“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. … From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron.” (Revelation 19:11,15)
Revelation 19 describes a vision of the apostle John. It is about a mighty warrior called “Faithful and True” and “the Word of God”. Other Bible verses make clear that these names refer to Jesus Christ, the Son of God (see John 1:1, Revelation 1:4-5). He has come to this earth as a vulnerable baby and did not fight back when his enemies crucified him. But He rose from the dead, and now we see him in his majestic power!
Jesus has come to strike down “the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him”. These are people who resist Jesus’ authority and prefer to make an alliance with “the beast”, Satan. At the end of time, they will face God’s wrath and be “slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse.”
This vision of Jesus as a mighty warrior might come as a surprise for you. Usually, He is depicted as the good Shepherd and merciful Savior who has given his life to save sinful humans. And this is 100% true! But there is also another side. If we resist Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, we actually declare war on Him. And that will not end well.
Are you ready for and looking forward to the day of Jesus’ return?