BIBLE STUDY-24

 

Peace Methodist Church 2021. 10. 17.

 

Revelation 19:11~14

 

◎ Revelation 19:11~14 (ESV)

11  Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse!

     The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True,

     and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

12  His eyes are like a flame of fire,

     and on his head are many diadems,

     and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

13  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood,

     and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

14  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure,

     were following him on white horses.

 

◎ Interpretation

11  Then I saw heaven opened: This is a new and peculiar opening of it, in order to show the magnificent expedition of Christ and his attendants, against his great adversary.

a white horse(steed) and the rider: This is an exhibition of the triumph of Christ after the defeat of his enemies. Heaven opens, Jesus appears – this time not as a Lamb but as a warrior on a white horse(symbolizing victory). Jesus who came 2,000 years ago was the Savior, but when the Lord comes again, he comes as the Judge. 2 Thes. 1:7~10

Faithful and True(trustworthy, loyal, incorruptible, steady): These are the characters of Christ. Deut. 32:4

in righteousness he judges and makes war: The wars are righteous in their principle and in their object.

 

12  His eyes are like a flame of fire: This is an emblem of his omniscience(Rev. 1:14). To denote the piercing and all-penetrating nature of his wisdom. Nothing can be hidden from the penetrating gaze of the Messiah. Ps. 11:4, Pr. 15:3

on his head are many diadems(royal crowns): For he is king of all nations. Many crowns indicate unlimited sovereignty. Since he is king of kings, all authority is his. Rev. 19:16

 

13  a robe dipped in(dripped, stained with, dyed with) blood: To show that he was just come from slaughter. The blood of the enemies he has already conquered. Isa. 63:1~3, Lk. 12:49~50, Heb. 12:2~4  

The Word of God: This indicates the Christ incarnated who was died, resurrected and sat down at the right side of the Father. Jn. 1:1, Jn. 1:14, Heb. 1:3, 1 Jn. 1:1 

 

14  the armies of heaven: All believers who followed Jesus Christ as King. Eph. 6:11, Phil. 1:27, Heb. 12:2~4

in fine linen, white and pure: All holy, pure and righteous. White symbolizes holiness, which can be given to believers only by the death of the sinless Lamb of God on our behalf(Rev. 7:14). Sanctification constitutes the prerequisite for final justification at the last judgment and for final salvation. “Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.”(Heb. 12:14) “For many are called, but few are chosen.”(Mat. 22:14)

 

◎ Message

[A] God wins at the end.(v.11)

[B] We should not ignore God’s eyes.(v.12)

[C] We must hold on to the Word of God until the end.(v.13)

[D] Holy believers participate in the victory of God.(v.14)

 

[Resources: Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Robert H. Mounce’s The Book of Revelation(NICNT),

Life Application Study Bible(NLT), John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament,

Harald Lindström’s Wesley and Sanctification, Hwang’s interpretation]