I was interviewed by Joel Richardson recently on his The Underground. We addressed the very deep-seated assumption that many hold where Revelation 19 and its depiction of Jesus on a horse in the sky at the battle of Armageddon describes the beginning of the second coming of Christ. Amillennialists, pretribulationists, posttribulationists, and other eschatological positions take this position. However, on closer examination this event describes—not the beginning of the second coming—but an event that occurs toward the end of the day of the Lord’s wrath within the larger complex of the second coming, which started between the sixth and the seventh seal. I gave about five reasons why Revelation 19 and its depiction of Jesus at Armageddon does not describe the first point when Jesus appears at his second coming. It is not a deliverance event. It portrays the culmination of God’s judgment, not its initiation.
The Underground Episode 76: Does Revelation 19 Describe the Return of Jesus or Something Else? from Joel Richardson on Vimeo.
“Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse! The one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice he judges and goes to war. His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself. He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood, and he is called the Word of God. The armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen, were following him on white horses. From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful. He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Then I saw one angel standing in the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in the sky: “Come, gather around for the great banquet of God, to eat your fill of the flesh of kings, the flesh of generals, the flesh of powerful people, the flesh of horses and those who ride them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slave, and small and great!” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. Now the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf–signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur. The others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh.” (Rev 19:11–21 NET)
