Epaggelia

Key Text: Revelation 19:11-16 

The Conquering Christ, v11, is named Faithful and True because his victory is real and dependable. No matter how large, evil and painful the enemy becomes, Christ’s victory is sure! For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done, Mt. 16:27 & Rev. 20:12, Rev. 22:12, Psa. 62:12, Jer. 17:10.

The Crowned Christ, v12, here in Revelation is very similar to what Daniel saw, Dan. 10:1-21, (emp. v6). Daniel’s term “Son of Man” was used most by Jesus himself. Christ had to keep this vision of victory emphasized in his life, speech and ministry. The many ‘diadem’ crowns above his head, must represent the many kingdoms Christ conquers, they are innumerable, Rev. 11:15 & Heb. 4:13 & Jer. 23:34.

The Slaughtering Word of God, v13. His clothing being bloody, is indicative of how victorious he rules in comparison to Roman generals of his day. They often wore cloaks of purple or scarlet. John is the only writer that assigns Jesus to be the very word of God, Jn. 1:1-3,14 & Isa. 63:3 & Isa. 11:4 & Heb. 4:12.

The Warring Leader, v14-15, of an army that also sits on white horses. Our battle is spiritual, not physical, Eph. 6:12-17.  Why? Because now, since the resurrection, Satan’s chief tool is defeated, so the closer Jesus comes into our life and into the world, more and more of Satan’s devices are defeated, until eventually everything including death will be conquered, 1st Cor. 15:22-28.  Read Mt. 25:31, 2Ths. 1:7-9, Jude 14-15.

 The Sovereign King, v16. We are “to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time–he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion.” 1Tm. 6:14-16. Pliny the Elder recorded in AD68 (Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 35. c. 9.), that Zeuxis had his name interwoven with gold into his garments on his thigh. Zeuxis was a general in the service of the Seleucid king Antiochus III the Great (223–187 BC). He was engaged in 221 BC in the war with Molon, general of Media, whom he prevented from crossing the Tigris. He also took a prominent part in the siege of Seleucia on the Tigris. In the decisive battle with the Romans in 190 BC, Zeuxis was one of the commanders of the front line, and after the defeat of Antiochus IV, was one of the ambassadors sent to Scipio Asiaticus and Scipio Africanus to seek a treaty for peace, on which mission he proceeded to Rome. Never forget the first readers of Revelation would have these events as easily known and remembered, as we do 9/11. To them, Jesus was their victorious General, now turned King !   Read Rev. 1:5 & 17:14.