Jesus Establishes His Kingdom

2021-12-20

As with many events in Revelation, the establishment of Jesus’ kingdom on earth is told in two accounts. The first account in Revelation 11:15-19 announces the Lord’s everlasting reign. We see the nations’ anger at the announcement while the heavenly Temple is opened. The announcement of the first resurrection (that of the saved) is proclaimed, that they will be rewarded.

The second account gives a lot more detail (Revelation 19). The Lord Jesus is on a white horse to face the Antichrist and his followers, which were gathered at the sixth vial. The Lord has three names in this passage: “Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11), “The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13), and “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16).

Jesus is “the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14), and His “words are true and faithful” (Revelation 21:5; cf. Revelation 22:6). He is called the Word of God in John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He is called the King of kings and Lord of lords in 1 Timothy 6:15 and Revelation 17:14. These names indicate His fulfilled promises, His Deity, and His authority at His coming.

This (semi) final “battle” is not much of a battle. It is also referenced in Joel 3. There is no long description of two armies fighting. Jesus heaves the Antichrist and the False Prophet into the lake of fire and the armies are defeated by a sword that “proceeded out of his mouth” (Revelation 19:21). He speaks, and they are defeated. There was a foreshadowing of this in during His early life: “As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground” (John 18:6). The birds feed on the flesh of the armies. Satan is bound for a thousand years in prison.

The resurrection of the saved face the judgment seat of Christ, where they are rewarded. Jesus reigns on the earth for a thousand years on earth (Revelation 20:4). Afterwards, Satan is loosed, and he tries once again to fight against Christ but is permanently defeated and thrown into the lake of fire. The resurrection of the unsaved ensues, with the unsaved are judged according to what they have done. These also are condemned to the lake of fire.

At this, the wonderful eternal state begins with the New Jerusalem descending from heaven to earth.

This is a long story filled with many elements, some very bitter but some very sweet. No wonder the story is described in this fashion: “And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey” (Revelation 10:9).