuted His people, and worshiped the beast would face judgment. The victory won spiritually at Calvary would be manifested physically and visibly when Christ returned in glory.

For believers, this vision brought hope: their suffering was temporary, their vindication certain. Christ would return, and every knee would bow. For unbelievers, it was a final warning: there is still time to repent, but when Christ returns as conquering King, the time for mercy will have passed.