The return of Jesus Christ is the revelation of …
v The
Savior (v13). In His return our Lord
will be clothed with a robe dipped in
blood. Isaiah 63:1-5 speaks of the
Messiah coming from the east (Bozrah in Edom) clothed in red because He has
trodden the peoples in His anger. In
that sense His robe may be a picture of the Judge. But Armageddon hasn’t occurred yet so it may
speak of victories already won. It may
refer to His work in heaven, sprinkling the blood, His blood, on the mercy
seat. It would then speak of His Calvary
work applied in heaven by our eternal Intercessor.
v The
Word of God (v13). This title of our
Lord was special to John. He spoke of
the eternal Word who was in the beginning
with God and as God, Creator of all things, the light and life of
all mankind, the Word who became flesh and lived among us (John 14:1-14). As the
Word of life He could be seen, touched, heard and experienced (1 John
1:1). That Man will come from heaven,
the Word of God!
v The
Lord of Hosts (v14). The amazing scene
from the Eastern sky will be of a Commander on His white horse accompanied by
His army. What is the nature of this
army? Mark 8:38 says He will return,
accompanied by His angels. But perhaps
the picture here is of the saints who will accompany Him (Jude 14-15), being
here seen clothed in fine linen, white
and clean, the wardrobe of the Bride of Christ (19:8).
v The
Ruler/Shepherd of the Nations (v15). The
term commonly translated rule is a
shepherding term as is the rod He
uses in His rule. This is not
strange. Governmental rulers are said to
be shepherds in Scripture (e.g. Ezek.
34:1-10). After chastising the shepherds
of Israel in Ezek. 34 God then said He will be their Shepherd (34:11-31). This will be fulfilled when the Good Shepherd
comes to rule from David’s throne (Isa. 40:10-11; Ezek. 34:23-24; Micah 5:2;
John 10:11,14). What a wonderful
revelation of Christ!
v The
Executor of God’s Wrath (v15). Be clear
about the coming of Christ. This Savior,
who was the expression of God’s love, for the world is also given the role of
Judge. He will put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe … the winepress is full, the
vats overflow – for their wickedness is great (Joel 3:13). Men are given a choice with consequences or
reward. Those who reject Him will find
themselves on the losing side of Armageddon and eternity.
v The
King of kings and Lord of lords. This
is, in a sense, the sum of the entire revelation of Jesus Christ. It also sums up the promise of the Father to
give the Son the nations as an inheritance (Psalm 2:7-9; 110:1; Isaiah 9:6-7;
Micah 5:2). We are encouraged to be
faithful until our Lord Jesus Christ’s
appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and
only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:14-15).
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