Revelation 19:11-16 - Jesus, our victorious King

From the vision that started in the little island of Patmos, John has increasingly saw richer visions with much implication for the church and believers. And now in Revelation 19:11, he sees the whole heaven standing open and a white horse with the Faithful and True one sitting on it. Here the majority of interpreters of Revelation concur that it is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. How else could He be called, except One who is both Faithful and True? He had proven that He is worthy of this title, both in life and in His death, and of course resurrection. We are told that it is with righteousness that He judges and operates.

Here Jesus, our Lord and King, is strikingly described. His eyes are a flame of fire, again tells of His penetrating gaze that is capable of seeing every part of a person’s heart and life. On His head are many crowns. In Revelation 12:3 we saw the dragon, a figure of Satan had seven crowns. Then in Revelation 13:1, we saw the beast out of the sea with ten crowns on his ten horns. But what we see of Jesus, the rider on the white horse having many crowns, is speaking of His kingship over all kingdoms. On Him is written a personal and secret name known to Himself. Perhaps this tells us that there is much about Jesus still to be discovered by us. This secret name also tells us that that are much more about our Lord that our finite mind cannot fully plumb and fully comprehend. In verse 13, John tells us that His robe is dipped in blood from treading the wine press of God’s wrath.

Furthermore, His other name is the Word of God, the faithful and true word of God.  This is the revelation of God Himself in all wisdom. He is the divine Word. Following behind Him are the armies of heaven also riding in white horses. These heavenly hosts are also dressed in white, emphasizing both righteousness and victory. Some have suggested that these are not heavenly angels but the redeemed. But the context of a war against evil better suit that of a heavenly force than the redeemed.  

The sharp sword that came out of His mouth is again a figure of speech, depicting of His penetrating word that is sharp and able to divide between bones and marrow, soul and spirit and is the discerner of the intention of man’s heart. He shall also rule the nation with an iron sceptre signifying His character. He is dauntless, confident, just and wise in His judgement and rule decisively.

The blood in Jesus’ robe is not dipped by the blood of his enemies. It is His own blood. It’s the blood that stained His garment as He tread the winepress of God’s wrath. It is the same blood in which the martyrs have washed their robes and made them not red, but white. Also on His robe and thigh are written “King of kings and Lord of lords”. He has the ultimate power and is about to wield it.

What a marvelous Lord is Jesus! When we understand who we are serving and following and understand His victory, we know who the ultimate victory belongs to. Kingdoms can come and go, regimes can come and go, but the One forever on the throne is God and the Lord Jesus Christ! We serve the King who is faithful and true so we must also stay faithful and true as He has!