What does Revelation 19:13 mean?
Jesus has returned, this time as a conquering King and the unquestioned Lord of lords. John observes that Jesus' robe was dipped in blood. This is not a reference to the blood He shed on the cross for our sins. Rather, given the military context of this vision, it is the blood of his enemies. Isaiah 63:2–3 prophesies this event with a question and an answer. Verse 2 asks: "Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?" Verse 3 provides the answer: "I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel."At His first coming Jesus filled the role of the Lamb of God and shed His blood for our sins. At His second coming He will fill the role of the Lion of the tribe of Judah and devour His enemies because of their sins. As He roars against His foes, another of His names is prominent: "the Word of God." This title clearly identifies the rider on a white horse here as Jesus, who came to earth the first time as God in the flesh but was rejected by the world (John 1:1–2, 10–11, 14).
Revelation 19:11–21 presents one of Scripture's most spectacular moments of victory: the second coming of Jesus Christ. In this event, Christ returns to earth at the close of the tribulation. At His first coming to earth, Jesus appeared as a baby and sacrificial Savior. This time, He arrives as King of kings and Lord of lords. Many prior Scriptures prophesied this epic day of victory (Matthew 25; Zechariah 14:1–4; 2 Thessalonians 2:7–12; Hebrews 9:27–28; Jude 1:14–15). Christ arrives in a blaze of glory, obliterating His enemies single-handedly, at the head of the armies of heaven. The Antichrist and False Prophet become the first two cast into the lake of fire, ushering in the beginning of Christ's millennial reign on earth.
Revelation 19 begins with a multitude in heaven singing a doxology to God. He is praised for judging religious Babylon and avenging the martyrs. They are joined by the twenty-four elders (Revelation 4). Voices cry out joyfully that the Lord reigns and the marriage supper of the Lamb is ready. Then, John sees heaven open and observes Jesus—now coming as the glorious and invincible King of kings and Lord of lords—as He descends from heaven to execute judgment. The armies of earth gather to battle the Lord. The battle concludes with the Antichrist and False Prophet being thrown into the lake of fire and the graphic slaughter of their followers.
