One of the greatest gags in American history took place on October 30, 1938, when the CBS radio network aired an adaptation of H. G. Wells’ novel The War of the Worlds. Actor and future filmmaker, Orson Welles, directed and narrated the episode. The first 40 minutes of the broadcast were presented as a series of simulated news bulletins, which suggested that an actual alien invasion by Martians was currently in progress.
Some listeners heard only a portion of the broadcast and, in the atmosphere of tension and anxiety prior to World War II, took it to be an actual news broadcast. Newspapers reported that panic ensued, with people across the Northeastern United States and Canada fleeing their homes. Some people called CBS, newspapers, or the police in confusion over the realism of the news bulletins.
Future Tonight Show host Jack Paar had announcing duties that night for Cleveland CBS affiliate WGAR. As panicked listeners called the studio, Paar attempted to calm them on the phone and on air by saying, “The world is not coming to an end. Trust me. When have I ever lied to you?” Listeners started charging Paar with “covering up the truth.” In the aftermath of the reported panic, CBS responded to public outcry by pointing to reminders throughout the broadcast that it was a performance. CBS is believed to have had to promise never again to use “we interrupt this program” for dramatic effect.
Can you imagine what it would have been like to hear that radio broadcast, especially at that time in history? Today we may think about it as a funny prank, but back then it evoked mass panic and tremendous fear. Had you been there, you may have thought it was the end of the world as you know it, and you wouldn’t have felt fine! And when you finally found out the truth, you probably would have been ripped mad!
Well, today’s passage is the Bible’s version of the “War of the Worlds”, but I promise you that it is no gag. It is more serious than cancer and a heart attack together! It is more serious than death itself! Whereas Revelation 19:1-10 pictured Christ’s return from the believers perspective—as a beautiful wedding celebration, Revelation 19:11-21 pictures Christ’s return from the unbeliever’s perspective—as the great war of the worlds. It depicts Jesus returning to earth with the armies of heaven to bring judgment to Satan’s demonic minions and death to those who have not confessed faith in Christ. The first part of the passage shows the character of the conquering king and the second part shows us the actions of the conquering king. Let’s take a closer look at this future war of the worlds!
The Character of the Conquering King (11-16)
The scene opens with John seeing a vision of heaven standing open and rider on a white horse standing before him. This rider is never explicitly named in the passage, but the titles and descriptions leave no doubt about his identity—it is the Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 11-16 contain highlights of the character of the conquering king.
First, Jesus is pictured as riding on a white horse. In the ancient world, “white” horses were considered the best, and kings and generals always led their army into battle seated on a white horse. Also, throughout the book of Revelation, the color white has symbolized purity. Unlike the enemy who is filled with evil and corruption, Jesus is a pure king who is about to lead a holy war from heaven. He lived a sinless life and died a holy death, and there is no impurity in him—this gives him the right to judge.
Jesus bears the titles “faithful and “true.” He is the very embodiment of truth and there is no hint of deceit or falsehood in him. He always keeps his word and does what he says. Unlike Satan, who is a master of deceit and the father of lies, Jesus is completely faithful and true, therefore, he has the authority to judge. Verse 11 also tells us that he is a man of perfect justice. He always does the right thing. Justice is never fudged, cheated, or miscarried with him. And again, this character attribute gives him the right to judge and make war.
Verse 12 describes his eyes are like blazing fire. This metaphor symbolizes Christ’s omniscience—he knows everything about everybody. Since he has the ability to see into people’s souls, he has all of the information he needs to judge properly. He wears many crowns upon his head, which are symbols of his sovereignty. As the king of the universe, his rule and reign extends everywhere. He has complete control over everything. Also, he has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. Because Christ is infinite, unknowable aspects of his character will always remain. Humans, even in their glorified state, will only know what he chooses to reveal. His secret name points to his inexhaustibility.
In verse 13 we find out that he is dressed in a robe that is dipped in blood. We have to ask the question, “Whose blood is his robe dipped in?” Although many people immediately conclude that it must be Christ’s own blood, the context actually points to the blood of his enemies. Jesus is pictured here as a warrior Messiah who restores justice—he avenges the blood of his saints by drawing the blood of his enemies. He also bears the title “the Word of God.” Jesus is the physical embodiment of God’s word, which means that he is the active agent in fulfilling God’s will in the universe.
In verse 14, we learn that the armies of heaven follow Christ, and they too are riding on white horses. The army is made up of pure angels and saints who have been purified by death. We also learn the weapons of Jesus’ warfare. The sword coming out of his mouth, the iron scepter in his hand, and the winepress of the fury of God’s wrath symbolizes Jesus’ power to judge and conquer his enemies.
This whole sectioned is summed up and encompassed by the title that is found on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He is the ultimate ruler over all of the kings and leaders of the world. He is completely sovereign over everything in heaven and on earth. When he returns, no one can stand up to him and no one stands a chance against him.
Wow! This is one of the most striking images of Jesus Christ in the whole Bible. Jesus is not pictured as some willy-nilly, namby-pamby, happy-go-lucky, hippie-dippy warm and fuzzy pacifist, which is so popular in our culture today. When Jesus returns from heaven, he is not going to go for a walk in the garden to smell the roses—he is not coming back as a big buddy to pat people on the back and tell them what a good job they did—he is not coming to form a picket line and protest the injustice in the world.
He is coming as the conquering King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is coming to execute justice on the earth. He is coming to pour out his wrath on everyone who has not put their trust in his name! Make no mistake about it! He is the great warrior Messiah who is coming to make war on the world—the real war of the worlds!
The Actions of the Conquering King (17-21)
Now that we have seen the character of the conquering king, let us take note of the actions of the conquering king! This section starts out with a gruesome image of an angel calling out to the birds of the air and inviting them to join in the great supper of God, but this is a different supper from the wedding feast of the Lamb. This is an invitation to the scavenger birds of the earth (vultures, buzzards, ravens, crows, etc.) to gather for the feast of carcasses of kings, generals, mighty men, and horses and their riders, and all people who will be slaughtered in the great end-time war of the worlds.
Once the birds have been warned, Satan’s two demonic agents, the beast and the false prophet, gather their armies from the earth to make war against Jesus and the armies of heaven. As the armies face off, the beast and the false prophet are immediately captured and thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, which is a reference to hell, the place of eternal punishment and damnation.
Then, in one of the most anti-climactic verses in the Bible, before the battle even begins, the sword comes out of Jesus’ mouth and wipes out the entire earthly army. Like a nuclear bomb exploding over a city, the battle is over before it even began. The army of heaven doesn’t have to do anything; they just stand there and watch their commander-in-chief destroy all of their enemies, and just as it was predicted, the birds gorge themselves on a feast of fleshly corpses.
Revelation 19 tells the tale of two suppers. At Christ’s second coming, everyone alive will participate in one banquet or another. Those who belong to Christ will enjoy the wedding supper of the Lamb; those who belong to the beast will be on the menu for the great supper of God. This chapter raises the question for all of us: which banquet will you attend?
Today we are challenged to recognize the character of the conquering king by the titles and descriptions of the rider on the white horse. We are also challenged to reckon with the actions of the conquering king whereby he executes judgment on all who do not belong to him.
As I said earlier, Orson Wells’ War of the Worlds in 1938 was a hilarious hoax! The war of the worlds when Jesus’ returns couldn’t be more serious! Is your soul ready for the return of Christ? Which army are you in—the beast’s or the Lamb’s?