By The Rev. Ron Pukey
Guest Columnist

Read: Revelation 19:1-21

“I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

The Rev. Ron Purkey

First, the armies of Christ will come from Heaven (Revelation 19:11-16). In Revelation 4:1, heaven opens to let the church in; but here, heaven opens to let Christ and his armies ride forth in victory

At his trial, Christ said that the father could send legions of angels to deliver him; and here the Lord rides forth with the armies of glory: the Old Testament saints, the church, and the angels (Matthew 25:31; 1 Thessalonians 3:13).

In 6:1, the Antichrist had ridden on a white horse, imitating Christ, but here the “Faithful and True” (verse 11) rides forth to judge and make war (Psalm 45).

This description of Christ is thrilling! He is no longer on a humble donkey, but on a fiery white charger. His eyes are not filled with tears as when he beheld Jerusalem; nor is he wearing a mocking crown of thorns.

Instead of being stripped by His enemies, he wears a garment dipped in blood, signifying judgment and victory. When on earth, he was abandoned by his followers; but here the armies of heaven follow him in conquest.

His mouth does not speak “words of grace” (Luke 4:22), but rather the word of victory and justice. See Isaiah 11:4. He comes to rule with a rod of iron (Psalm 2).

He comes not to bear the wrath of God on the cross, but to tread the winepress of God’s wrath at the Battle of Armageddon. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Remember, the armies of the east have gathered in Palestine to oppose the Beast and his armies. But, when they see the sign of the son of man in the heavens, they will all unite to oppose Christ. Read again Revelation 16:12-16 and 14:14-20.

Second, the announcement of judgment on Earth (Revelation19:17-21). The angel announces that the armies of earth will lose the battle. In fact, there will not be much of a battle, for Christ will destroy his enemies instantly (2 Thessalonians 1).

Notice the repetition of the word “flesh” in this section, signifying that mankind is only flesh and can never successfully fight against God. “Flesh” has been the source of trouble since the fall of Adam.

Flesh does not change; God has condemned flesh; flesh can never please God. How foolish for flesh to fight against Christ! Even “kings, captains, and mighty men” (verse 18) are no match for the King of Kings.

Christ will destroy the armies with the word, the sword that comes from his mouth (Hebrews 4:12). Men would not bow to his word and receive the Gospel; now they must be slain by that same word. Christ not only destroys the armies of the beast, He also takes Satan and casts him into the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1-3). See also Isaiah 63, Zecheriah 14, and Joel 2-3.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.