Second Coming · The conquering King returns
Revelation 19:11-16
John · ~95 AD · Status: Future · Confidence: 60%
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.”
King James Version · the opening — all 6 verses are below
The rider on the white horse — Faithful and True, the Word of God — returns crowned and conquering, leading heaven's armies as King of kings.
Read the whole passage — all 6 verses (KJV)
19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
19:12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
19:13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
19:14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
19:15And 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.
19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Fulfillment References
Revelation 19:16 Isaiah 11:4 Psalm 2:9 Zechariah 14:3-5
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe rider called 'The Word of God' (v.13) and 'KING OF KINGS' is Jesus — the one God whose name is above every name (Phil. 2:9-11).
JewishThe conquering rider draws on Davidic warrior-Messiah and Day-of-the-LORD imagery; Judaism awaits a triumphant deliverer, not identified with Jesus.
CatholicThe triumphant return of Christ the King and Judge, the Word of God, consummating history.
ProtestantThe glorious Second Coming in power; 'KING OF KINGS' affirms Christ's universal, final victory.
OrthodoxChrist Pantokrator returning in glory, the Word of God leading the heavenly hosts.
DispensationalThe literal return of Christ with His armies (the glorified Church) to defeat the Antichrist and establish the kingdom.
AcademicApocalyptic counter-imperial imagery presenting the slain-yet-victorious Lamb-Word as the true Lord over Rome's powers.
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