The Word of God in Revelation 19 by John.

The Word of God in Revelation 19.
Rev. 19:1-16

1. The Book of Revelations is a series of dramatic pictures. At times it is almost kaleidoscopic as we travel through it. Even though we may never fully understand it, it is a wonderful Book to read.
2. In the 17th chapter, verse 13, 14, the ten kings of earth will back the beast in his war against the Lamb of God.
3. In 18:1, God sends a mighty angel with a proclamation of the outcome of the battle. It starts off in v 2 with, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great!.”
4. We almost have to read the whole thing to get the tenor of what is happening. If we miss the sudden sweep of events in the midst of business as usual, we will miss a lot of what is being said here.
5. In the movie about George Armstrong Custer’s last battle at Big Horn, I was impressed with the hordes of mounted Indians coming from all directions. There could be no doubt of the outcome of that battle.
6. Neither can there be any doubt about the outcome of this battle led by the Lamb of God!
7. By the way, He is pictured first in Revelation as the Living Lord in charge of everything, then He appears as a Slain Lamb that is alive! Now He appears as the Victorious Lamb of God!

I. The Word of God is revealed in regal splendor

1. In v 9, an angel cries out, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” and he added, “These are the true words of God.”
2. V 10 is a significant statement, “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
(1) True prophecy does not glorify either the prophet or the Holy Spirit. It embodies Jesus!
(2) True prophecy has a message for the first people who hear it.
(3) It may also refer to another time and other people.It will be just as true the second time, and as exact, as it was the first time.
3. When someone prophesies, refuse it if it does not glorify Jesus and work for the good of His true disciples!
4. Now back to Jesus in v 11, a horseman appears!
(1) The horse is white, indicating the royalty of the rider.
(2) As he approaches, He is called “Faithful!” and “True!”
(3) He judges and makes war with justice! (This is a real Holy War!)
(4) He wears many crowns!
(5) V 12, He has a name that he alone knows.
(6) V 13, His robe is red! It was dipped in blood!
5. His name is the Word of God!

II. He is the Royal Commander of God’s Armies. V 14.

1. He is not the docile, feminine person pictured in most artist’s ideas of Jesus.
2. He rides at the forefront of God’s armies dressed in fine linen indicating. His purity.
3. V 15, Our minds boggle when it comes to picturing Jesus with a sharp sword coming out of His mouth.
(1) It reminds us that Hebrews 4:12 says, The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
(2) He is also pictured with the double-edged sword extending from His mouth in Revelation 1:16.
(3) This reveals four things about His power:
a. His hands are not needed in battle.
b. The only weapons He uses are spoken words.
c. His words are more powerful than anything any created being has ever used or seen!
d. He is unconcerned about being in danger. He is all-powerful!
4. While the battle rages, He retains His Personal Cleanliness and Purity!
(1) He is not like modern soldiers with camouflage clothing, wrinkled and dirty from the hardship they endure while in battle.
(2) His enemies are so beneath Him that He never even shows having worked at all!
5. When the battle is over, He rules with a rod of iron! The iron refers to His rightful authority and His strength.
6. The fact that He rules tells us that His conquered enemies are the souls of people and the other created beings. Their bodies died, but their souls still exist.
7. Vv. 19-21 describes what happens.
(1) The beast and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of burning sulphur.
(2) Those who followed and worshiped them are destroyed by the Word of His mouth!

III. In Every Age Jesus Conquers!

1. This event that John saw taking place is not the final end.
2. In chapter 20, the devil is thrown into the lake of burning sulphur with the beast and the false prophet. (Isn’t it a coincidence that there are three of the evil ones? Just like there are three in the Godhead? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? That may be intentional).
3. I believe with all my heart that the over-arching message of Revelation is about God’s Son Jesus, and His constant and eternal victory over evil.
4. Our present day may seem bleak and dismal. It may seem as if the Sadaam Huseins, and the Adolph Hitlers of the world are winning the war, but they only win minor skirmishes., and wars are made up of many skirmishes and battles.
5. Jesus constantly and consistently wins the entire war!
6. He always conquers the enemies of God, no matter how tough, no matter how intelligent, no matter how cunning, Jesus wins without even soiling His clothing!

Conclusion:

1. What a magnificent view of God we have right here.
2. In Revelation, Jesus first appears clothed in power and purity and in control of the churches.
3. Then He appears as the Lamb that was slain as described in Isaiah 53.
4. He appears as the slain Lamb of God who lives and rides at the head of God’s conquering armies!
5. He has no need for a sword, or an atomic bomb in His hands. He is the Living Word, and no evil can withstand the Word of His mouth.
6. It’s wonderful to be a Christian, to know that we have nothing to fear, to be aware that God’s Word to us is, I love you!
7. When you look at Jesus, not as He is in artist’s pictures, but as He is revealed by the prophet John, how do you feel about your own future?
8. You can rejoice in Jesus! Put your trust in Him right now as we pray!

ECC 12/4/2005