The Christ in Prophecy Journal

The Mighty Angels of Revelation 19 and the Rider on the White Horse

MP3: The Mighty Angels of Revelation 19
Hosts: Nathan Jones & Vic Batista

The White Horse

Vic Batista: Revelation 19:11-21 introduces us to what is in my opinion the most climactic scene in all of the Bible — the return of Jesus Christ! Jesus returns to earth riding a white horse out of Heaven. Verse 11 reads:

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”

Some claim that since Jesus is riding a white horse that it’s the same white horse found in Revelation 6:1.

Nathan Jones: Yes, some have concluded that, but the context and timeline of Revelation proves that Revelation 6’s rider on the white horse is the Antichrist and not Jesus Christ.

The Antichrist is the very first judgment Jesus inflicted upon the earth seven years earlier. The Lord releases the Antichrist who is portrayed as symbolically riding on a white horse. White horses symbolize victory and kingship. The Antichrist rides with a bow, but has no arrows, meaning he conquers the world first through diplomacy and peace with promises of safety.

Revelation 19’s rider on the white horse is no counterfeit Christ, He is the true rider on the white horse, the very King of Kings. Jesus Christ gallops His white war charger in His return back to the earth at the Second Coming in order to defeat evil.

Up in Heaven, from Scriptures we learn there are three events going on for believers in Christ dwelling in the heavenly realm. The first we read about earlier in Revelation 19 concerning the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Now we are seeing the preparations for Jesus Christ to return. But earlier, the third activity 2 Corinthians 5:10 explains will be the Judgment of the Just.

For the Judgment of the Just, those in Christ who were brought up to Heaven will receive judgment for their works done while alive on the earth. Jesus achieved by His death and resurrection all the saving work that had to have been accomplished for man’s salvation, so this isn’t about a judgment for being sentenced to either Heaven or Hell. This is kind of like report card time. If you got a good grade, you get your star or your dollar or whatever award. But, this is much bigger. Your rewards in Heaven involve receiving a new name, great robes, fancy crowns, and the chance to be with the Lord forever and worship Him. We’re also honored before the Father for the work that Jesus Christ did through our lives.

So those three events are the main things Scriptures reveal that are going on in Heaven for Christians: the Judgment of the Just, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and now the preparations to return with Jesus back to earth.

Vic Batista: Concerning the rewards event, we come to recognize as Christians that we don’t have to do anything to earn our salvation, for Jesus earned it for us by paying the price for our sins with His own death. Instead, we can do good deeds to earn rewards and status in Heaven, which Jesus in Matthew 6 described as “treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Nathan Jones: Right, and concerning these heavenly rewards, it’s not about us carrying around big crowns or wearing fancy robes, or even being giving ruling authority with Jesus, though we’re promised by Christ that we’ll rule and reign with Him. No, the rewards are about worshiping the Lord for what He did in us by dying on the cross for our sins and then working through our lives for His purposes. Those earthly good works turn into rewards that are seen throughout eternity. Our heavenly rewards, in truth, are our eternal acts of worship.

Our heavenly rewards, in truth, are our eternal acts of #worship. Click To Tweet

Knowing this, each of us have to ask ourselves: “What kind of good works am I doing here on this earth that I can be use to worship the Lord forever?” Will you wield a tiny tiara or a magnificent crown? What we do here on earth really matters in the eternal scheme of things.

Vic Batista: Our eternal act of worship hangs very importantly on us being faithful with everything that the Lord has entrusted to us in this life. We are to be faithful with the little He’s given us in resources and talents for proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Every time we do this for the right motives the Lord promises there will be an eternal reward.

Nathan Jones: Right, the Lord isn’t stingy when it comes to rewarding those who allow the Holy Spirit to work through them. It also isn’t just what good works we accomplish, but we have to be faithful and open to the Lord’s leading by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to reach God’s goals. That is what the reward is truly for, for it is a reward for faith. Trust in the Lord and let the Holy Spirit do His work through you. You’d be amazed at what an amazing life you can have when you let the Holy Spirit guide your life in the service of Him.

Vic Batista: Your life becomes very meaningful and you accomplish important things when you have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Life makes sense when you allow God to turn your life around and make it new, and all for His glory. We all should open your hearts to Jesus. He loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives.

And Its Rider

Nathan Jones: Revelation 19:14 reads, “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.” Who comprises these armies that are following Jesus back to earth?

Since these armies originate from Heaven, these could be angelic armies following Jesus, and I believe indeed they are in part. But, if you go back a little in the chapter to Revelation 19:8, the context so far has been the Saints: “They are arrayed in fine linens clean and bright for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the Saints.” In other words, that’s the Church! That’s you and me as believers in Christ. All Christians residing in Heaven will be following Jesus Christ back to earth at His Second Coming.

All #Christians residing in #Heaven will be following #JesusChrist back to earth at His #SecondComing. Click To Tweet

And, what a magnificent presence Jesus will be at His return. Revelation 19:11-13 describe Jesus as “one who is “called Faithful and True.” Jesus isn’t coming back in meekness and sacrifice, but “in righteousness He judges and makes war.” In appearance “His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns.” And, “He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.” As if to prove His warrior’s intent, “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.”

The One who is riding on His great white charger is all decked out in splendor. His robe will be dipped in blood, either His own to show His sacrifice on the cross or that of His enemies as they meet their demise at Armageddon.

Verse 15 continues the awe inspiring description: “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

The sword from Jesus’ mouth is His word, which has the power to strike the nations defenseless and loosen the molecular bonds of His enemies so that they dissolve before His presence. He uses that power with ferocity as He finishes the pouring out of God’s wrath. Jesus is angry! His patience with the evil of the world has passed its limit. The cup of his fury is full to overflowing.

Revelation 19:16 finishes John’s terrifying description of the returning Messiah, “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of kings, and Lord of lords.”

In all His magnificence Jesus Christ is returning. No longer is Jesus the Suffering Lamb John saw in Revelation 5, but now returns as the Conquering Lion. And all people who have accepted Jesus as Savior are going to be following Him on our own horse as we head back to earth. What a sight!

Vic Batista: The description of the return of Jesus Christ is one of the most exciting passages in all of the entire Bible. Imagine seeing Jesus riding His white horse and wearing His royal diadem. What a beautiful, marvelous scene, and believers in Christ are going to play a part in Jesus’ triumphal return!

Nathan Jones: When we talk about the return of the King, I can’t help but think of the third part of the Lord of the Ring series titled “The Return of the King.” I read that Tolkien’s story was actually written to portray the return of Jesus Christ with Aragorn’s transformation from lowly hunter to the king over all of Middle Earth. Aragorn was in that world the King of kings and the Lord of lords who returned to his homeland to conquer and reign. Jesus’ armies are not comprised of ghosts and dwarves and elves, but of angels and saints.

How interesting that Christ’s armies are not there to fight Jesus’ enemies, but just to witness Jesus’ victory as He takes them all on all by Himself!

In the fifty-sixth segment of our series “The Mighty Angels of Revelation,” we will be blinded by an angel standing in the sun!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

RELATED ARTICLES

ABOUT AUTHOR View all posts Author Website

Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

LEAVE A REPLY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *