Revelation 19. The final chapters of Revelation conclude by wrapping up great themes of the whole letter:  Babylon the great has fallen, the resistant empires of humankind and evil have been toppled from their places on the Day of the Lord (Revelation 17-18). Now, in Revelation 19, we encounter the final battle between good and evil.

After Babylon the Great is fallen, there is rejoicing in heaven. The great multitudes cry out, “Salvation and glory and power belong to our God for his judgments are true and just. He has judged… and avenged the blood of his servants” (19:1-2). “Praise our God all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great” (19:5).

“Hallelujah, for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns! Let us rejoice and exalt and give him glory” (19:6-7). There are preparations to celebrate the marriage between the Slain Lamb (who is Christ) and his Bride (the church).

We are expecting the groom for the wedding to appear, and he does – but he comes as a rider on a white horse (19:11-21). The white horse is a distinctive element, and the whiteness symbolizes victory. The angel armies of heaven follow him, also clothed in white and riding white horses.

The details given to John about the rider on the white horse are many. Note these in particular: His name is the Word of God. This is Jesus Christ triumphant. He wears a white robe, that is sprinkled with (or dipped in blood). The battle has not started yet, and already he has blood on him – meaning it is his own blood! Christ rides triumphantly – as an overcomer and ruler of all the nations – by the shedding of his own blood. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. The sword is not in his hand for battle, as one might imagine, his power comes from his Word.

We expect a long-dramatized battle on the plains of Armageddon, like something from Lord of the Rings – but that is not what John saw. John doesn’t mention much about a battle at all. “The beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army and the beast was captured” (19:19-20) Just like that, it was over. Christ, the rider on the white horse, has triumphed by his own shed blood (not the blood of others) and by his Word. “They were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse” (19:21)

Victory is won by Christ alone. The forces of evil appear mighty by they are completely helpless when confronted by the Christ. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory.