In a world marked by turmoil and escalating conflicts, the prophetic vision in Revelation offers hope, reminding believers that Christ, the True Crown, will ultimately return to restore justice and peace.
The world is aflame: Russia and Ukraine are still at war; the prime minister of Israel has a warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court; Haiti has been taken over by a man named Barbecue; and a former US president is on trial for allegedly paying off a porn star.
We are living in turbulent times, and it seems that Covid was the moment that everything shifted. According to Terence Chorba, the word corona comes from the Latin word for “crown” and is representative of the monarchs of old whose crowns depicted the sun with its protruding rays, equating their power to that of the sun’s.[1]
Covid and the Rubicon
Why is this important? Well, prophetically, I believe the 2020 pandemic was the proverbial crossing of the Rubicon—the river that separated Rome from all its provinces and was to never be crossed by a Roman army. It was this action by Julius Ceasar which led to a civil war, ending with him naming himself its permanent dictator, the crown.[2]
Covid did for governments across the globe what no other democracy or republic had been able to do: wrestle away the civil liberties of a free people under the guise of their own protection. We were forbidden from gathering with more than ten people, and we were forced to receive vaccinations to participate in public life. Churches were shuttered and businesses became memories of the good ole days.
By the time George Floyd was murdered in cold blood by a heartless police officer, it was too late to put the horse back in the barn. The “Black Lives Matter” uprisings or riots—depending on who you are talking to—troubled the cold civil war that now looms across our nation. And the “Stop the Steal” protest or insurrection—depending on who you are talking to—at the US Capitol reminded us that we are still fighting the war of 1861. Thus, the rise of white nationalism hit us like a tsunami after receding underground. Consequently, the racism that was once covert has become overt, and the embers of civil war are being fanned by the rhetoric of the far left and the far right.
Time will not permit me to talk about the masked bandits that now terrorize our neighborhoods and downtowns, or the maniacs that now drive on our streets and highways, or the humanoids that prefer to film someone’s death rather than save his or her life. Again, I say, the world is aflame.
The “True” Crown
Despite the chaos we find ourselves living in, the apostle John reminds us that the true crown sits on the head of Jesus the Christ:
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:11–16 NKJV)
Revelation 19:11–16 is preceded by the destruction of “Babylon” (Rev. 18)—the religious, political, and economic epicenter of the antichrist’s rule—and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb between Christ and all the saints who are in heaven (Rev. 19:7–10), similar to our wedding reception. The culmination of these two events appears to be the trigger that initiates Jesus’s return to earth and two cosmic battles, one before His millennial reign (Rev. 19:11–20) and one before His eternal reign (Rev. 20:7–10).
This passage of Scripture should be an inspiration to every follower of Jesus Christ. It is a prophetic reminder that God has set an appointed time for Christ to overthrow the Satanic and secular powers of this world—for good. John depicts the sovereignty of Christ in unmistakable terms.
He rides a white horse, symbolizing His triumph.[3]
He has many crowns on His head, as opposed to the numbered crowns of the dragon (12:3) and the beast (13:1).
He has a secret name that prevents anyone from claiming access to His power.[4]
He has a sharp sword, symbolizing the execution of His judgment upon the nations.
He has an iron rod or scepter, depicting His rule over the nations.
He has the name of Supreme Ruler, i.e., King above all kings, and Lord above all lords.
Yearn for Christ’s Return
So, though the world may be aflame, we should not lose heart. Christ still sits at the right hand of the Father, and the day of His glorious return is drawing near. He will rid this world of crime, racism, injustice, and sin. What a day of rejoicing that will be! Until then, our responsibilities include remaining faithful to our allegiance to Christ, sharing the good news of His salvation with others, and looking with earnest expectation for His triumphant return.
John wrote his revelation as an inspiration to Christ-followers from the first century forward. We should read it with an attitude of gratitude, knowing that in the end, we win, because on Calvary, He won.
Dr. Isaac Hayes is an Assistant Pastor at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, Illinois, and author of Men After God’s Heart: 10 Principles of Brotherly Love. He also has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Follow Dr. Hayes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @RevIsaacHayes.
[3] John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 976.
[4] Alan F. Johnson, “Revelation,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 574.
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