Rev 19v11-20v6 The Return of the King Apocalypse soon Rev 19v11-20v6 The Return of the King

Rev 19v17-20v6 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great." 19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.

20But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

201And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God.

They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

The Return of the King The rider on white horse - Names: Faithful and True A secret name The Word of God KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

The Return of the King Clearly Jesus John refers to Jesus as the Word of God -Jn 1 and 1 Jn 1 KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS used in Rev 17 where Jesus is called the Lamb . Also a pointer to Jesus’ divinity – 1 Tim 6 the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal. Jesus calls himself the faithful and true witness in Rev 3v14  

The Return of the King He is accompanied by the heavenly cavalry 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Possibly an angelic army , but strong case for the saints, Rev 17 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." Dressed in fine linen Rev 19v8 Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of Gods people

The Return of the King The 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus  O.T. prophets - the "Day of the Lord" e.g. Mal 4 "the great and dreadful day of the Lord" Jesus clearly says `I will return'. N.T. c. 250 references. Mt 24 v30 They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory 26:64 But I say to all of you; in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. c.f Mk 13 Lk 21. Jn 14.3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me " Paul: 1 Thess 4:15-16, 2 Thess 1:7,10,Titus 2:13. Hebrews 9:28. 1 Peter 1:7 2 Peter 1:16 1 Jn 2:28

The Return of the King Where How To the Mount of Olives (Is 2:1-4, Mic 4:1-5 Zech 14:4 On that day the Lord's feet will stand on the Mount of Olives) In the air (1 Thes 4:17) At Ascension, from the Mount of Olives Acts 1:11 "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven" How Universally visible, with angels and lightening Mt 24:27 For as lightening that comes from the east is visible in the west so will be the coming of the son of Man. Heralded by an archangel: 1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.

The Great Battle Jesus returns as Warrior – Messiah –King to wage war v11 Messianic language drawn from the OT 15Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. C.f. Is 11v4 "He will rule them with an iron scepter." Ps 2v9 He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. c.f Is 63 v3 This is an earthly battle, not a cosmic battle . 19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army

https://isralsgoodname. files. wordpress https://isralsgoodname.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/tel-megiddo-photo-by-israeltourism-flickr.jpg

The Great Battle This battle flagged before Rev 16 Where 14 spirits of demons …..go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. …… to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Army under the beast (the anti-christ), the false prophet, and the kings of the earth will gather north of Jerusalem in the Valley of Esdraelon at the foot of Mount Megiddo – Heb. Har-mageddon The beast and the false-prophet are captured and thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur - hell (gehenna) The mighty word of Jesus is then enough to slay the remainder of the armies who make a grisly supper for the vultures v18 v21

The Millennium Then Satan will be bound and thrown into the Abyss to be imprisoned for 1000 years .  Jesus takes over the government of the earth This rule over the kingdom of this world for 1000 years, is the `Millennium'. (Rev 20:4-6, Rev 11:15) The fulfilment of the Messianic hope, the golden age of the OT prophets: Is 11:9, Hab 2:14, Zech 14:8 Is 2:4 Mic 4:3 Is 65;20 etc.

The Millennium John sees a vision of others who reign with Christ 2 groups in view Those seated on the thrones Rev 20 4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. b. And those beheaded for their testimony for Jesus - a subset of a.  Both of these are those who take part in the first resurrection - they are blessed and holy - priests and kings (1 Pt 2:9) The resurrected Church will reign with Christ for 1000 years c.f. Rev 2:25-27 5:10 1 Cor 6:3 `Do you not know that the saints will judge the world Paul in 2 Tim 2v12 promises believers ` If we endure we will also reign with him’

Alternative views Post-millenialism Amillenialism The Church rules for `1000 years' prior to Christ's return. R.C. after Augustine. Popular in C19th as western empires prospered & missionary endeavours Restorationists. Amillenialism There is no 1000 year period. Rev 20 is symbolic or mythic. Protestant Reformers & C20th liberals Dispensational Pre-millenialism Christians raptured prior to the Tribulation, Jews reign with Christ for 100 years . Brethren origins C19th. Some U.S. Evangelicals Classical or Historical Pre-millenialism (my view) Christ returns prior to the 1000 years. Christians reign with Christ on Earth for 1000 years. (My view) Earliest view of the Church. Most literal. Follows order of Revelation

Recap Christ will return to earth in power and glory The dead in Christ will rise to meet him as he comes , 1 Thess 4v16 . 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. This is the first resurrection They will be joined by those believers who survive the great tribulation 1 Thess 4 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air At the Battle of Armageddon, The beast and the false prophet will be thrown into hell and the anti-God armies will be defeated. The resurrected believers will reign with Christ on Earth for 1000 years

The Purpose of the Milenium Restoration of Global peace & harmony The messianic age predicted in OT e.g Is 11 v9 for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Mic 4v3 3He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. A demonstration of life under divine rule . Despite this after 1000 yrs- some will chose to disobey God . Satan will be released and allowed to deceive the nations Rev 20 v7 - just as in Eden Satan and the rebel armies will attempt to storm Jerusalem but they will again be defeated and Satan will be throw into hell Through this the righteousness of God and the rebellion of the human heart will be demonstrated

The Lesson for Us We should be preparing to reign Jesus parables about faithful servants Luke 16 - 10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,  Luke 12 42The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. Matt 25 21"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Dependability & not just ability

The Lesson for Us Be prepared for the Lord’s return We cannot know the exact time of Jesus’ return . Mt 24:36 No-one knows about that day or hour not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father Acts 1:7 "It is not for you to know the times or dates the father has set by his own authority." Will Jesus coming be sudden, and totally unexpected, or will there be warning signs?  We should not be like the unprepared for whom the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night 1 Thess 5:2 Mt 24:43 Rev 16:15,  There will be signs Mt 24:33 When you see all these things you know it is near.  We are to be those who are ready, watching and praying 1 Thess 5:4 `But you brothers, are not in darkness, so this day should surprise you like a thief’