Revelation 19:11-16

Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 63

Text Revelation 19:11-16

11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself. 13 And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure. 15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fireceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Initial Questions Revelation 19:11-16

1.

What do the names of the rider of the white horse (Faithful and True) signify about His character - Revelation 19:11?

2.

Discuss the imagery of righteous judgment and war in Revelation 19:11.

3.

What is a diadem - Revelation 19:12?

4.

Where, besides Revelation 19:13, is the name word of God or just Word (in reference to Christ) found?

5.

Who makes up the army following the rider upon the white horse - Revelation 19:14?

6.

Where else do we find the descriptive phrases clothed in fine linen, white and pure - Revelation 19:14? To whom do these descriptions refer?

7.

Where else do we read of a sharp sword in the N.T. - Revelation 19:15? What is the function of this sharp sword?

8.

Who is this victor leading the victorious according to Revelation 19:16?

Revelation 19:11

Beginning in this verse and continuing to the final shout - Come Lord Jesus, John is led by the spirit to speak to the triumph of Christ. We have passed through the sections of gloom and despair; now we turn to hope and victory. We have now passed through the valley of darkness. The triumphant warrior leads the great host of the redeemed. The imagery comes from Isaiah 63:1-3 and Psalms 2, etc. The action is taking place in heaven and not on the earth. The rider of the white horse is going to judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11-16 reveal the Conquering Christ.)

Revelation 19:12

Some of the imagery in this verse is also used in Revelation 1:14. He wears many crowns implying his vast rule.

Revelation 19:13

The rider of the white horse is identified by His name - the Word of God (see Special Study on The Titles for Christ in The Revelation - of the Word of God). John has already declared in his Gospel record that In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. (the Greek text has the last clause instead of the Word was God.). And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we behold his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. (John 1:1; John 1:14) In the Gospel record, Christ is the absolute Word, and here the title is qualified - Word of God!

Revelation 19:14

The followers of The Word of God are now mentioned. They are pure and holy, because He is the source and cause of their righteousness. The army of Christ followed (ekolouthei - imperfect tense - signifying progressive following or following Him where soever He goes) Him. Their purpose and power were obtained from Him.

Revelation 19:15

John uses descriptive imagery which is also found in Hebrews 4:12-13. Out of the mouth of the Word of God proceeds (continually proceeds) a sharp sword in order that (hina - purpose) he may smite the nations with it; and he will shepherd (or oversee them. This is one of the N.T. terms for Elder;) them with an iron staff;... This is a paradoxical symbol - an iron staff! The last clause of this verse is one of the sources for some of the imagery in The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Revelation 19:16

Christ has one name which is known only to Himself; He is known as the Word of God by His followers; and He has this third name which is recorded on His garment and on his thigh-King of kings and Lord of lords. (See Special Study on Titles for Christ under this name.) This name is descriptive of His sovereign control in the universe. He is King (Ruler) over all the rulers of the earth; and His lordship extends in order to encompass the demands of every human lordship. We have here the cosmic King and Lord! (See Acts 10:36He is Lord of all. All is neuter, meaning all things or a Cosmic Lordship.)

Note: The Revelation of Christ Revelation 19:11-16

1.

Christ's description, Revelation 19:11-13; Revelation 19:15-16

2.

Christ's followers, Revelation 19:14

3.

Christ's Acts 19:11; Acts 19:15-16.

Discussion Questions

See Revelation 19:17-21.