Revelation 19:11-16

Ascension always stresses that Christ rules over everything for the benefit of this Church. But Revelation 19 stresses what that King is like now. It’s perhaps not what most listeners picture in their minds. All have seen artistic renderings of him. Perhaps it’s Jesus holding lambs. Perhaps it’s Jesus with little children. Perhaps it’s Jesus on the cross. But likely, none of them have this picture in Revelation 19 —Jesus as The Rider. Yet, this is exactly the image John’s readers needed to see. They were undergoing ferocious persecution. These believers needed to know that this is the one who is seated on the throne, reigning over all things for their benefit. Still

today God’s people need to know that Christ has ascended, and for those who are in Christ, Jesus is as gentle and caring as a shepherd. But for those who would harm Christ’s people, this is the Jesus they shall meet.