WEBVTT 00:00:00.479 --> 00:00:00.800 Amen. 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:05.839 Well, if you got students in kindergarten through third grade, they can go ahead and head out to their class now. 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:07.679 Looks like they are doing that very well. 00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:12.560 The rest of us, if you would, go ahead and open up your Bibles to the book of Revelation. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:22.800 If you've not been with us in recent months, uh, we are making our way now through the last pages of the Bible. 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:25.600 We are coming to the very end of Scripture. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:28.719 This morning we'll be looking at chapter 19. 00:00:28.879 --> 00:00:32.399 If you don't have a Bible with you, there should be one under a chair around you. 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:35.600 Feel free to grab it, use it, take it home with you. 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:38.079 You can also, though, open up your bulletin. 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:40.320 Uh, the passage is in there to look at. 00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:47.520 This morning, we're gonna look at the second half of the chapter, verses 11 through 21, and we're gonna look at the king's return. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:51.600 This morning we're looking at the second coming of Christ. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:56.799 But before we do so, we as a culture, it seems, love boxes. 00:00:57.039 --> 00:01:03.359 And I don't mean the boxes that show up at your door maybe every single day or every other day from Amazon or Target or the like. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:05.840 I'm thinking metaphorically here. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:14.799 We love to put people, things, events, even parts of our lives in boxes. 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:20.640 We we love things to be clean and neat and tidy, even in our minds. 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:24.719 I think many of us almost like to think about it like moving into a new home. 00:01:24.959 --> 00:01:32.000 Well, this box goes over in the kitchen, this lamp belongs in the bedroom, these tools are to go in the garage. 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:38.079 We want everything to be where it's supposed to be and to fit the way it's supposed to fit. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:43.519 But when we do that just with our homes, we do that with everything almost in our life. 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:47.519 We do that even sometimes with Jesus. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:51.040 Sometimes we want to put Jesus in a box. 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:56.560 We want to wrap him up almost in a nice little bow in our mind. 00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:11.840 And for most of us, and I think much of our culture, what this means is this it means that we are very comfortable with scriptures that highlight Jesus' humility, Jesus' kindness, his grace, his compassion. 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:22.719 When we read that Jesus makes the blind see, the lame walk, heals the sick, we know exactly where those go in our boxes. 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:24.719 Now let me be really clear. 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:29.360 Jesus is wondrously kind in compassion. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:33.120 Jesus' love abounds. 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:38.319 But I think there's a danger in boxing in Jesus. 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:43.759 I think what we can begin to do is we can begin to think of Jesus as nice. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:48.400 Or maybe even worse, as tame. 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:53.759 We can begin to get comfortable with Jesus. 00:02:54.000 --> 00:03:02.319 We can begin, even I think, without realizing it, to think that we get to determine who Jesus is. 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:12.879 I've said this before in previous sermons, but that is actually the desire that was much or that was behind much of idol making in the ancient world. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:19.680 People would make idols of their gods, and they would almost always make them of domestic animals. 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:22.560 Never, almost never, wild animals. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:25.599 They wanted their gods to be controllable. 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:28.319 They wanted their gods to be safe. 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:33.439 Now, none of us are probably that blatant anymore. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:38.080 But I do wonder if sometimes we're not in danger of doing the same thing. 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:47.599 We can look at a passage like ours this morning, Revelation 19, one in which we're going to see Jesus' glory, authority, and might on full display. 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:52.319 One in which we're gonna see Jesus revealed not just as king, but as judge. 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:56.080 And not just as judge, but as warrior. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:59.919 And I think it makes some of us uneasy. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:01.439 Many of us. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:04.719 Almost a little bit uncomfortable. 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:09.039 Almost like we can't quite close the flap on our box anymore. 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:14.960 Jesus doesn't quite fit as nicely and neatly as we'd want him to. 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:17.519 But I think that's the point. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:19.920 Church, let me be really clear. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:24.560 We don't actually want a Jesus that fits nicely into our little box. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:36.000 As much as we may think we do, we don't want a small or tame Jesus because that a Jesus like that is powerless against that which most plagues us. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:41.040 See, such a Jesus may indeed make us feel warm inside. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:44.399 That Jesus can't change us. 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:48.399 That Jesus can't conquer our enemies. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:52.399 That Jesus isn't strong and powerful. 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:59.279 See, I think maybe I wonder if the reason we don't turn to Jesus more often. 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:16.319 I wonder sometimes even if the reason that our worship sometimes is half-hearted is because we've actually made a Jesus of our own making and lost the real Jesus. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:22.560 See, I think we need to be reminded of who Jesus is. 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:27.759 He is not small, he is not meager, and he is not tame. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:30.000 He fits in no box. 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:34.480 In fact, he bursts every single box. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:37.839 And that is a marvelous thing. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:44.639 See, Christian, here's what you need to be reminded of this morning, just as one application of the sort. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:46.800 Jesus is greater than your sin. 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:50.639 Jesus is far greater. 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.199 He is king and not your sin. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:55.199 I wonder if you know that this morning. 00:05:55.439 --> 00:05:57.279 I wonder if you really believe that. 00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:02.399 Do you know that your sin is absolutely no match for Jesus? 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:13.360 In fact, there is no power, there is no evil, there is no problem, there is no enemy that is any match for Jesus. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:25.920 See, I fear there are way too many of us that are walking and living our Christian lives with so little hope and confidence. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:30.000 Because we've put Jesus in a little box. 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:33.759 We've got a small Jesus. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:37.199 But Revelation 19 is a corrective for us. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:42.879 It's a needed reminder of the greatness and glory of our King. 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:47.199 And it is a needed reminder that this King, Jesus, is coming. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:51.120 And when he comes, he will conquer. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:53.439 Here's our main idea this morning. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:58.160 Our King will return to conquer our every enemy. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:03.040 Our King will return to conquer our every enemy. 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:09.360 Let's look at the first six verses of our passage, Revelation 19, 11 through 16. 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:10.639 Here's what it said. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:13.920 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:19.519 Its rider is called faithful and true, and with justice he judges and makes war. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:23.360 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:28.000 He had a name written that no one knows except himself. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:33.839 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:40.399 The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:46.079 A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:49.360 He will rule them with an iron rod. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:54.480 He will also trample the wine press of the fierce anger of God the Almighty. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:08:01.680 And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:05.759 First thing that I want us to see this morning is the King. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:14.800 This passage gives us in six verses maybe one of the most glorious descriptions of Jesus in Scripture. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:18.720 This is, if I might steal a title from J.R. 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:22.959 Tolkien, this is the return of the King. 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:29.680 See, Jesus was born humbly in a manger, but when he returns, he will come in full glory. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:32.240 And that's what we see in this passage. 00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:40.559 Church, this is where I think our sometimes our thinking and understanding of the resurrection is too minimal. 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:47.679 It is not only that Jesus has risen so that we might rise, so that death has been conquered. 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:52.240 The fact that Jesus has risen from the dead means that he's alive. 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:57.759 Means that right now he is king. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.120 And it means that one day he will return. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.600 See, that's actually the point of verse 11. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.960 Notice how it begins. 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:08.240 Then I saw heaven opened. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:10.320 Now, why does it start there? 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:12.399 Because where is Jesus right now? 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:16.879 He is in heaven, on the very throne of heaven. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:27.759 In this passage, John sees into the future heaven opening and Jesus coming out of heaven, Jesus returning in glory. 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:30.080 And notice how he'll return. 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:32.879 It says he'll come on a white horse. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:41.039 Now that's symbolic, and it's a symbol that many of us maybe think is a little bit confusing, but most of the ancient world would have understood really well. 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:53.519 See, they had seen many times emperors and military leaders riding on a white horse, always triumphant after a battle or over their enemies. 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.120 So what is the picture here? 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:59.919 Jesus riding in out of heaven on a white horse. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:07.679 It means that Jesus is triumphant, that his victory is certain and secure. 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:09.279 So think about the scene with me. 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:10.399 It's quite a scene. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:15.600 Jesus riding out on a white horse out of heaven after it being opened up. 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:17.039 And look at verse 14. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:30.960 His followers, uh the armies of heaven following behind him, also dressed in pure white linen linen, also riding white horses, coming out with him to battle. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:35.279 The scene is spectacular in so many ways. 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:42.480 But like any good concert, the true show isn't the fanfare, it's the band. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:44.879 And that is certainly the case here. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:47.600 The real glory is seen in Jesus. 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:52.240 This passage unpacks the glory of Jesus, and it does so in two primary ways. 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:55.919 It gives us the names of Jesus and then the appearance of Jesus. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:59.519 Let's look first at the names of the king. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:08.480 Verse 11 tells us that this king, Jesus, its rider of the horse, is called faithful and true. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:13.279 Now, that's a statement we might be quick to skip over, but I think it's a remarkable one. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:18.080 I think it's one that should even cause a sense of awe and hope in our hearts. 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:21.360 Here is the king who is true. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:28.799 No masquerading, no hypocrisy, not even a hint of fraud. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:32.559 He doesn't simply have the name or the title of king. 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:35.919 He doesn't simply look or resemble a king. 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.080 He is the king. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:41.440 He is the genuine artifact. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:43.600 And notice what else it says. 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:48.080 He is completely faithful, trustworthy. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:53.759 He fulfills every single promise he makes. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:06.159 He will never, ever ultimately disappoint or let us down. 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:09.519 He always comes through. 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:12.320 Don't we long for that kind of king? 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:23.600 Steph and I are watching the count of Monte Cristo, and what you see in that uh book and in this show is so much corruption of leaders. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:29.120 Those who have power and wealth and influence have been so corrupted. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:31.039 That's what we expect. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:39.679 Power corrupts, but here is one who has all power and no corruption. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:42.639 He is the one who is faithful and true. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.279 Church, here's where we need a reminder. 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:47.679 This is our king right now. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:53.039 Jesus is returning, but right now he is our king. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:55.200 We have this very king. 00:12:55.360 --> 00:13:01.120 How often do you, do we take that for granted? 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:04.240 Look at the second name, verse 12. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:06.320 Sort of a name, maybe not a name. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:11.120 He had a name written that no one knows except himself. 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:16.000 It's like maybe the most confusing, least exciting of the titles of Jesus. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:17.360 You're like, well, wait a second. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:21.679 Maybe even you look at that and you're like, oh, he has a name that no one knows, and the next passage says his name is. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:24.159 Wait a second, what is happening here? 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:26.720 Well, again, there's a point to this. 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:32.960 The point is that Jesus is transcendent, he is incomprehensible. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:37.039 Jesus is greater than anyone and anything. 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:41.120 No one can name him, no one can title him, no one can buy him. 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:52.720 Remember in the ancient world, if you knew the name of a God, it was believed that if you knew the name of a God or a sorcerer, you could harness that God or sorcerer's power. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:56.240 You might even think of the sons of Skeva in Acts. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:14:01.919 They actually try to cast out demons by the name of Jesus, but they don't know Jesus. 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:05.840 And the point of this passage is that you can't do that. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:10.080 That no one harnesses Jesus. 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:12.879 That no one controls Jesus. 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:15.679 He isn't in anyone's pockets. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:18.159 No one can exploit him. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:29.279 Those sons of Skeva, they would literally have the pants beaten off of them because they tried to use Jesus. 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:31.440 No one uses Jesus. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:33.360 Now, Christians, think about this. 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:38.879 How amazing is it then that we sinners know this Jesus. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:49.279 And that this King of Kings actually invites us to call him brother, friend. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.519 This is our king. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:54.159 Look at the next name that we see at the end of verse 13. 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:56.879 His name is called the Word of God. 00:14:57.039 --> 00:15:01.840 Now remember, John writes Revelation, and he also wrote the Gospel of John. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:04.960 And he began his gospel in this way, John 1:1. 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:10.240 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:17.360 And if you were to continue through the chapter, you would see that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, that that word is Jesus. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:21.039 Jesus is God the Word. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:27.120 See, to name Jesus as the Word of God is to emphasize that He is the perfect revelation of God. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:32.080 That He, being God Himself, actually makes God known to us. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:36.960 To know God is to know, or to know Jesus is to know God. 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:40.080 But think about what else this means. 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:46.080 Jesus being the Word of God means that he has the full power and authority of God. 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:51.039 How is it that God creates, sustains, redeems? 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.320 It's by his word. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.919 Jesus is the word. 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:56.240 How is it that God governs? 00:15:56.399 --> 00:16:00.000 Where is it that we find God's authority, God's rule? 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.159 It is in and by his word. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.840 Jesus is the word. 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:10.240 Jesus has all the authority and power of God because he is God the King. 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:15.200 Now I think there's a lot that we could say here, but let me just note this. 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:17.840 To know Jesus is to know God. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:21.279 To obey Jesus is to obey God. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:26.159 Whatever we do with Jesus is what we do with God. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:28.559 Because he is God the King. 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:32.240 Now, verse 16 gives us the last name in this passage. 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:37.919 He has a name written on his robe and on his thigh, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:44.399 In case we had any question about Jesus' glory, this passage leaves zero doubt. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:47.919 He is not merely a king or even the king. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:50.639 He is the king of kings. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:53.120 Now that's an idiom. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:59.279 It's a phrase, one that was very popular in the ancient world, but still we understand today. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:02.399 To say that means that he is the best of the best. 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:04.960 He is the greatest of the greatest. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.720 He is the king of all kings. 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:09.920 He is the lord of all lords. 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:16.480 Friends, we know that in our world, there's a pecking order to our culture. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:22.000 You might think right now of those who might have some sort of authority over you. 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:27.680 If you're a kid in here, parent would be a good person to think about. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:40.720 Maybe a teacher or a principal, if you are a teacher, a supervisor or a manager, maybe it's a VP or a CEO or a judge, or maybe it's the president, or maybe it's the nation. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:46.400 Everyone has someone who has some authority over them. 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.640 But not this one. 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:52.400 Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.400 He reports to no one. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:57.200 Church, here's what that means. 00:17:57.839 --> 00:18:00.960 Jesus wants, we are his people. 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:03.759 Jesus wants our good. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:16.400 And if Jesus reports to no one, that means whatever Jesus promises and whatever Jesus wants for us will indeed happen. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:22.480 Nothing can thwart even the smallest plan or promise of our king. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:25.519 Now those are just the names of the king. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:28.000 Let's consider the appearance of the king. 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:30.480 We got four descriptions here as well. 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.680 Look at verse 12. 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:34.480 His eyes were like a fiery flame. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:36.799 This is not the first time we've heard this description. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:43.200 The very beginning of Revelation, verse 14 of chapter 1, says the exact same thing, and the point is actually the same. 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:47.279 What we're about to see is Jesus come in judgment and to conquer. 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:52.160 And what we know here is that this judgment is wholly just. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:58.319 Because Jesus doesn't just see the outside, he knows the heart. 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:04.000 Jesus sees everything and he sees through everything. 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:10.720 Nothing escapes his judgment, nor does anything undermine his judgment. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:15.599 Now, can I tell you something that often frustrates me about me? 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:27.200 So often I think, speak, and live as if Jesus does not see or does not know. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.200 Do you ever do that? 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:32.799 Do you ever give in to sin or temptation? 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:38.480 And in the back of your mind, you have this reasoning of sort of like, well, no one's watching. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:53.839 No one sees, no one knows, no one's listening, forgetting that actually the one who is the judge of all hears everything, sees everything, and knows everything. 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:56.880 His eyes are like a fiery flame. 00:19:57.119 --> 00:20:02.640 But look at the end of verse 12, he also had many crowns on his head. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:11.599 Now, crowns in John's day, these types of crowns weren't like the ones that you might imagine with like all the, I don't know, jewels and craziness up there. 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.680 They're almost like headbands. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:21.920 And if you had this sort of headband, what it meant is that you were the highest authority in this region or territory. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:26.559 And what this passage is telling us is that Jesus has all the headbands. 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:33.440 He has all the crowns, that he is the highest authority in every single place. 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:39.279 Friends, that is true now, but it's veiled. 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:44.160 When Jesus returns, we will see his glory and authority in full. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:47.200 Now, as a brief application, you know what this means? 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:50.160 It means that he has authority over us. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:57.920 And I know that this is such a simple truth, but I feel like I need to be reminded of it daily. 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:01.440 That Jesus is king and I'm not. 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:07.119 That my life is his and not mine. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:12.880 He is the king of kings and the Lord of lords, the one who has many crowns. 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:15.519 Now, here's why that is such a good thing. 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:17.680 Look at the beginning of verse 13. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:21.440 He wore a robe dipped in blood. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.519 Interesting image. 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:34.880 There are some questions as to its meaning, but because it is Jesus riding into the battle, I think it is best to understand this blood on his robe as his own. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:40.160 That this is pointing back to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:42.319 That's who our king is. 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:52.559 Friends, the king of kings is the king who went to the cross willingly, suffered for us. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:22:04.480 He came first not to judge, but in one sense to be judged, or at the very least, to take Our judgment for our sin upon himself. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:06.160 That's our king. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:09.279 Look at verse 15, the last description. 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:11.119 He had a sharp sword. 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:13.839 A sharp sword came from his mouth. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:17.839 He only carries one weapon into the battle. 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.200 No other weapons. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:21.839 And it's really a picture of a weapon. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.839 We saw this again in Revelation 1. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:27.359 He didn't literally have a sword coming out of his mouth. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:31.920 These, this symbol uh it points to his words. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:37.599 All Jesus needs is his very word. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:45.279 All he has to do is speak to accomplish his every purpose and to conquer any who would oppose him. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:48.319 Now, church, why do we have this description? 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:54.400 Towards the end of Revelation of Jesus' return, why do we hear so much and see so much of who Jesus is? 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:57.519 Well, I imagine it a little bit like Isaiah 40. 00:22:57.759 --> 00:23:00.079 I don't know if you remember when we studied it in the fall. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:04.079 Isaiah 40 is this behold your God passage. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:10.000 Israel in exile in Babylon, God seems so distant and small. 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:18.799 What they need in that moment is to be reminded of who their God is, that He is their strength, and that He has all strength. 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:23.680 Well, think about this, especially the first hearers, but I think us this morning as well. 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:30.160 Here are a people in which probably are tempted to think that Jesus is small and distant. 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:35.200 And Rome looms so large and ever present. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:38.720 Our culture looms so large and ever present. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:41.759 And what do we need to be reminded? 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:45.680 We need to be reminded that we need to see our king. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:53.440 And that we need to see him in all his glory, our resurrected, reigning, and returning king. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:56.000 And that's exactly what this vision shows us. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.640 But you know what? 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:59.599 It actually shows us just a little bit more. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:02.880 Because this vision actually shows us us. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:05.279 We're in this vision. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.880 Maybe you didn't notice us. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:08.319 Look at verse 14. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:15.359 The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses wearing pure white linen. 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.960 That's us. 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.359 Now, how do I know that it's us? 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:24.640 Well, Revelation 17, verse 14 said this: These will make war against the lamb. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:28.400 He's talking about all of these enemies with the beasts that are coming. 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:32.799 And the lamb will conquer them because he is the Lord of lords and king of kings. 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:34.559 Same phrase in our passage. 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:36.319 And who are with him? 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:40.480 Those who are called, chosen and faithful. 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:45.680 In our passage this morning, Jesus rides into battle, and who is with him? 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:49.759 Those who are called, chosen and faithful. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.960 Us. 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.799 His people. 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:56.079 Now, note how we're described. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:59.599 We're wearing pure white linen. 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:00.720 What's the point? 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:03.359 That's the very garments of Christ. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:08.079 That is Christ's purity and righteousness. 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.519 We have that. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:16.400 When we are pictured in this last day at the return of Christ, we are in the white of Jesus. 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:21.599 We are pure and righteous in Christ, and even more so. 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:24.640 Look at what else it says. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:28.240 It says, What are we riding? 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:30.960 We're white riding white horses. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.559 What's the point? 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:36.559 Well, the white horse meant that Jesus conquered and was triumphant. 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.200 What's the point? 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:40.400 We also are conquerors. 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:43.119 We are triumphant. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:47.119 See, friends, this is the picture that we have. 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:50.480 Now, why is it that we have conquered and triumphant? 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:52.240 It's because we are his. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:59.519 Because he is our glorious king, and because his victory is ours. 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:08.160 See, friends, every day we encounter all sorts of challenges, hardships, difficulties, both great and small. 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:13.519 And so often it's our inclination to respond in one of two ways. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:22.559 We either exhaustingly try to walk in our own strength, or we despair because we don't have the strength. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:26.160 Christian, are you exhausted? 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.359 Are you desperate? 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:34.960 Here's what this passage tells us see your king. 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:42.079 Know your king who is resurrected, reigning, and returning. 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:46.160 Because our king will return to conquer our every enemy. 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.440 That's the king. 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:49.440 Let's look at the conquest. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:52.720 Second point is the conquest. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:57.519 Here's what Revelation 17 through 21, or 19, 17 through 21 says. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:27:19.599 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he called out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying high overhead, Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of military commanders, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, small and great. 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:28.079 Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against his army. 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:35.119 But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with it the false prophet, who had performed the signs in its presence. 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.720 That's Revelation 13. 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:43.039 He deceived those who accepted the mark of the vo the beast and those who worshipped its image with these signs. 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:47.359 Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:51.680 The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:56.799 And all the birds ate their fill of their flesh. 00:27:58.160 --> 00:28:03.440 We're gonna get to the end part here, but to use now a title from C.S. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:06.559 Lewis, here's the last battle. 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:12.240 Here's the final battle, what many have referred to as the battle of Armageddon. 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:16.799 And it's hinted at often in this last section of Revelation. 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:18.880 It's just a few passages where we can see it. 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:24.400 Revelation 16, verses 14, it says, For they are demonic spirits performing signs. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.440 And what are they doing? 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:27.839 Who travel to the kings of the whole world? 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.319 Why? 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:32.880 To assemble them for the battle on the great day of God. 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:37.440 So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew Armageddon. 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:39.119 This is this final battle. 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:49.680 The passage we just looked at, Revelation 17, 14, remember, says, These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of Lord and King of kings. 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:53.119 Revelation 20, in the next chapter, we'll look at next week. 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:57.359 When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison. 00:28:57.519 --> 00:29:03.119 He'll go out to deceive the nations of the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magod, to do what? 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:06.079 To gather them for battle. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:17.119 Now, I know not everyone is going to agree with me, but I think every one of these passages, including Revelation 19, is pointing to the same final battle. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:20.640 And the reason I think that is because they are all so similar. 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:34.000 Each of them, first, uh, that shows either Satan or the beast or some sort of demonic force gathering the kings and nations of this world to wage war against Christ and his people. 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:44.000 But secondly, maybe under the surface a little bit, all of these accounts actually share the same Old Testament background and illusions. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:46.559 So why is Armageddon mentioned? 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.440 What does that even mean? 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:49.359 Well, it's not a Bruce Willis movie. 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:52.240 It is a place, a real place. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:30:02.720 The hills of Megiddo, which actually were sort of flat plains, that was probably one of the most well-known ancient battlefields of the day. 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:08.559 It was a place where all of the trade routes seemed to converge between east and west. 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:14.960 And because it was so flat, it actually made a perfect place for chariot warfare. 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:21.279 When you heard Armageddon, you would immediately think, oh, that is a famous, well-known battlefield. 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:29.359 But if you knew your Bible, you would also know that it was the site of two miraculous victories of the Israelites. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:36.079 Two victories in which their enemies far outmatched them, but then God showed up. 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:48.720 See, Barak over the Canaanites in Judges 4 and Gideon's victory over the Midianites in Judges 6 through 8, both of those happened in this same place of Megiddo. 00:30:48.960 --> 00:31:00.000 And so it is the perfect symbol for this final battle where God will show up to defeat a force that is far greater than his people. 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:06.240 Church, that's what we see here, but also these visions have their roots in Ezekiel 39. 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:12.960 There, the Lord actually pronounces the destruction of Magog and of its king Gog. 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:14.720 We're gonna see that in Revelation 20. 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.440 We've seen it elsewhere. 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:23.359 Gog and Magog were a real king and a real nation in ancient Assyria that we read of in the prophets. 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:28.480 But here in Revelation, much like Babylon, they're now symbolic. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:36.799 That they they point to all the enemies and uh kings and nations that oppose Jesus. 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:44.880 Now, if we begin to understand these sorts of illusions here, we can maybe start to understand the most difficult part of this passage. 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:48.799