Bible Study: The Return of the king
Revelation 19:11-21
Click here to read the passage.
Click here to read the notes and questions for Revelation 19:1-10.
We can break down Jesus’ life into seven major events — and we are now at No. 7 in the grand narrative of his story:
The incarnation, when the Word became flesh.
His baptism, where he was immersed by John, anointed by the Spirit, and declared by his Father to be the Messiah.
His temptation in the wilderness for 40 days, where he accepted his destiny as a suffering servant Messiah.
His crucifixion on the cross, where he bore the wrath of God and paid the full penalty of sin providing salvation for all who would trust in him.
His bodily resurrection, whereby God declared his acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice and victory over death, hell, Satan and sin.
His ascension back to heaven, where he intercedes for us at God’s right hand and reigns as Lord and King.
His second coming, where He will establish his universal and cosmic reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Revelation 19:11-21 opens with a vision sequence (“heaven opened”) that shows the last battle between Christ and the forces of evil, resulting in their defeat and destruction. This passage shows the fulfillment of the single greatest promise of history: the return of Christ to reign on earth.
Here are the specifics of Christ’s second coming:
It will be personal
It will be historical
It will be visible
It will be physical
It will be victorious
It will be cosmic in its benefits
Pastor John Piper says, “The second coming is like lightning and vultures” and “will be globally unmistakable. It will be as publicly unmistakable as lightning.”
Pastor Chuck Swindoll says the long-awaited Battle of Armageddon will be a disappointment to those expecting a good fight because it will be over in a flash.
“Let’s cut to the chase: Before anybody on earth can utter the word ‘Armageddon,’ the battle will be over. When God determines the end has come, it’s curtains,” Swindoll said.
From Bible teacher John Philips:
“There will be no war at all, in the sense that we think of war. There will be just a word spoken from him who sits astride the great white horse. Once he spoke a word to a fig tree, and it withered away. Once he spoke a word to howling winds and heaving waves, and the storm clouds vanished and the waves fell still. Once he spoke to a legion of demons bursting at the seams of a poor man’s soul, and instantly they fled. Now he speaks a word, and the war is over. The blasphemous, loud-mouthed Beast is stricken where he stands. The false prophet, the miracle-working windbag from the pit is punctured and still.… Another word, and the panic-stricken armies reel and stagger and fall down dead. Field marshals and generals, admirals and air commanders, soldiers and sailors, rank and file, one and all—they fall. And the vultures descend and cover the scene.”
Here is an outline of Revelation 19:11-21
King Jesus will return in glory and power (19:11-16).
King Jesus will judge all who rejected him (19:17-18).
King Jesus will defeat the enemies who oppose him (19:19-21).
Questions
Discuss the differences between Jesus’ first and second comings. Why did he not come in majesty and power the first time?
Verse 12 says that Jesus “has a name written that no one knows except Himself.” That indicates that we can never exhaustively know and understand him. How has your knowledge of Christ grown the longer you have walked with him?
The rider is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God (Verse 13). What is the significance of the robe being dipped in blood? How does this imagery connect to the overall message of salvation and judgment in Revelation?
Why do the armies accompany Jesus in Revelation 19:14 if they are not going to fight with him?
In Verses 17-18, an angel calls to the birds to gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, generals and mighty men. What is the meaning of this imagery? How does this “great supper” contrast with the marriage supper of the Lamb mentioned in Revelation 19:9?
How do unbelievers try to escape the judgment of God? What tactics do people employ to absolve themselves of their sin?