Christ in a Red Robe Rides on a White Horse
One of the most spectacular and descriptive passages about the second coming of Christ is Revelation 19:11-16. The second coming will occur during the battle of Armageddon at the end of the tribulation. When He comes, the holy angels and the New Testament believers will come with Him. So, Revelation 19:11-16 captures Jesus coming with the holy angels and the believers who are dressed in white, which symbolizes their holiness. The passage depicts Christ on a white horse and verse 13 describes Christ as wearing a robe dipped in blood. So, why is Jesus’ robe dipped with blood in this passage? Here is Revelation 19:11-16.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16 (NASB)
Here we are given a description of Christ at His second coming at the end of the battle of Armageddon at the end of the tribulation. When Christ returns, all the nations of the world will be gathered against Israel and half of the city of Jerusalem will have been conquered. The passage pictures Christ riding on a white horse. Zechariah 14:1-5 provides additional information about His second coming.
Behold, a day is coming for the LORD when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! Zechariah 14:1-5 (NASB)
We are given a summary description of the second coming in both passages. Zechariah 14 gives us more information about the situation. We are told that the city of Jerusalem will be in danger of being completely destroyed because the nations of the world will be gathered against Jerusalem. When the city is almost destroyed, then Jesus will descend on the east side of the city down to the Mount of Olives. Both passages reveal that the holy angels and New Testament believers will be coming with Him.
By combining both passages together, we learn that Christ’s robe will be dipped in blood as He descends from heaven to defeat the armies of the world that are gathered against the city of Jerusalem. The description in Revelation 19:11-16 adds that His name will be The Word of God, and then figuratively describes Him from His head downward. The prophet Zechariah adds that He is the “LORD, my God.” Christ will be our God. But why was Jesus’ robe dipped in blood? There are several opinions.
Blood Symbolizes Jesus’ Sacrifice
The first view that some hold to is that the blood represents the blood that Jesus shed during His crucifixion. They reason that the blood symbolizes Jesus’ vicarious sacrifice for our sins which frees believers from slavery to sin. It is understandable why some Bible teachers and believers hold to this view but there is nothing in this passage to support that view. There is nothing soteriological in the passage.
In addition, they say that since His robe already has blood on it and the battle of Aramageddon has not yet occurred, then it must refer to Jesus’ crucifixion. But this ignores the fact that Christ as the angel of the Lord has already been repeatedly victorious over Israel’s enemies many times in the past. Therefore, they have ignored the obvious. His robe has blood on it because of previous victories.
Neither passage is focused on salvation from eternal punishment in hell and offering anyone eternal life.
Blood Symbolizes Jesus As Victorious
The prophecy of Isaiah 63:1-7 offers a much better understanding of the Revelation passage because it uses imagery to refer to the Messiah as victor over the enemies of Israel. That is, prophecies already exist that speak of the Messiah’s garments sprinkled with blood. Isaiah 63:2-3 says,
“Why is Your apparel red,
And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press?
I have trodden the wine trough alone,
And from the peoples there was no man with Me.
I also trod them in My anger
And trampled them in My wrath;
And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments,
And I stained all My raiment.”
Isaiah 63:2-3 (NASB)
In the first part of this passage, the Messiah speaks. He describes His robe as colored red as the result of someone treading in a wine press. When a person treads in a wine press, the juice from the grapes splashes. So, the Messiah describes His garments as garments that are splashed with juice and are consequently colored red.
In the last part of the passage, the Messiah says He sprinkled His own garments. He stained them. This helps us understand Revelation 19:13 which refers back to the Isaiah passage. The verses before and after Isaiah 63:2-3, in addition to this passage, reveal that the red garments symbolize His victories over Israel’s past enemies. That is exactly what the angel of the Lord has done and the Messiah will do at the future battle of Armageddon. He will continue defending Israel and will defeat Israel’s enemies at that battle. Christ’s battles also include victories against sin, Satan, and death. He is victorious in all things.
So, the robe dipped in blood represents Christ as the Warrior-King against all earthly enemies, including Satan and the demons. He is also the Savior offering victory over sin and spiritual death. He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. He is the Lord, our God. So, as He descends to defeat all the nations of the world at the battle of Armageddon, His bloody robe communicates victory will occur!
Suggested Links:
Our Wait Is Over!God’s Timeline For The Future
What is the Battle of Armageddon? Which nations will be there?
Are Isaiah 63:1-6 and Revelation 19:11-21 about Armageddon?
From the Tribulation To Eternity In Heaven