Day 360: Revelation 19:11–21

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war (v. 11).

When I first wrote this little piece of creative writing several years ago, I really thought I understood from Revelation 19 that the wedding supper would precede Jesus’ second coming. But now that I look at the text, I’m not sure of that. It could be that it comes after, but I wrote this with the first understanding. It’s just a fictional writing anyway. I share the final portion of it with you just to get your mind going.

The horse’s coat was white with a luster like pearls. His mane was strands of gold. His eyes were like wine. His muscles ridged under his coat, displaying his impeccable condition. The Groom stared at him with approval, then smiled with familiarity as His hand stroked his mighty neck. Two cherubim brought forth a wooden chest laden with gold and brilliant jewels. Saints covered their eyes from the blinding light as they lifted the lid. The dazzling radiance was veiled as they brought forth a crimson robe from within and placed it upon the Groom’s shoulders. Gold tassels were tied around His neck, and the seraph spread forth His train. The words were embroidered in deep purple, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” His foot went in the stirrup, and the Faithful and True mounted His horse. The beast dipped his head as if to bow, then lifted it with an inexpressible assumption of responsibility. The Groom gently tugged the reins to the right and the animal turned with exemplary obedience.

Suddenly, a sound erupted like rolling thunder. The earth rumbled beneath their feet. The walls of the banquet hall gave way with a stunning thud. And encircling them were horses no man could count, winged and ready for flight. The four creatures—one with a face like a lion, one like an ox, one like a man, and one like a flying eagle—flew over the heads of the saints and sang the anthem, “All rise!” Each saint, dressed in white linen, rose from his chair and mounted his horse. The attentions of every saint were quickened by the Groom. His back still turned. His horse made ready. Suddenly, a vapor seeped from the ground and covered the hooves of the horse of Faithful and True. As the vapor rose to His thighs, the fog became a cloud enveloping the Rider inch by inch. Brilliance overtook Him, and He became as radiant as the sun. So great was His glory, the cloud rose to His shoulders and covered His head to shield the eyes of the saints.

The familiar surroundings of heaven were suddenly transformed, and the sky appeared under His feet. A deafening sound emitted from the middle of heaven like the slow rending of a heavy veil. The sky beneath their feet rolled by like a scroll, and the inhabitants of heaven were suspended in the earth’s atmosphere. The planet was their destiny. The Groom was their cue. The cloudy pillar that enveloped Him would plot their course.

With swiftness the cloud descended toward the Earth. The horses behind Him kept perfect cadence. The Earth grew larger as they made their final approach, and oceans could be distinguished from the nations. The Earth turned until Jerusalem faced upward. The cloudy pillar circled widely to the right for the Rider’s eastward arrival.

The sun interrupted the night as it rose upon the city of Zion and awakened every inhabitant in the land. The rays that poured through their windows were unlike those of any other morning. All who saw it sensed the imposing arrival of the supernatural. The wicked inhabitants of Jerusalem’s houses, those who had forced the people of God from their homes, shielded their eyes as they filled the city streets. All of Israel was awakened, and the valleys were filled with people gazing upward as much as their vision would permit to something awesomely beyond terrestrial. Emaciated humans filtered one by one from every cave and crevice—those who had not taken the mark of the beast. Their eyes tried to adjust to such sudden and abnormal gusts of light after hiding in the darkness for so long. Every eye looked upon the amazing cloudy pillar as it made its approach just east of the city of Zion.

The cloud stopped midair.

Suddenly the divine veil began to roll upward inch by inch, exposing first only the hooves of the great white horse then the feet of the Rider. They looked like burning brass in the stirrups. His crimson robe was exposed little by little until it seemed to blanket the sky. His name ascended above all names. The cloud lifted above His shoulder, and the knowledge of God was unveiled in the face of Jesus Christ. His eyes burned like fire into every heart. Those who had taken the mark of the beast ran for their lives, shoving the people of God out of the way as they took cover in the caves. The people of God’s covenant and those who had come to their aid remained in the light, entranced by the glorious sight. Moaning filled the air. The Rider on the white horse dismounted His beast, and His feet touched down on the Mount of Olives. The earth quaked with indescribable force. And all who were hiding lost their cover.

The large brown eyes of one small boy remained fixed upon the sight. The whiteness of his teeth contrasted with the filth covering his face as he broke into an inexperienced smile. He reached over and took his mother’s bony hands from her face and held them gently. “Look, Mom, no more crying. Surely that is our God. We trusted in Him and He saved us.” Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.