Chapter 13 Second Coming

First-century Israelis longed for a redeemer who would destroy the Roman Empire. They turned against Jesus when his salvation provided spiritual deliverance from sin, instead of military deliverance from Rome. However, Jesus will destroy world empires and deliver Israel at his second coming. Christ returns to earth riding a white horse as enemy soldiers are overrunning Jerusalem. As Christ returns the battle shifts from a war against Israel to a war against God. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. (Revelation 19:19)

From the valley of Armageddon the nations will attempt to destroy Jesus as he returns. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. (Revelation 19:11-14)

Zechariah foretold that Israel will be on the brink of defeat when Jesus returns. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. (Zechariah 14:2-4)

Jesus does not need to do anything more than speak and his enemies die. He spoke the world into existence, and his words have calmed the storm (John 1:1-3; Mark 4:39). Jesus has authority over everything that has been created (Matthew 28:18). From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations (Revelation 19:15a). And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse (Revelation 19:21a). Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth (2 Thessalonians 2:8a).

A wedding celebration occurs when a man and woman become one flesh (Mark 10:8). The future holds a spectacular celebration of those who share an incorruptible, eternal flesh. This feast is called the wedding supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). Jesus spoke of this feast at the last supper; it will be the consummate Passover celebration. When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:14-16)