## Countdown to the Millennium: Return of Christ

## Revelation 19:11-16

Over the past few weeks we have been counting down to the millennium. We have looked at what the Scripture has to say about the coming end-time events. We have seen that the very next event will be the Rapture, the events that follow the Rapture in heaven will be the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage of the Lamb, the event that follows the Rapture on earth will be the Tribulation. Tonight we want to see what is next.

The next event will be the return of Christ in glory. Note: Revelation 19:11-16. Note that this event will be seven years after the coming of Christ in the air. At that time He came for the believers, when He returns in glory we, as believers, will return with Him! This is the second advent of Christ!

I. The Description of the One Who Comes.

A. Physical description.

1. Riding upon a white horse.

a. He comes in contrast to the antichrist in Re. 6:2.

b. He comes riding on a white horse to indicate triumph and victory.

c. The first time He came in humility and quietness, but now Heaven is opened and He bursts onto the scene in power!

2. His eyes were as a flame of fire.

a. While on earth His eyes were flooded with tears of sorrow and heartache.

b. When He looked upon the unbelieving world He was moved with compassion.

c. Now His eyes indicate the severity of the coming judgment.

3. On His head were many crowns.

a. At Calvary He was crowned in mockery with a crown of thorns.

b. Now He is crowned with honor and glory.

c. His many crowns is symbolic of His sovereignty, King of kings and Lord of lords.

4. Clothed in a vesture dipped in blood.

a. A 'vesture' is simply a garment or a covering.

b. The blood is not His blood.

c. It is representative of the results of the tribulation judgments. cf Re. 14:19-20

5. With a sharp sword coming out of His mouth.

a. Heb. 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword.

b. Paul wrote that the sword of the Spirit was the Word of God. cf Ep. 6:17

c. John's earlier description of Christ said that He had a sharp two-edged sword that proceeded from His mouth. cf Re. 1:16

d. The same power that spoke the world into existence will bring forth judgment when Jesus returns in glory!

B. The Names of Christ.

1. Faithful and True.

a. Men are not faithful and do not tell the truth.

b. But here is One who is always faithful and always truthful.

c. He is going to keep every promise and be true to every warning that He has ever given.

2. "A name written that no man knew, but he himself." v12b

3. The Word of God. v13

a. This name identifies Him as the incarnate Christ.

b. The Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word became flesh. cf Jn. 1:14

c. He, who is the Creator, will also be the judge of mankind.

4. King of kings and Lord of lords. v16

a. This is His victorious name.

b. He has already won the victory.

c. Even today, it matters little who sits upon the throne or in the seat of authority...for Jesus is still King of kings and Lord of lords!

II. The Purpose of His Coming.

A. He Comes to "Judge".

1. He was judged in unrighteousness.

a. While on earth He stood before Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate.

b. All convicted Him, the innocent Son of God, and condemned Him to death.

2. He will judge in righteousness.

a. Note: Acts 17:31

b. Note: Jude v1 4-15

3. There will be three major judgments.

a. The Judgment Seat of Christ: believers will be rewarded for their faithfulness.

b. The Judgment of Nations: this will be the living Gentiles at the close of the tribulation. (also called the sheep/goat judgment)

c. The Great White Throne judgment: where all of the wicked dead will be judged for eternity at the close of the millennial reign of Christ.

B. He Comes to "Make War".

1. "The armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses"

a. Note that there is more than one army.

b. There will be an army of angels with the Lord. cf 2Thess. 1:7-9

c. There will also be an army of believers. cf 1 Thess. 3:13

2. But the armies will not join in the battle.

a. As a matter of fact, there really will not be much of a battle!

b. In v19, we see the preparation that antichrist and his armies make to go to war against God.

c. But in the very next verse we read that "the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet".

d. In v21, we see that the rest of the armies of antichrist were slain by the Word of God!

3. The enemy is imprisoned for a 1000 years.

Exciting events are in the future. Jesus is coming soon! This is not some fairy tale, this is the truth of the Word of Almighty God! Are we ready to meet God? The rapture may come at any moment.

Then comes the terrible tribulation period of judgment upon this earth. Jesus will return and put down the antichrist and his followers, bind Satan for a 1000 years, and establish His kingdom on this earth.

Are we ready for His coming?