The End Times as God Reveals Them Pt. 63 Jesus Christ Defeats all evil forces with a Word.

Revelation 19:15-16  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. 16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 

Christ's All Powerful Sword.

Remember what we learned about the sharp sword in Christ's mouth and how that refers to the Words that He speaks. I want to expand on that picture a bit more so that we can see the glory of what John is telling us.

Ephesians 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

The apostle Paul tells us about the importance of taking up and putting on the whole armor of God. This text tells us about two of the pieces of armor. First is the helmet of salvation which is a fitting picture because repentant faith involves a change in how we think about sin and salvation through Christ. 

However, the second piece is the sword of the Spirit. This sword is the Word of God. Thus, we see a continuity of the sword in Christ's mouth representing His Word.

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

The author of the book of Hebrews also compares the scriptures with a powerful sword. He compares it with a two edged sword. It is very sharp and it pierces just like the sword in Christ's mouth. It discerns what is in our hearts and lays bare our thoughts. It represents the omnipotent, omniscient Word of God. 

Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.

John describes a bit more of Jesus Christ's triumphant return to earth to rule and reign. A vesture is an upper garment like a tunic or cloak. This garment will have a name that declares Jesus Christ is King of all kings and Lord over all lords. 

Philippians 2:9-11  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Although Paul addressed the church in this text he also tells us what is going to happen at the Second Coming of Christ. God the Father exalted His Son when Jesus Christ ascended to heaven after His resurrection. When Jesus returns to the earth the Father is going to highly exalt His Son, Jesus Christ in the sight of all the satanic system.

The name of Jesus Christ will be glorified in heaven and by all creatures great and small. Paul speaks of the Father giving Jesus a "name which is above every name" and this seems to refer to the name that no one but Christ knows (Revelation 19:12).

When King Jesus arrives on earth on His white horse, when His name is proclaimed, every living thing in heaven, on earth and under the earth will bow down in awesome reverence to the Son of God. Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and the Father will be glorified in His Son. 

The title "Lord" refers to God who is sovereign, who is the rightful owner of all things who has all authority to decide what to do with His possessions.

Think about this for a moment. All wicked sinners on earth, all the dead in Hell, all the fallen angels, the Beast, the Antichrist, the Devil will fall and bow before Christ in His glory. They will confess which means to agree with what God has said about Jesus Christ His Son. They will have no choice in this matter. The power of God will prevail over all their rebellious and unbelieving hearts. 

The Iron Rod of Christ's Power.

Psalm 2:9  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 

John says that Jesus Christ not only has a mighty, sharp sword that cuts and pierces. He also will have a rod of iron to rule all nations. The word "rule" means to be a ruler with absolute authority to govern. Again, think about this day of the LORD. For seven years the kings of the earth surrendered their power to the Antichrist who is a despot governing the entire world. Now, the glorious Son of God will come on the scene because He is the true King and Lord of all.

Satan's powers and schemes will be overthrown and God's Son, Jesus Christ will reign with the infinite power and wisdom of God. 

Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm that speaks about Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. The rod of iron in the hands of Christ will dash the nations into a million pieces like a piece of broken pottery. The law of God will be the holy standard and deviation will be punished. 

1 Timothy 6:14-16  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15)  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16) Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 

One more text from the inspired pen of Paul  tells us about Christ as King of all kings. Paul was urging young pastor Timothy to keep the sound doctrine that Paul gave him until the appearing of Christ. Notice what will happen at the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus will show his full manifestation of God as Supreme Ruler and Governor of all Creation.

Throughout history there have been many notable kings and rulers but Jesus Christ will infinitely surpass them all. He is the giver of eternal life to all who believe. He dwells with the Father in light because God is light. All honor and power belongs to Christ forever.

A Command to come to a gruesome feast.

Revelation 19:17-18  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 unto the supper of the great God; 18) That ye 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. 

At this point, after describing Christ in His glory, John tells us that an angel will stand in the sun and command all the fowls of the air to come to the supper of the great God. However, this feast will be a bloody, gory one. Birds like vultures, buzzards, crows and others will come to earth to gorge on the foul carrion of earthly kings, warriors, fallen horses, and all men both free or enslaved.

Revelation 19:19  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. 

A vast army marshalled by the satanic world order is going to assemble to make war with Jesus Christ when He comes to the earth. It will be Satan's last gasp to keep control of this corrupt world. 

Signs of the Son's Coming in Power.

Matthew 24:29-31  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

We must go back to the Olivet Discourse where Jesus taught about End Times. Jesus tells us what will happen at the very moment of His return. The sun will go dark and the moon will not shine. Many stars will fall in the heavens as the powers of darkness are suddenly shaken by the power of God. 

There is going to be some kind of a sign of Jesus, the Son of man that will be in the heavens. All people on earth will be gathered together to fight against the One who has power over death, hell, the grave and Satan.  They will mourn and be filled with fear and trembling because they know their time is up. Holy, fiery judgment is coming and their future will see all of them cast into a lake of fire.

Not only will there be a sign of Christ's coming shining brightly in the heavens, there will be a heavenly trumpet blast when the angels of heaven go forth to gather the elect (those who respond to the gospel of the kingdom with faith). When the last of those who will be saved during the tribulation period are safely gathered in, then the Lord will turn to fight.  

King Jesus will vanquish His enemies with a word.

Revelation 19:20  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.  21) And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. 

Notice the brevity of the battle details. Jesus Christ is omnipotent and none shall be able to resist Him in that day. The beast and false prophet will be taken, captured like wild animals. Along with the Beast and False Prophet, all people will be apprehended, who took the mark of the beast or who worshipped his image. 

The beast and false prophet were cast alive into the eternal lake of fire. The remnant here, who will be killed are those who bowed down to the image of the beast or took his mark. They will be slain by the sword of Jesus Christ. The idea is that Jesus will only speak a word and they will all surrender their lives to the giver of life that they refused to acknowledge. 

2 Thessalonians 2:8-9  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 

Paul gave us a preview of that day of the LORD. Notice how Paul words it. Christ will destroy Antichrist and false prophet with the "spirit of His mouth and the brightness of His coming." Paul's reference to the spirit of His mouth is reminding us that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. This is what the sword in His mouth tells us. It is the irresistible power of God's spoken Word. 

Then, the supper of the great God begins because all the carcasses must be devoured by the flesh eating birds.

Thoughts to ponder...

Thus, we reach the end of the tribulation period and learn that Jesus Christ will return in great power and majesty with signs in heaven and His army. He will undo the Devil's armies with a Word. The great tribulation will end and the millennial kingdom will begin. 

I ask again are you ready for the consummation of the End Times? Jesus said "Ye must be born again." He did everything necessary to save your soul from eternal separation from God. 

Think back through this study about how many times God has extended an invitation for sinners to repent. God is graciously allowing you to read this truth right now. Will you put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ? Will you believe on Him?

I pray that you will.

Bob