Revelation 19

July 5, 2022

The Return of the King aka the Ballad of the White Horse Rider

Revelation 19.11-21

The King returns, and none of those who are His enemies will be able to stand before Him. His fury will be terrifying and His vengeance on His adversaries complete.

Jesus is coming…He is coming in judgment, He is coming in vengeance, He is coming as Sovereign over all, and you want to be with Him and not against Him.

In Luke 19, Jesus tells the parable of the nobleman who goes off to receive a kingdom. Before the nobleman leaves, he calls together his slaves and gives each one a mina to invest until his return. And generally the focus is on the slaves investing the nobleman’s mina. But there is a third group in that parable…those who didn’t want the nobleman to rule over them. In Luke it for sure represents the religious leaders who rejected Jesus. In Revelation, it represents the folks aligned with the beast. Seed of the serpent types.

There are only two sides in this conflict…only two. You are either on the side of the White Horse Rider, or you are aligned against Him. There is no middle ground. No Switzerland here.

As believers, this is our blessed hope…the return of the King in all His terrible glory executing judgment and vengeance for every wrong done on earth. Ever since Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit and plunged humankind, and all of creation, into a world of sin, death and corruption, we’ve been waiting for the Seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent, the One God promised would set everything right. So for us, the White Horse Rider is our Fearless Commander, our Conquering Warrior-King riding into battle against an already vanquished foe. His appearance is salvation and the realization of our greatest hopes. Jesus wins. And because of our faith in Him, we also win.

For those who are facing the White Horse Rider, there is great dread and fear as they see a Fierce, Ruthless, Unrelenting and Vengeful Warrior-King bent on destroying them. None will escape. All will face His wrath.

So where are you? Are you with Him or against Him?

If you have trusted in Jesus, give thanks! Jesus wins. The realization that He is coming back in all His awesome glory is good news indeed, for He will right the wrongs that have been done. But knowing that He is coming back with such terrifying vengeance, there should be a sense of urgency in sharing our story with those around us who don’t know about Him.

If you find yourself today in the position of an enemy of Jesus, be afraid! Jesus wins. The realization that He is coming back in all His awesome glory is sobering news indeed, for He will right the wrongs that have been done. Knowing that He is coming back with such terrifying vengeance, now is the time to repent…to trust in Him, for now is the time of God’s favor. We are in a holding pattern awaiting His return. Part of the reason for the delay is so that folks will come to trust Him and join His side. It’s as simple as admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus came to save you from your sin. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death on your behalf, and was raised the third day, so that you might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life, that you too may look forward to the return of your King.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Revelation series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

June 27, 2022

The Great Hallelujahs

Revelation 19.1-10

The fourfold hallelujahs are ringing out in anticipation of the coming of the King. The long wait is nearly over. The time is near.

The return of the King is good news for His servants, for those who have entered into covenant relationship with Him. For them He has come with His reward. For them there is the “well done good and faithful slave” of a benevolent and magnanimous Master. For them their righteous deeds are the linen garments they will wear as they enter the kingdom to feast at the wedding supper of the Lamb.

But His return will not be good news for His enemies. For them He has come to judge them for their wicked deeds and avenge the wrong done to His people. For them it will be a dark day, a terrible day. For the King will be their Judge…their uncompromising and just Judge.

Life and death are set before you, the blessing and the curse. So choose life.

It’s as simple as admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus came to save you from your sin. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death on your behalf, and was raised the third day, so that you might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life…a covenant relationship with Him, feasting together with Him at the wedding supper of the Lamb and reigning with Him forever.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Revelation series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.