Join us as we study through Revelation verse by verse. Our Bible study guides contain discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications which can help you or your small group get the most out of this book as you grow in understanding and obedience.
Revelation 19:11-21 – Bible Study For Small Groups – Jesus’ 2nd Coming
Revelation 19:11-21 Bible Study Video
Revelation 19:11-21 Bible Study Podcast
Outline
I. Behold The King (11-14)
II. The King’s War (15-19)
III. The King’s Judgment (20-21)
I was amazed when I looked up a survey which said that 79% of Americans believe Jesus will return to the earth someday. It was surprising to me that so many people say they believe Jesus will return to earth, but then they live as if He won’t.
Perhaps they think that when He comes back, everybody will enter paradise and it will be one big happy reunion.
But what will really happen when Jesus returns to the earth? That is what Revelation 19 will show us.
I. The Rider of the White Horse (11-14)
Discussion Questions
- What are your observations about what John saw?
- Who is on the white horse?
- What does the white horse show us about the rider?
- What can we learn of Jesus from His eyes being like a flame of fire?
- What do the “many diadems” show us about Him?
- Why is His robe dipped in blood?
- Why is Jesus called The Word of God?
- Who is the army following Him and what are they there fore?
Cross-References
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
John 5:22 – The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.
Acts 17:31 – Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Rider of White Horse – John “saw heaven opened and behold…” All eyes are on Jesus, beholding Him. Jesus is the star of the show. Jesus’ second coming is very different from His first coming. The first time He came, He was born as a baby in a rural, corner of the world, with poor parents. Only a very few people saw Him and realized who He was at the time. And the purpose of His coming was different. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He rode on a donkey. It was a symbol of His humility and gentleness.
At His first coming, Jesus said, “I did not come to judge the world.” (John 12:47)
But next time He will. He will be riding on a white horse to wage war. This is the symbol of a king. In Revelation 6, the Antichrist was riding a white horse. He was the pretender, copy catting what he knew Jesus would be doing. Now every eye will behold Jesus for who He is, the King of Kings. No more excuses. No more denials. No more false bravado.
Behold. That is what we want to do today. We want to behold Jesus for who He is. Many tend to focus on certain qualities Jesus demonstrated at His first coming that they are attracted to: compassion, service, humility, love, and sacrifice. In this chapter, we see a completely different, but equally important side of who Jesus is.
2. Faithful and True – Jesus is called “Faithful” and “True.” Both of these highlight the fact that Jesus does what He says. Jesus promised to come again. People mock. They will say, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). They will claim that the long time gap is proof that Jesus is not true.
Recently someone replied to an online Bible study I posted and said “Jesus is a false prophet” because He hasn’t returned yet.
But Jesus is faithful and true. He will come again just as He promised.
3. In Righteousness He Judges and Makes War – Jesus is just and righteous. The war that He makes on the Antichrist and his rebels is a righteous war. Many of the wars waged by man are evil wars. Sometimes the motive is money or resources, power, land, revenge, and hate.
But there have also been wars where one side was in the right. In WWII, the countries fighting against the evils of Nazi Germany were fighting a just war. They had to stop the evil. And war was the only way to do it. After the allies won the war, they held a trial for many of the Nazi leaders. And many of these were put to death. It was justice.
In a similar way, the war Jesus will make against the Antichrist and his rebels is a righteous war.
Many people ask, “why does God allow evil?” and “why doesn’t God just stop sin?”
But they don’t understand that to do that requires war and judgment. Nazi Germany would not be stopped without war. And neither will the sin we see today. Right now God is patient and He is giving more time for repentance. Yet He will not allow the evil and rebellion to go on forever. And that is why this war is necessary.
He sent prophets. The world didn’t listen. He sent His Son. The world didn’t listen. He sent His Word, the Holy Spirit, missionaries, and the church. The world didn’t listen. In Revelation, we have seen that He sent 21 separate judgments, many of them a warning of the hell and judgment to come. The world didn’t listen. He sent 144,000 witnesses. He sent angels. He proclaimed messages of warning from the sky. The world didn’t listen. Instead, they became more and more wicked in their lusts, pride, and blasphemies.
Thus the only solution is this righteous war. Not one person on earth will be able to claim ignorance as an excuse. Each one had many opportunities, but chose the way of rebellion. Jesus Himself will personally come again and wage a righteous war of judgment.
4. Eyes Like a Flame of Fire – Jesus sees all and knows all. His gaze penetrates any facade people put up. When He returns on His white horse His gaze will expose all. He will search the earth for those who are His enemies in order to bring them to judgment. No one can hide from Him. Caves, concrete bunkers, it doesn’t matter. His wrath will expose all of those who have lived in rebellion toward Him.
Luke 8:17 – For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
Application: The Lord sees all and knows all. What does He see when He looks at you? His eyes with either bring judgment or support.