Revelation Study 25. Revelation 19:11-21(pgs 158-159)

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 "The Return of the King"

6. What characteristics of the rider are mentioned in 19:11-16?
Sitting on a white horse (v.11a)
Faithful and True (v.11b) cf. 3:7, 14
Righteously judging and making war (v.11c). Not all war is unrighteous
Eyes like a flame of fire (v.12a) = purity, holiness cf. 1:14, 2:18)
Head has many diadems (v.12b). = ultimate authority
A written name no one knows but himself (v.12c). Likely alluding to divine mystery.
Clothed in a robe dipped in blood (v.13a) = of his enemies
His name is The Word of God (v.13b) (cf. Jn 1:1ff)
Leads the armies of heaven (v.14a) 
Has a sharp sword coming from his mouth to strike down the nations (v.15a).  cf. Is 11:4, 2 The 2:8
He will rule the nations with a rod of iron (v.15b) cf. 2:27, 12:8, Ps 2:9
He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty (v.15c) cf. 14:20, Is 63:3
Has a name (King of kings and Lord of Lords, cf.17:14) written on his robe and on his thigh. (v.16) 
 

For Further Study: To understand the robe dipped in blood, see Isaiah 63:1-3 and Revelation 14:14-20.
It is the blood of those whom God has judged
 

7. Who do you think the rider is, and why?
Christ, from the many allusions in the description from previous chapters. He is the Faithful One,   the Lamb, the Ruler, the Judge, the King and Lord.

8. In light of Hebrews 4:12, why is it appropriate that the rider is called "the Word of God" in Revelation 19:13? How does this fit the context of what He is about to do?
cf. Heb 1:1-2. Jesus is God's final word to mankind
God's word is like a sword, "living and active" Christ is Himself the Word (Jn 1:1), and what He speaks (v. 15) carries divine authority. It destroys (2 Th 2:8)

 
9. What impressions of the rider does 19:11-16 leave you with? What do all the symbols tell you about Him?
The Divine Warrior

For Thought and Discussion: What Is your Impression of the battle In 19:19-21? Does It seem to be much of a contest? Explain.
No mention of details of the conflict
Capturing alive is more dominant than killing
The list of enemies is comprehensive ("small and great, v.18) 
The outcome is certain, predicted by the angel standing in the sun (19:17) 

For Thought and Discussion: Do you think there is a significance in the fact that the beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire alive, while the rest are killed (19:20-21)? If so, explain.
There is immediate summary judgment, cf. the judgment by the word ("sword" of the rest in 19:21)
Their fate is "worse than death"
An inversion of the honour of being taken alive to heaven
(cf. 14:10, 21:8) Conscious eternal punishment, but with degrees.

10. How is 19:17-19 a grim counterpart to 19:9?
The invitees to the marriage supper are blessed.
The invitees to the aftermath of the battle are birds, feasting on the corpses of rebels.
"small and great" is found in 19:5 and 11:18 as well. The blessings and judgments of God apply to all mankind. 
 
11. What does the rider do in 19:19-21?
 Makes war
Captures the beast and false prophet
Throws them alive into the lake of fire
Kills every other enemy with His word 
 
12. What important truths does 19:1-21 offer us today?
Jesus will triumph. He is not always gentle and mild. He is awesome and powerful. He will judge and destroy His enemies.  

13. Choose one of these truths to concentrate on for application. How would you like it to affect the way you think and live? 
 We don't have to be too upset about injustice now in this life.
 
 
 
 

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