“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him…” (Revelation 1:7)
The Rapture will bring an end to the Church Age, and the Tribulation that quickly follows ensues on Earth. For every born-again believer in Jesus Christ (living and dead), the Rapture is the imminent Blessed Hope we eagerly await.
But there is still more to come after we have “shuffled off this mortal coil” and been transformed in the twinkling of an eye. As every showman would say, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”
Perhaps that is a bit flippant and brash, for certainly Jesus’ coming for His Bride and our welcome into the Father’s house are what Hamlet also described as “a consummation devoutly to be wished.” The Rapture itself represents a clear and looming delineation between those who will meet Jesus in the air and those who will be left behind to suffer as God’s wrath is poured out.
Let us turn our attention to the next great prophesied intersection of Heaven and Earth as described in Revelation 19:11-16—the Second Coming.
Heaven Opened
There are multiple instances recorded in Scripture when God sent angelic messengers to interact with people on Earth. There are also clear Christophanies recorded in the Old Testament, when there can be little doubt that the Son of God appeared in pre-incarnate form. Others would argue that the Father Himself offered glimpses of His Shekinah glory to select Old Testament saints.
In other rare instances, throngs of angelic beings were visible to mortal men and women—either in dreams like Jacob’s or as part of the heavenly choir the shepherds around Bethlehem saw and heard. But never before has Heaven thrown wide its gates for its glorified population to descend to Earth en masse. That is what John describes in Revelation 19. Yet the focal point of John’s narrative is not the saintly army; it is the King who rides forth at the head of that throng.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sits on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; having a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself, and being clothed with a garment dipped in blood, His name is also called The Word of God (Revelation 19:11–13).
In this scene, Jesus is not depicted as a suffering Servant or a gentle Lamb. He appears as a mighty Warrior—the royal Lion of Judah. His majesty and glory are fully manifested in His appearance, and His anger toward the rebellious and grace-rejecting world is evidenced by His fiery eyes and readiness to wage war.
I have recounted this scene multiple times, but I always thrill to read this passage while standing on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Eastern Gate in Jerusalem. That is because I can see all this action taking place in my mind’s eye. I can practically hear the thunder of hooves as Jesus leads His vast army back to Earth to establish His promised reign. And I am overwhelmed to realize that I will be a part of that glorious throng.
Knights in White Linen
In medieval times, knights wore elaborate suits of armor. Not only did the heavy metal garments provide a measure of protection against swords, spears, and arrows, but they conveyed a status and stature that came with the title.
Glorified saints will have no need for such defensive attire. Instead of heavy armor, we will be clothed in “fine linen, white and clean” and riding white horses. Evangelist Don Perkins likes to tell folks that he has already picked out a name for his horse—Nellie! I will readily admit that although I hail from horse country (Kentucky), my experience with horses is pitifully limited and decidedly mixed.
I still have no doubt that the horse I will ride will be as magnificent as Black Beauty, as swift as Secretariat, and as faithful and smart as Silver. No rider will be thrown that day as we follow our Commander back to Earth. And even our own raiment will remain unsoiled.
The fine linen itself represents the righteous deeds of the saints. In other words, after all the wood, hay, and stubble in our lives are burned away, only gold and precious stones will remain. I have long said that I hope my righteous deeds will produce enough fine linen to cover me properly. Yet even those righteous deeds credited to me will be a reflection of the righteousness Christ enables me to exhibit. In other words, the credit even for those righteous acts will bring glory to Him.
Yet, not every garment in that vast array will be unbesmirched. One will be forever stained blood-red.
Christ’s Everlasting Glory
Although He will purify His saints, wiping away their tears and forgetting their sins (of commission and omission) forever, Christ will always bear the evidence of His great love and sacrifice.
We are told that after His resurrection, Jesus invited Thomas to put his finger into His hands and his hand into His side (John 20:27). Even in His glorified body, those manifestations of the agony Jesus suffered on the Cross were still evident—not because they were marks of shame or lingering pain, but because they continued to testify to His glory.
The same is true of the robe He will wear as He leads His army forth from Heaven. The Anointed One whom John described as the Word—who was with God and was God from the beginning—will wear a robe dipped in blood. Some have speculated that this blood represents reprobate blood spilled as judgments were poured out during the Tribulation, as described in Isaiah 63:1-3. But as Jesus returns to Earth in glory (to personally tread the winepress of God’s wrath), I am convinced that this represents His own blood—shed for the forgiveness of sins as He endured the wrath of God on the Cross.
While I look forward to wearing clothes that are unblemished, the indelible stains on Jesus’ own garments should remind us that in this life, even our wounds and scars can testify to His grace. Do you have a thorn like Paul’s? I do, but His grace is sufficient. Do you bear evidence of bumps and bruises that He has helped you overcome? More evidence of His faithfulness as you persevere. Are the signs of age and mileage more obvious each day in your body of corruption? These too bear testimony to His steadfast provision—and the anticipated promise of your homegoing.
Just remember the testimony of Joseph: what was meant by Satan and his unwitting minions for evil against you, God has orchestrated for good (Genesis 50:20). Or, as Paul explained, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
In the second and final part, we will witness the Warrior King come to His throne in glory and reign!
