Dive into the vivid imagery of the second coming of Jesus Christ as described in Revelation chapter 19. This episode unravels the majestic return of the King of Kings, His righteous judgment, and the dramatic transformation of the world under His reign. Engage with insights from biblical texts that discuss the significance of His names, His nature, and the grand climax of history as He returns to establish His eternal kingdom.
In righteousness he doth judge and make war. The Messiah will do everything right. There will be no charge of injustice, and we will not need the ACLU, praise God. They’ll be out of business. When the King of Kings reigns, he won’t need any help. And everything he does will be right and just and fair.
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Thank you.
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The sky rips open like a curtain of fire, and out of heaven, out of heaven rides the King of Kings. Not the baby of Bethlehem, not the humble teacher of Galilee, but the conquering Messiah. Eyes blazing, crowned with many crowns. In righteousness, he judges and makes war. No appeals, no delays, no arguing the verdict. every decree right, every act just, every word true. And when he reigns, the noise of all the nations will fall silent before his glory. This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Hawking. And today we’re continuing David’s study of the second coming from Revelation chapter 19. And in just a moment, we’re going back to verses 17 through 21 of the passage. First, David has a quick word for us.
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We don’t have a church or a gigantic organization behind us. We depend on the listeners in every broadcast area. We need your help. in seeing those funds raised that will pay for the broadcast. Would you please, even though you’ve been giving regularly, would you give a special gift right now and let us know that you’re out there, that you appreciate our studies right now in the book of Revelation? And that you’ll just put a little extra in that envelope and tell us that you’re praying for us as well. God bless you.
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Well, thank you, David. And friend, if you’d like to help this ministry grow with a one-time or regular monthly gift, you can reach us at 875-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. And Bible is 24253. Or you can show your support online at DavidHawking.org. DavidHawking.org. And here’s David at Revelation chapter 19 to continue our look at the second coming.
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The second coming of Jesus Christ. Are you ready? Not just to read, but are you ready? Yes. amen revelation 1911 and i saw heaven opened and behold a white horse and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true and in righteousness he doth judge and make war his eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he had a name written that no man knew but he himself and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood and his name is called the word of god And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron. And he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And I saw an angel standing in the sun and he cried with a loud voice saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, come and gather yourselves together under the supper of the great God that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of captains and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse and against his army. And the beast was taken and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceedeth out of his mouth, and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. What a gruesome sight. Let’s look to the Lord in prayer. God, we thank you for your word, which the psalmist said you’ve exalted above your name. Your word. Jesus said not one jot or one tittle will pass away till all these things are fulfilled. And we believe that soon and very soon Jesus Christ is going to come. We thank you for your gracious provision and protection. But we are aware, Lord, that when judgment comes in the last days, many will suffer. And I pray, dear Lord, that you will prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. their eyes may be fixed on him who is King of kings and Lord of lords, that we’ll understand that all history is coming to a grand and glorious climax as he will return. He will set up his kingdom on earth. There’ll be a new heaven, a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells. Thank you, Lord, for what you’re going to do here. In Jesus’ name, amen. Now we’ve been talking about the spectacular description of the coming of Jesus Christ. And we started about how his names identify him clearly. Not only do his names identify him clearly, but his nature. describes him powerfully. And I want you to notice five things here in these same verses. Number one about his nature is the attribute of righteousness, even when he makes war and brings his judgment. The second thing I’d point out to you is in verse 12, where it says his eyes were as a flame of fire. His awareness of all things. A third thing that I would point out about his nature that describes him so powerfully here is his authority. We submit on our knees in prayer, and we submit when we follow the word of God and obey him. Simple point, but very powerful. In verse 14, the fourth thing that I draw out, how his nature is described so powerfully here, deals with his armies. His armies in verse 14. It says, the armies which were in heaven. Did I read that right? The armies which were where? Oh, in heaven. Followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Could that be a clue? Look back at chapter 19 and verse 8. At the married supper of the Lamb, it says, To her, the wife, was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Now does the Bible say that the Lord is going to come with all His holy angels with Him? Yes. Are they the army that is being talked about here? No. No. Because they don’t have fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of saints. They desire to look into the salvation which we experience. Go back to chapter 7. How did these garments get so white and clean? Chapter 7, verse 14. These are they which came out of great tribulation, talking about the tribulation martyrs, and have washed their robes and made them white in the what? Blood of the Lamb. So we got armies coming from heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, which is the righteousness of saints. Well, now that’s interesting. Apparently, there must be a difference between what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4 and what we read here in Revelation 19. In 1 Thessalonians 4, the dead in Christ rise first. Those who are alive and remain are caught up with them to meet the Lord in the clouds, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. But here, he’s not coming for us, he’s coming with us. Well, folks, that means we’ve been in heaven while the tribulation has been going on on earth. Amen? Turn to Daniel chapter 12. Daniel chapter 12. And look at verse 1. Daniel 12, verse 1. And at that time shall Michael stand up, Michael’s the archangel, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people, and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. And at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some… Turn to Matthew chapter 25. Matthew chapter 25. Will the angels come? Yes, we mentioned this. This is the verse. When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, that’s at the end of the tribulation. Go back to chapter 24 and look at verse 29. Immediately after the tribulation, verse 30, then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. End of the verse, Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Chapter 25, 31, when the Son of Man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with him. Notice it doesn’t say… then shall he fight against the nations of the world. Instead, it says, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all nations to be judged. Isn’t that interesting? Are the holy angels coming with him? Yes, that’s what it says. But who are the armies in the fine linen, white and clean? I think it’s very clear in the scriptures and revelation that that has to represent those who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. That’s how the robes are made white. That’s the righteousness of the saints. And in fact, it’s referring to believers. It cannot refer to Old Testament saints because they aren’t resurrected until the end of the tribulation. So who is this coming with him? All these armies out of heaven. Again, I believe it’s the believers through all the church age who are coming with him. I don’t know if you like to ride horses, but the Bible says we’re coming on white horses. How about that? Back to Revelation 19. We said there are five things. in looking at how his nature is described so powerfully in this text when he comes again. The attribute of righteousness as he judges and makes war, his awareness of all things, eyes like a flame of fire, his authority on his head were many diadems, his armies that followed him on white horses clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Number five is anger. Verse 13. He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood. Now, earlier in Revelation, in chapter 1, verse 13, we learned that he had a garment. He was clothed with a garment down to the feet. Now we’re learning that it’s all got blood all over it. It’s dipped in blood. It looks like you’ve just taken that garment and dipped it in blood. Well, in Isaiah 63, we have that prophecy unfolded for us as it describes the coming of the Messiah at the Battle of Armageddon. Isaiah chapter 63. I don’t know how many Christians believe this, but there’s a lot of them, including myself in the past, that when Jesus Christ comes again, he’s going to come to the Mount of Olives. Now, the Bible does say his feet is going to stand on the Mount of Olives in the book of Zechariah chapter 14, verse 4. But, my friends, that is after he’s already cleaned house on the nations of the world. When he first comes, he’s not coming to the Mount of Olives. When an ancient monarch conquered the Middle East, and Jerusalem in particular, they would go up on the Mount of Olives and look over the whole city and raise their sword to the sky. And it was a victory ascent up to the Mount of Olives. That’s what’s being described. Well, when he stands on the Mount of Olives, it’s all over. He’s won. Where is he actually coming to when he comes out of heaven with his great army to defeat the nations of the world? And according to the Bible, he’s coming to Basra. Not the one that you heard about in the Persian Gulf War, B-A-S-R-A. That’s a lot of miles from this Basra. But this is Basra, B-O-Z-R-A-H, which is in southern Jordan, which is a part of Edom of the past. And it’s down in the area where we have Petra, the rock city. Many people believe that Basra is Petra. And a very strong belief. opinions about that based on biblical and archaeological information. Now, all nations of the world are going to be gathered against God’s people, Israel. They’re going to finally conclude something that we already see in our world, that they’re the real problem to peace. So we got to just get rid of them. And they will be gathered where? Well, because of the word Armageddon, the hill of Megiddo, many people have seen it in that great valley, a beautiful agricultural valley that’s between the hills of Samaria and the steep plateaus of Galilee. Now, it was the site of a lot of ancient conflict, and it is a part of the major trade route going straight through Israel from Egypt or to the north. But my friends, I do not believe that it is possible to put all the nations of the world into that valley. I think it becomes a symbol of the final conflict, the campaign of Armageddon. And when the blood flows, it flows for 200 miles. That’s interesting to me because if you start at the Mediterranean Sea, right at Haifa, you will notice the water flows down. When you go over to the Sea of Galilee, you’re already 600 feet below sea level. And when you go south down the Jordanian Valley to the Dead Sea, you’re now at the lowest part of earth, 1,300 feet below sea level. So blood or any liquid in giant quantities could easily flow through the entire area. In other words, the whole land of Israel is going to be drenched. That whole area has always, by Hebrew prophets and rabbis, been thought of as the final winepress of God. Very interesting. Well, where are all the nations of the world going to be gathered? As we watched in the Persian Gulf War, where it was a total of 28 nations, I recall, that were involved. They needed lots of territory out in that Saudi desert. They needed lots of space to mobilize all those troops and tanks and equipment and so forth. Well, the only place that I see, if you’re going to attack Israel, is on the Jordanian Plateau. If you will visit Jordan at Amman, I’ve done this and taken the bus ride all the way down to Basra or to Petra, which I’ve done. It’s about an eight-hour trip. You will notice that the land is not only flat, but it goes straight out into the desert as far as your eyes can see. It’s the easiest place for all the nations of the world to assemble their armies and armaments and get ready to attack Israel and wipe her out. But before they even get started… While they’re assembling in Basra, here comes the king of kings and lord of lords. I love this. Verse 1, chapter 63. Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments from Basra? So he’s already got the blood all over his garments. Answer, this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength. Who is it? And the answer comes, I that speak in righteousness. Remember, in righteousness he makes war mighty to save. The question, well, wherefore art thou red in thine apparel and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine vat? Answer, the Messiah speaks. I have trodden the winepress alone. And of the people there was none with me. He will do it all alone. I will tread them in mine, what? anger we said what is some of his nature that describes him so powerfully in revelation 19 and the statement is he’s clothed with a vesture dipped in blood is talking about his anger from isaiah chapter 63 i trampled them in my fury and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments and i will stain all my reign remnant why for the day of vengeance is in mine heart and the year of my redeemed has come and i looked and there was none to help and i wondered that there was none to uphold Therefore, mine own arm brought salvation unto me. My fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger and make them drunk in my fury. And I’ll bring down their strength to the earth. Don’t you love the next verse? I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord. I love that. Isn’t that great? Back to Revelation 19. So his nature describes him powerfully, the attribute of righteousness and making war, his awareness of all things, eyes like a flame of fire, no one can escape his authority. He has on his head many diadems, his armies who come with him, and his anger as pictured by his garment dipped in blood from Isaiah 63.
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That’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David’s back in just a moment or two to bring our time in the Word to a close for the day. First, though, his son Matt is here, and together we’re going to share a resource that may just help you if you’ve been scratching your head lately with questions about exactly what’s going on in this crazy world and how do we live in it.
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Matt? Turn on the TV, surf the net and social media, drive down the street, talk to neighbors and colleagues any day of the week, and it doesn’t take long to see examples of a culture and a world seemingly gone mad.
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Yeah, Matt, down is up, evil is lauded as good, logic is tossed out the window. Many believe that there’s no such thing. It’s absolute truth. And they believe that absolutely. Exactly, exactly. You know, Matt, we’ve discussed this before, but when you make sin your identity and a fantasy your reality, your heart becomes a breeding ground for delusion.
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Well, our featured resource this month is my dad’s dynamite book, Life’s Greatest Questions.
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Inside, David Hawking brings readers into the truth of God’s word for answers on origins. How did our world come into being? What is unique about humans? What’s gone wrong in our culture? Am I good, bad, or both? What should I think about myself? What happens when I die? How do I respond to the chaos in today’s culture? And how do we show godly compassion while standing steadfast in biblical truth? That is so important. Get a copy of David’s book, Life’s Greatest Questions, and discover the wonder of biblical truth that answers each of these questions thoroughly and many more as well. And you can secure a copy for just $10. And Matt, I’d like to add that Life’s Greatest Questions is going to be a marvelous encouragement to our listening family as we face increasing pressures in our day and time. And life’s greatest questions again, just $10 from Hope for Today. And when you purchase, please consider, prayerfully consider adding an extra amount, a donation to Hope for Today, or perhaps make a donation by itself. And please pray for Hope for Today. I also want to let you know about our Revelation series sermon notes. Those are just $10. Now, these are David’s original outlines and sermon notes for each of the messages in our current Revelation radio series. And again, the pack, $10. Or you can get the Revelation series on MP3 audio, all the messages together for $30. or the complete series on DVD for $50. You know, these resources are designed to help you dig deeper, to save what you’re learning, maybe review the messages in the years ahead, share them with others, and of course, apply these truths to your life. They also make great stocking stuffers and gifts for Christmas for anyone who is hungry to understand Bible prophecy. And by the way, everything you give for these materials goes right back into keeping this ministry moving forward. To get your copy of David’s book, Life’s Greatest Questions, again, that’s just $10, or any of the study resources for our current Revelation radio series, call us at 800-75-BIBLE in the U.S. or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. And Bible by the Numbers is 242. You can also order or make donations online at davidhocking.org. davidhocking.org. And if you would like to give a special amount above and beyond your resource order, you can write to us if you like at Hope for Today, Box 3927. Tustin, California, 92781. That’s in the U.S. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, B.C., V2S 8P1. And friend, when you give above and beyond the cost of these resources, you’re doing far more than supporting a program. You are linking arms with us in ministry, a ministry that God is using to teach his word clearly without compromise in a world that desperately needs truth. You see that and I see that, don’t we? Well, once again, here’s David.
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Thanks for listening. I hope you are as excited as I am. Wow! We’re talking about the end of the tribulation. It’s coming, and the Lord is going to return with all His holy angels with Him, and the church of our Lord is going to come back. I think we’ll be spectators. We won’t be fighting. But the fact is, we are going to see a tremendous destruction of all nations of the earth. And I hope you’re ready. I’m ready. And God is going to encourage our hearts, I believe, by this message. One of the amazing things, folks, about this coming destruction of the Lord, backing up Israel and defeating all nations of the world, is what’s going to happen to those leaders we’ve talked about, the Antichrist, the false prophet? Well, in verse 19, it says, “…I saw the beast,” that’s the Antichrist, “…and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse and against his army. And the beast was taken, it says, and with him the false prophet.” And what happens to them? Well, according to verse 20, they’re both cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. I hope you’ve enjoyed our study. We got one more at least. God bless you.
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Well, thank you, David. And by the way, if you missed any part of today’s program, remember you can always go to davidhawking.org to catch up. We post our most recent programs there for a limited time. So if you’ve missed something, check that out as soon as you can. Well, next time on the broadcast, David continues our look at the return of Jesus Christ as revealed in the book of Revelation. Be sure to invite an unsaved friend or loved one to listen along with you. It is so important. In fact, it’s everything, isn’t it? We’ll see you then, right here on Hope for Today.
