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#55. Kings of kings, Lords of lords.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse (19:).
pp. 181 - 186
What event is it that demands an opened heaven? What event is it that must come at
the climax of revelation? Surely nothing less than the coming of the Lord in great power
and glory! Babylon has by this time fallen. Satan's last outpost has gone down with
terrific judgments. The universal dominion of the Beast gives way to the reign of the
King of kings. The harlot gives place to the bride, the Lamb's wife. The wicked city
passes away and the New Jerusalem is established.
Here at this moment is fulfilled the great bulk of Old Testament prophecy. Practically
with one voice the prophets cried to Israel, "Behold! Thy King cometh". Psa. 72: was
penned in the light of that glorious day when David's greater Son should reign in
righteousness and peace. To "see the King in His beauty" summarized the expectancy of
every believing heart. At last the Seer reaches that precious, that tremendous moment,
when heaven opens, and the heavenly rider comes forth. As He rides forth the seventh
trumpet rings out throughout the heavens, and great voices are heard crying out the glad
news:--
"THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF
OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST. And He shall reign for the ages of the ages.
Amen.......We give thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast; because Thou
hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned" (Rev. 11: 15-17).
The same voices go on further to say that this coming in glory to reign is associated
with the anger of the nations, the time of the judgment of the dead, the time for the
reward of the Lord's servants, and the time for the destruction of those who destroy the
earth (Rev. 11: 18, 19). These words are an epitome of Rev. 17:-20: In Rev. 11: 19 the
apostle said:--
"And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the
ark of His covenant."
This "opening" precedes the opening of heaven in chapter 19: God's covenant is
about to be fulfilled, and Christ, Who is now at the right hand of the throne of God in the
heavens, is "manifest in glory". As though to assure the fainting heart that these things
are sure of fulfillment, the rider of the white horse is called Faithful and True, and three
times does the narrative pause to declare the truthfulness of these sayings.
Rev. 17: 1 - 19: 9.--The harlot judged. The wife of the Lamb ready.
The angel's assurance.--"These are the true sayings of God."