The gloves are off, the gauntlet has been thrown down, and the Jews are safe in their place protected by God. Babylon has been destroyed, the Euphrates has dried up, and the armies of the world have gathered in the Valley of Megiddo. The time in which Jesus himself told us “and except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved…” (Matt. 24:22a) has finally come. The moment that all of creation has waited for since Adam took that bite in the forbidden fruit has come: the bodily return of Jesus Christ to the earth.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is easily the most exciting event in the history of humanity. This event is so anticipated that Paul tells us in Romans that even the plants, animals, and the earth itself are even today groaning and travailing in anticipation of Christ’s Kingdom (Romans 8:19-23). In His first coming He came as Servant and Savior; in His return, He will come as King and Judge.
Both the Old and New Testament speak of a literal, physical, and visible return of Jesus Christ to the earth. This return was one of the first recorded prophecies given to man, Enoch the seventh from Adam (Jude 14&15), and it is the last message of the Bible (Revelation 22:20). The majority of prophecy (which is 20% of the Bible) is about this very event. There are actually many times more references to this event in the Old Testament than the first coming of Christ. The world has waited, the world is ready…how and when will it happen?
The Final Moments of Sinful Earth
Matthew 24:29-30 – Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
It will happen exactly 7 years from the unholy alliance between Antichrist and Israel, because He says “immediately after the Tribulation of those days”. Many believe it will happen 7 years after the Rapture, but again the Rapture does not begin the Tribulation, the treaty between Antichrist & Israel does (Daniel 9:27). At this time, the lights will go out on the earth, because the sun and moon will be darkened. Why this happens is likely so that no other light will take away the attention or glory from Jesus. The stars will fall from the sky. These stars could be the hail that we saw described in Revelation 16:21, but it likely just means that they also will no longer shine. Along with this, the largest earthquake the world has ever seen will occur (Revelation 16:18). As we saw, this will divide the ruins of Babylon into three parts, it will destroy all major cities, and all islands and mountains will disappear. The powers of the heavens shall be shaken is a reference to what will happen with the sun, moon, and stars and how they will be effected by the power of Jesus. When the sky is dark, the sign of Jesus will appear in the sky. No one knows what this sign is or what it will look like, but it’s obvious that it will be plainly seen. This will signal to all that the imminent return of Jesus is upon them. Those who are ready will rejoice, but those who are not will mourn. They are the tribes of the earth because they are worldly in their thoughts and process. We will see Jesus
come in the clouds with power and great glory.
Revelation 19:11 – And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
When He appears, He will be riding a white horse. This is in stark contrast to his triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before his crucifixion (John 12:1-15). Then, He rode in on the lowliest of beasts, a donkey, and came as a knowing and willing sacrifice. He came as a servant to Jerusalem prepared to drink of the cup given to Him by God. This time He rides in as a king would, on a white horse, prepared to rule. This is different than the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6. That man came on a white horse also as a king, but his kingdom brought death, destruction, and persecution. Christ’s kingdom will bring life, peace, and perfection. He is called Faithful and True because He is the only thing totally faithful and true, always. This is opposite of what the world has faced for the last 7 years with the Antichrist, the master deceiver. Also, the prophecies of Jesus will fully be revealed as faithful and true. When He comes, He comes to judge in righteousness because He is the righteous warrior. The world has only known war in its existence, and most wars have been solely for selfish reasons. He comes to stop all this. His battle is fully righteous and will end all war.
Revelation 19:12 – His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
His eyes are flames of fire because he sees and judges all. He has many crowns on His head because He will rule all nations, and He will come with all authority. He has a name written on Him no man knows because He is God, and full of glory. Even in heaven, we cannot fathom Him completely.
Revelation 19:13 – And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
He wears a robe dipped in blood which represents the bloodshed that He brings to his enemies. His name is the Word of God. This, just as in John 1, is from the Greek “logos” literally meaning “the expression”. John is the only writer who uses this word to describe Jesus, therefore showing that this is Jesus. At this time, every eye shall see Him. (Revelation 1:7 – Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.) Everyone in heaven, hell, and on the earth will witness His return.
Matthew 24:31 – And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
He will gather all of His people. Some believe that this refers to a second rapture of either the Old Testament, or Tribulation Saints to meet in heaven, prepare for battle, and come back to earth with Christ. Without being dogmatic, I’ll give you my opinion. I believe, at this trumpet, all the believers around the world will be called together at Edom to join the Lord’s army. I believe it is a type of Rapture, but not one that takes people to Heaven.
Revelation 19:14 – And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
He is accompanied by a heavenly army who ride white horses also. They are coming to rule with him (Revelation 1:6a – And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father). They wear white linen which symbolizes righteousness. This army consists of angels, Old Testament saints, the church, and martyred Tribulation saints.
Revelation 19:15 – And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword. His word is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), so the only weapon used to destroy the armies of the world is the Word of God. As He speaks, men will fall. He will rule this world with a rod of iron. He is coming to bring the earth back to an Edenic, perfect state. When it is accomplished, this will usher in His Kingdom. The winepress is referring to Revelation 14:17-20. We will review and explain this in the next post.
Revelation 19:16 – And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
He has another name written on His robe and his thigh, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. A warrior goes into battle with a weapon on his thigh, but instead of a weapon, His thigh will contain His name in which there is great power.
He will battle the armies of Antichrist at four locations. The details will be viewed next post.
- Edom (Isaiah 63:1-6) – He will pick up and rescue the Jews from their refuge and bring them with Him.
- The Valley of Megiddo (Revelation 16:12-16)
- The Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:1-2, 9-17)
- Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-9)
Then, He will finally set foot on earth at the exact place from which he left; the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:3-5). When He does, the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west. It is interesting to note that many seismologists say that there is a natural fault already in the middle of the mount, which at the time of this writing couldn’t have been known.
The term Glorious Appearing is never used by John in Revelation. It is used though by Paul in Titus 2:13 when he says “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ“. To those on the earth who have not accepted Christ as their Savior, this will not be a Glorious Appearing, but it will be a wretched curse. They will have missed the greatest truth, made perfectly plain for the last 7 years, and they will face eternal damnation. The blessed hope Paul speaks of in this verse is the Rapture. We all have an opportunity to be spared these seven years today by accepting Jesus as our personal Savior. If you haven’t and don’t, the blessed hope of the church will lead to the worst seven years the world has ever, and will ever face. Will it take the Rapture and the Tribulation to get your attention, or has God already gotten your attention? If He is just now getting it, please, make the decision to be His child before it is too late. Please, e-mail me at revolvearoundchrist@yahoo.com if you would like more information about this.
Until next time…God Bless!!
Free By Christ 