Jesus is the Rider on the White Horse
Four Names of the Righteous Warrior Who Will Return to Reign on Earth
Aaron Lee | April 27, 2025 | FCBCW Children’s Worship | Revelation 19:11-16, 1:5-6
Introduction
How do you treat Jesus?
In our text today, Jesus is coming down from heaven to rule and reign on earth. We’re going to see four names of Jesus so that we can know him and recognize him when he returns. His names tell us who he is and how we should treat him as we wait for his return.
1. Faithful and True
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. (Revelation 19:11)
We see heaven opened, and Jesus is coming down from heaven to rule and reign on earth. He is riding a white horse, white being the color of victory, and we see the first name: Faithful and True. We usually think about Jesus riding on a donkey, an animal of peace. But here we see Jesus riding on a horse, an animal of war. He is coming to conquer. Earlier in Revelation, Jesus is called the faithful and true witness – he is trustworthy and we can take him at his word, we can believe him. In righteousness he judges and makes war – meaning that he is not wrong in doing this. Sin is something that is a part of war when humans are fighting. But when Jesus fights, his war is not wrong. It is righteous and just because he is God. He is perfectly holy. His judgements and he who he makes war upon are right.
Application
Jesus is a witness to be trusted. Jesus is shown to be a righteous warrior, something totally different than what we have seen of him before. Will you trust him?
2. A Name that No One Knows but Himself
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. (Revelation 19:12)
Jesus has eyes that are a fiery flame – eyes that can see through to the heart, eyes that can see the truth about a person. We see many crowns were on his head. In other places in Revelation, John is able to count how many crowns are on people’s heads. But here, he just says many – and I would like to think this means that he can’t even count how many crowns Jesus has. Jesus is unparalleled – you can’t measure or rank him. He’s on a totally different level, a totally different playing field. Jesus has a name that no one knows except himself. He can see you, he knows you – but you cannot totally know him. We can know what he chooses to tell us. But we cannot claim to know everything about him. He is totally “other” than us. We need to acknowledge and respect that.
Application
Will you have a holy fear of Jesus? Christ is holy and incomprehensible. Don’t ever think you figured him out. But also, don’t ever stop wanting to know more about Jesus. There is always something more to learn about him.
3. The Word of God
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 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 19:13-15)
His robe is dipped in blood, talking about the blood of his enemies but also his own blood as our sacrificial lamb on the cross. We learn all about this from his word. And we see an entire army of heaven following him, following the word, coming to rule and reign with him. From his mouth, the place that we speak, where words come out, is a sword. Christ’s word is a sword that strikes down and rules over enemies. The word of God has supreme authority.
Application
So, will you follow and obey Jesus? His word must have ultimate authority over your life.
4. King of Kings and Lord of Lords
He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:15-16)
So, will you repent from your sins and surrender to Jesus? Jesus is acting with the wrath of God here, it is a scary, dreadful picture. King of kings and Lord of lords means he is king over all kings, lord over all lords – the highest king. The highest lord. Absolute power. Surrendering to Jesus means giving your life totally over to him. Are there areas where you are unwilling to submit or not sure about what he says?
Application
Jesus has the power to do whatever he wants over everything. He is totally sovereign. Like a king. Will you submit to him?
Big Idea
Jesus is the rider on the white horse — the righteous warrior who will return to reign on earth.
Gospel
…and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)
For Christians, Jesus is still the lamb who loves us.
Conclusion
Will you love and worship Jesus? I pray that you will recognize Jesus upon his return.