I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself…and his name is the Word of God. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-13, 16, NIV 1984).
My Musings – These verses portray the physical second coming prophesied in Acts 1:9–11. The full preterist view, claiming that Christ already came in spirit and power in the judgment of Jerusalem in 70 AD and that there is no future second advent, are hard to justify when viewing this scene of the rider on a white horse.
Though some identify this rider with the one in Revelation 6:2 (one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse), the context is entirely different. In Revelation 6:2 the rider is likely the world ruler (the anti-Christ) of the great tribulation bent on conquest of the world Here the rider is a ruler who obviously comes from Heaven and is bent on judgment of mankind and victory over evil. A victory already won when the stone rolled away, now being claimed.
The white horse is a sign of this victory. It was customary, upon his return from battle, for a triumphant Roman general to parade on the Via Sacra (a main thoroughfare of Rome), followed by his spoils of war in the form of treasures and captives (2 Corinthians 2:14). The white horse is thus a symbol of Christ’s triumph over the forces of wickedness in the world. The emperor Domitian rode a white horse behind his father and brother in their Judean triumph after the Jewish war of AD 66–70.
Note the emphasis in these verses on Jesus’ names.
Faithful and True – He is “Faithful and True,” in contrast to the anti-Christ who was unfaithful (he broke the covenant with Israel) and false (he ruled by means of deception and idolatry). Suffering saints need to be reminded that God is faithful and will not desert them, because His promises are true.
New Name – “I [Jesus] will also write on him [who overcomes] my new name,” (Revelation 3:12, NIV 1984). Perhaps this “new name” is the same as the “name… that no one knows but he himself?” Not knowing what this name is, we can only speculate. But it is exciting to know that even in Heaven, we shall learn new things about our Lord.
The Word of God – His name is also “the Word of God,” and is one of the familiar names of Christ in Scripture (John 1:1–14). Just as we reveal our minds and hearts to others by our words, so the Father reveals Himself to us through His Son, the incarnate Word.
Alpha and Omega – A word is made up of letters, and Jesus Christ is the “Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 21:6; 22:13), the beginning and the end of the divine alphabet of God’s revelation to us.
Living and Powerful – The Word of God is “living and powerful” (Hebrews. 4:12), and it fulfills His purposes on earth (Revelation 17:17; note also Revelation 6:11; 10:7; 15:1). God the Father says, “I am watching to see that My Word is fulfilled” (Jeremiah 1:12). Just as the Word was the Father’s agent in creation (John 1:1–3), so the Word is also His agent for judgment and consummation.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords – Christ’s most important name is “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” This is His victorious name (Revelation 17:14), and it calls to mind references such as Daniel 2:47 and Deuteronomy 10:17. Paul used this same title for Jesus in 1 Timothy 6:15. The title speaks of Christ’s sovereignty. All kings and lords are answerable to and must submit to Him. No matter who occupies the throne of “Babylon,” Jesus Christ is King and Lord!
My Advice – Faithful and true. The Word of God. The Alpha and Omega. Living and powerful. King of kings and Lord of lords. Not to mention a name known only to Him. Praise His Holy names!
Resources:
Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J. P., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (p. 1912). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Walvoord, John F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 976). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Re 19:11). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 596). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 617–618). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Brew Is A Musing 