"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." -- (Rev. 19:13)
Background Reading:
The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ - Part 2
"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood" -- The robe that Jesus is wearing to enter the Battle of Armageddon is splattered with blood. The blood on the vesture could not have come from the Battle of Armageddon because John sees Christ coming from heaven just before the Battle begins. Thus, the blood must be seen as having come from previous fights.
When most Christians think of blood associated with Christ, they immediately think of the cross. Therefore, it is possible that the vesture dipped in blood refers to Christ's sacrifice on the cross where He died to pay the penalty for the sins of His chosen people. In addition, Pastor MacArthur in his sermon The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ - Part 2 sees the blood as also being the blood that came from previous battles where Jesus fought for His chosen people.
At what other times has Jesus entered into battle for His chosen people? To answer that question, it is important to recognize that references to "The Angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament refer to Jesus. Many times in the Old Testament The Angel of the Lord entered into battle for the Jewish people. When the Assyrian soldiers came down to invade Judah, "the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses." (Isa. 37:36). When the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt, Christ was with them as they went out and fought battles as it is written, "all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; ,,, And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (1 Cor. 10:1,4). Thus, some of the blood on the clothes of Christ can be seen as blood from previous battles.
"and his name is called The Word of God" -- "The Word of God" is a familiar title for Christ and is found most prominently at the beginning of the Gospel of John. Many Christians know the verse by heart, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1). The Gospel of John also states the important truth that, "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us". (John 1:14). Jesus is "the brightness of [God's] glory, and the express image of [God's] person". (Heb 1:3). Therefore, Jesus is "The Word of God" in the sense that He is God in human form and is the expression of God to the people on earth. It is written that, "No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." (John 1:18).
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Friday, March 12, 2004
"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." -- (Rev. 19:12)
Background Reading:
The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ -- Part 1
The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ -- Part 2
"His eyes were as a flame of fire" -- This expression relates the fact that Jesus has penetrating and consuming vision, that He watches every event on earth, and that He knows even the thoughts of men. Hebrews 4:13 explains that He sees everything: "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." The truth of His penetrating sight is also stated in Psalm 33:13-15, where it is written, "The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works."
It is important to understand that Jesus knows even our inner thoughts because He will judge men even for their sinful thoughts. Remember that in Rev. 19:11 it states that Jesus judges in righteousness. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds the reader that, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Ecc. 12:14). Paul writes the same thing in Romans stating that God, "will render to every man according to his deeds", and that, "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ". (Rom 2:6, 16).
Knowing that Jesus sees everything, even the secrets of our hearts, how should we respond? The writer of Ecclesiastes puts it this way, "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecc. 12:13). In Acts, Paul tells his listeners to repent, saying that God, "commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31).
"and on his head were many crowns" -- The image of Christ coming back to earth with many crowns on His head demonstrates that He is King. Indeed, He is the King of the entire universe and when He returns, He will take the crowns from every earthly king and He will be the sole ruler of the world. The name on His robe is "KING OF KINGS". (Rev. 19:16).
This is a good image of His second coming to contrast with the image of His first coming to earth. When Jesus was to be crucified, the roman soldiers, "platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands." (John 19:2-3). Pilate presented Jesus to the Jews saying, "Behold your King!", but they cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him." (John 19:14-15). When Pilate asked Jesus, "Art thou a king then?", Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." (John 18:37).
"and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself" -- This verse reminds the reader that there are some things that God does not reveal to His people. In Deuteronomy 29:29, it is written that, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." This should not trouble His people because He has given them "all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" so that they know everything they need to know to be sure that they have eternal life. (2 Pet. 1:3).
Background Reading:
The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ -- Part 1
The Glorious Return of Jesus Christ -- Part 2
"His eyes were as a flame of fire" -- This expression relates the fact that Jesus has penetrating and consuming vision, that He watches every event on earth, and that He knows even the thoughts of men. Hebrews 4:13 explains that He sees everything: "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." The truth of His penetrating sight is also stated in Psalm 33:13-15, where it is written, "The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works."
It is important to understand that Jesus knows even our inner thoughts because He will judge men even for their sinful thoughts. Remember that in Rev. 19:11 it states that Jesus judges in righteousness. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds the reader that, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Ecc. 12:14). Paul writes the same thing in Romans stating that God, "will render to every man according to his deeds", and that, "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ". (Rom 2:6, 16).
Knowing that Jesus sees everything, even the secrets of our hearts, how should we respond? The writer of Ecclesiastes puts it this way, "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecc. 12:13). In Acts, Paul tells his listeners to repent, saying that God, "commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31).
"and on his head were many crowns" -- The image of Christ coming back to earth with many crowns on His head demonstrates that He is King. Indeed, He is the King of the entire universe and when He returns, He will take the crowns from every earthly king and He will be the sole ruler of the world. The name on His robe is "KING OF KINGS". (Rev. 19:16).
This is a good image of His second coming to contrast with the image of His first coming to earth. When Jesus was to be crucified, the roman soldiers, "platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands." (John 19:2-3). Pilate presented Jesus to the Jews saying, "Behold your King!", but they cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him." (John 19:14-15). When Pilate asked Jesus, "Art thou a king then?", Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." (John 18:37).
"and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself" -- This verse reminds the reader that there are some things that God does not reveal to His people. In Deuteronomy 29:29, it is written that, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." This should not trouble His people because He has given them "all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" so that they know everything they need to know to be sure that they have eternal life. (2 Pet. 1:3).
Thursday, March 11, 2004
"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." -- (Rev. 19:11)
When will the Millennial Kingdom begin on earth?
One of the most instructive Bible passages concerning the Millennial Kingdom is found in Revelation 19:11 - 20:15. From that passage, it is evident that the Millennial Kindom begins on earth right after the battle of Armageddon. In Revelation 19:11, the Lord Jesus Christ comes from heaven to begin His reign on earth.
"And I saw heaven opened" -- John writes that Jesus Christ returns to the earth from heaven. This is exactly the sequence described to the apostles in Acts chapter 1. In Acts 1, just before Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection, the apostles were gathered together with Him and asked Him, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). Thus, the apostles demonstrated that they were expecting the Messiah to reign from Israel. Jesus responded, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." (Acts 1:7). With that statement, Jesus affirmed that He would indeed restore again the kingdom to Israel, but that no one knows the time when the Kingdom will be established except God the Father. (cf. Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32).
After Jesus was taken up into heaven, the apostles looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up. Then, two angels appeared and said to the apostles, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11). Thus, the description from John that, "I saw heaven opened", fits perfectly with the prophecy that Jesus will return to earth from heaven just as he went up into heaven.
(For further study, note that in Acts 1:12, Jesus went up to heaven from the mount called Olivet and that in Zechariah 14:4 when Jesus returns He shall stand on the mount of Olives.)
"and behold a white horse" -- Jesus is pictured as coming from heaven riding upon a white horse. It is interesting to note the contrast between the Lord's entry on a white horse and His previous triumphal entry into Jerusalem during His first coming to earth when He rode on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Matt. 21:5). At the triumphal entry, the crowd took palm branches and went out to meet Jesus, saying, "Blessed is the King of Israel!" (John 12:13). They were acknowledging that Jesus is the King of Israel and were expecting Him to begin His earthly kingdom at that time. However, the crowd failed to realize that it was first necessary for the Christ to die for the sins of everyone who would believe in Him and to be resurrected three days later. Jesus will come a second time, this time on a "white horse", and again it should be said, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming".
(For further study, note the symbolism in the color "white" and how it represents holiness and peace.)
"and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True" -- The Lord Jesus Christ is described here as "Faithful and True". This statement calls to mind many of the statements made in the Bible relating to Christ. Indeed, Christ Himself stated, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). The very act of His second coming will demonstrate to the world that He is true to His word and that He is Faithful to His chosen people. In the book of Isaiah, it is written that once the Jews have returned to Israel during the Millennial Kingdom that, "thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me." (Isaiah 49:23). Thus, God will demonstrate to His people that He remains Faithful to them even when they have been unfaithful.
"and in righteousness he doth judge and make war" -- This statement demonstrates that Jesus returns to make war with all the unrighteous inhabitants of the earth who have gathered together for the battle of armageddon. Note that Jesus judges in righteousness. Jesus will come back in that day to fight for His chosen people and to establish His kingdom on earth.
When will the Millennial Kingdom begin on earth?
One of the most instructive Bible passages concerning the Millennial Kingdom is found in Revelation 19:11 - 20:15. From that passage, it is evident that the Millennial Kindom begins on earth right after the battle of Armageddon. In Revelation 19:11, the Lord Jesus Christ comes from heaven to begin His reign on earth.
"And I saw heaven opened" -- John writes that Jesus Christ returns to the earth from heaven. This is exactly the sequence described to the apostles in Acts chapter 1. In Acts 1, just before Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection, the apostles were gathered together with Him and asked Him, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). Thus, the apostles demonstrated that they were expecting the Messiah to reign from Israel. Jesus responded, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." (Acts 1:7). With that statement, Jesus affirmed that He would indeed restore again the kingdom to Israel, but that no one knows the time when the Kingdom will be established except God the Father. (cf. Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32).
After Jesus was taken up into heaven, the apostles looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up. Then, two angels appeared and said to the apostles, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11). Thus, the description from John that, "I saw heaven opened", fits perfectly with the prophecy that Jesus will return to earth from heaven just as he went up into heaven.
(For further study, note that in Acts 1:12, Jesus went up to heaven from the mount called Olivet and that in Zechariah 14:4 when Jesus returns He shall stand on the mount of Olives.)
"and behold a white horse" -- Jesus is pictured as coming from heaven riding upon a white horse. It is interesting to note the contrast between the Lord's entry on a white horse and His previous triumphal entry into Jerusalem during His first coming to earth when He rode on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Matt. 21:5). At the triumphal entry, the crowd took palm branches and went out to meet Jesus, saying, "Blessed is the King of Israel!" (John 12:13). They were acknowledging that Jesus is the King of Israel and were expecting Him to begin His earthly kingdom at that time. However, the crowd failed to realize that it was first necessary for the Christ to die for the sins of everyone who would believe in Him and to be resurrected three days later. Jesus will come a second time, this time on a "white horse", and again it should be said, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming".
(For further study, note the symbolism in the color "white" and how it represents holiness and peace.)
"and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True" -- The Lord Jesus Christ is described here as "Faithful and True". This statement calls to mind many of the statements made in the Bible relating to Christ. Indeed, Christ Himself stated, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). The very act of His second coming will demonstrate to the world that He is true to His word and that He is Faithful to His chosen people. In the book of Isaiah, it is written that once the Jews have returned to Israel during the Millennial Kingdom that, "thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me." (Isaiah 49:23). Thus, God will demonstrate to His people that He remains Faithful to them even when they have been unfaithful.
"and in righteousness he doth judge and make war" -- This statement demonstrates that Jesus returns to make war with all the unrighteous inhabitants of the earth who have gathered together for the battle of armageddon. Note that Jesus judges in righteousness. Jesus will come back in that day to fight for His chosen people and to establish His kingdom on earth.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
This Blog will be dedicated to examining Bible passages and verses related to the Millennial Kingdom. The MacArthur Study Bible notes that, "Premillennialism sees this as a literal 1,000 year period during which Jesus Christ, in fulfillment of numerous OT prophecies, reigns on the earth." (note on Rev. 20:2).
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