What I will add here is one reason why I do not believe Revelation 19 talks of the physical return of Christ. To understand Rev 19 as being a description of the visible future 2nd advent of Christ seems to me to go beyond what the text says.
Nothing in Rev 19 clearly says that Christ comes DOWN to earth from heaven. First, it says “heaven opened” (v.11) indicating that John saw a vision (see 4:1). It does not say that heaven is opened for the purpose of Christ making his way down to earth. Also, the vision that John sees (of a rider and his white horse - v.11), has nothing that indicates that an advent is about to take place. To say so assumes too much. Neither does verse 14, which says, “the armies of heaven…were following him” prove that they were on their way down to earth. Again to say so one has to be read into it more than what it says.
Furthermore, verse 19 indicates that the opponents of the rider of the white horse were “gathered to make war against him.” At this point we must presume that this vision is still in “heaven” and has nothing to do with a visible 2nd advent. For who believes that when Christ returns his opponents are going to have enough time to gather an army ready to fight against his return? Especially if one considers that non-believers do not expect Christ to return, it appears strange that they will be capable of preparing a battle to prevent it. Also, it is more likely that at the coming of Christ, non-believers will fear so much, that they won’t be capable of preparing a battle against Christ. If John, a disciple of Christ, fell in fear as though dead when he saw a vision of him (1:17), how much more fear will Christ’s opponents have?
Therefore, I do not believe Rev 19 speaks of a future visible 2nd advent of Christ, as to say so goes beyond what chapter 19 says. If anything Rev 19 describes a spiritual battle between believers and non-believers here on earth, a battle in which Christ goes before us (19:14). |
