6. A VISION OF THE ARMY Revelation 19:11-16 11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; --In 18:1 to 19:10 we have a most vivid picture of the final overthrow of evil under the symbol of Babylon. In this paragraph John is allowed to see a vision describing the Lord's victorious army in this last struggle. This is not a new and later event, but a pictorial representation of the Lord's part in the one just described. In this book we are frequently brought back to events already related for the purpose of giving additional information. The white horse, as we have already seen, is a symbol of successful or victorious warfare. See notes on Revelation 6:2. Faithful and true are characteristics of Christ (1:5; 3:14), and, in connection with other expressions in this paragraph, make it certain that the rider on the horse represents him. But for reasons given in the notes on Revelation 6:2 the rider there is not Christ. These texts then are not parallel. and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.--The prophets declared that "righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins." (Isaiah 11:5.) His decisions will all be just and his warfare in defense of the truth always right. 12 And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; --His eyes were sharp, piercing, and bright, indicating his power to penetrate and see every object. He had on his head, not the "crown"--victor's wreath--but the "diadem" --symbol of his regal authority. "Many" diadems indicate the universal nature of his rule, and the complete victory he was to gain over all in the last conflict. This idea is expressed more fully in verse 16. and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself.--John saw the name, for it was written, but where it was written is not stated. No one knew it means that no one could understand what it signifies. It probably is the same as the "new name" (Revelation 2:17), which will be given those who overcome, and therefore will not be known till the final state is reached. This implies that it expresses some heavenly relationship which men in the flesh cannot understand. 13 And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood:--The King James Version has the word "dipped" in place of "sprinkle." This is a matter of textual criticism, and the Revisers have decided in favor of "sprinkle" as the correct reading. Some expositors explain this as referring to the blood shed in the last war, some of which would be sprinkled on the garment of the victorious rider of the white horse. This would indicate that the last conflict would be a destructive victory over the Lord's enemies. Others think the reference is to the shed blood of Christ through which he will gain the final overthrow of wickedness. If this is the reference, the word "sprinkle" is still appropriate. Peter speaks of the "sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:2.) As the first covenant was dedicated by the sprinkling of blood (Hebrews 9:18-20), so the new covenant by the blood of Christ, figuratively called the "blood of sprinkling" (Hebrews 12:24) because that was the literal way the blood of animals was applied. and his name is called The Word of God-Some commentators think this cannot be the same as the name mentioned in verse 12 or the new name of Rev 2:17, for the reason that this one had already been given and could not therefore be "new." To this others reply that it is not known by man in the sense that no one can fully comprehend its meaning--that is, no one can understand the full import of God's Son being called the "Word." Of course this is true in fact, and may be the correct view of the expression, though hardly probable. See verse 12. 14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure.--We should remember that the text describes what John saw in the vision; what it represents is another matter. There are two important questions regarding this heavenly army: (1) Who are included in it? (2) What part will they take in the conflict? Without doubt the passage refers to the coming of Christ and the last struggle between sin and righteousness. Some think this army will be composed of angels only and base their conclusion on Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7. Others think it includes the martyrs and means the same as those mentioned in Revelation 6:9-11; 14:1-5 20:4. Still others think this army will include the redeemed saints as well as those martyred. It should be observed that this army clothed in white linen has no implements of war, which indicates that they are present as witnesses, not as actual fighters. There will be no fighting in the ordinary sense of that word, for all the wicked people in the world are no match for divine power. Under the withering touch of divine power 185,000 in the Assyrian army perished in one night without the touch of human hands. (2 Kings 19:35.) So the almighty power of Jesus, when he comes, will destroy Satan's army--a victory sudden and complete. The angelic hosts of heaven will be present to rejoice. 15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations:--Jesus said his kingdom was not to be defended with a carnal sword. (John 18:36.) Paul declares that Christians fight with the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17.) The thing that proceeds from the mouth means words. God's words are even sharper than a literal sword. (Hebrews 4:12.) From all this it is evident that smiting with the sword in this emblem represents the victory Christ will gain by his word. As the worlds were created by the word of God, so by the word of Christ wickedness will be banished. This agrees perfectly with Paul's statement that when Jesus comes he will slay the lawless one ("man of sin") with "the breath of his mouth." (2 Thessalonians 2:8.) Not carnal bloodshed; but Christ will speak the word and divine power will do the rest. This text shows that wicked nations will be here when Jesus comes else there would be none for the Lord to smite. and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.--Ruling with a rod of iron means in strict justice, whether in imparting favors or in inflicting punishment. This thought is expressed a number of times. (Psalms 2:7-9; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5.) The setting of the expression in this text shows that it means a just reward to the wicked. The preceding expression speaks of "smiting the nations," and the following one says that he will tread the wine press of God's wrath. Verses 17-21 show that the "winepress" of God's wrath refers to the final punishment of the wicked, a scene pictured in Jude 1:14-15. The meaning is that as the treader presses out the wine from the grapes, so Jesus will inflict the fierceness of God's wrath against the wicked, but with absolute justice. 16 And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.--Seeing this title written upon the garment further identifies the rider of the white horse as Christ. Just as the kingdom (mountain of the Lord's house) is above or greater than all other kingdoms (Isaiah 2:2), so Christ's position as King is superior to all other kings. Legally and rightly that has been his position since he took his seat (throne) at God's right hand. (Ephesians 1:19-23; Acts 2:36.) This symbol represents him as still having that authority when he comes to execute God's wrath upon the wicked.