The Man on the White Horse

Lesson 8 The Man on the White Horse

Revelation 19:11 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.

Introduction:

The next prophetic event for believers is the rapture of the church, followed by a seven-year time of tribulation culminating in the return of Christ. The tribulation is dominated by three sets of seven judgments – the seal, trumpet, and bowl (vial) judgments, during which millions of persons will receive Christ, half of the world’s population will be killed, and most believers during this time will be executed by the world system under antichrist and the false prophet. Jesus Christ will return for believers at the rapture, and He will return with believers at the end of the tribulation. During the time of tribulation on earth, the believers will be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ and participate in the marriage of the Lamb in heaven.

The description of Christ:

At His first coming, Jesus was born in poverty to a poor peasant woman. He worked until age 30 as a carpenter, and then became an itinerate prophet and healer with a small group of disciples. His favorite name was “the son of Man.” He entered Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecy as he rode a donkey. He died a shameful death by crucifixion, but was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven. When he was challenged by the High Priest if he was the Son of God, he stated that he would sit at the right hand of God in heaven and come in the clouds (See Daniel 7:11)

What a contrast as he returns with his saints. He is riding a white horse as conqueror. On his head are many crowns. His eyes are as a flame of fire, seeing everything (Revelation 19:12). A two-edged sword comes out of his mouth. He is wearing a vesture dipped in blood. Many believe that this is symbolic of his blood shed for our sins. (Hebrews 9:22 …without the shedding of blood there is no remission.) His names are now (Revelation 19:12-16):

1.?????Faithful and true

2.?????A name known only to himself.

3.?????The word of God

4.?????King of Kings and Lord of Lords

His armies:

No longer is Jesus Christ the lowly prophet followed by a small number of believers) He is seen coming on the clouds by everyone on earth. They cry out in fear, seeing the one who was rejected by men and pierced. His army is also riding on white horses and clothed in clean white linen. There is the church – all the believers from Pentecost until the rapture. All the saints of the Old Testament until the time of Pentecost are present. All the tribulation saints also join this great army. The white linen represents the righteousness of the saints. The saints really come as witnesses and have no weapons. They are not needed.?

His purpose:

Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth 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 fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. After his resurrection, Jesus declared to his disciples:??Matthew 28:18…all power is given unto me in heaven and earth. The rightful ruler of the universe, the Creator and Redeemer is coming to assert his rule. Christ will be victorious. We will witness his victory and participate in it although we will not fight.

Our proper response now:

1.?????We need to live pure lives in His power now.?1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we know that we shall see him as he is. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.?