In the movie “Return of the King” there is not only the display of magnificent skills in architectural models, animation and special effects, but reviews by Christian writers also point out the many powerful biblical themes as well.  J.R.R. Tolkien, author of “Lord of the Rings”, was a devout Catholic who had projected his faith in his books.  One can see the great moral principles in the constant spiritual battles between good and evil. The ring that represents sin is depicted as a powerful but sinister object created by the evil Sauron who represents Satan.  The ring must be forsaken and destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom – hellfire before peace can finally come to the Middle Earth – representing our present world.  Some even considered “Lord of the Ring” as a masterpiece in Christian literature. 

In one of the battle scenes, the king, Aragorn, returned with a great army of horsemen on white horses to fight and conquer the orcs.  The author probably drew inspiration from the vision that the apostle John saw in Revelation 19:11-16:

“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.

The horseman on a white horse is identified as the Lord Jesus Christ who is “Faithful and True” (Rev. 1:5, 3:7, 14).

The “white horse” in this verse symbolizes the Restored Apostolic Church in the End Time.  The “white horse” Revelation 6:2 represents the original Apostolic Church in the First Century. 

In Scriptures the color white symbolizes purity (Psm. 51:7; Isa. 1:18; Ecc. 9:8; 2 Chr. 5:12).  A white horse is a pure thorough-bred that travels, sends messages and is used for battles.  The “white horse” in both Revelation 6:2 and 19:11 represent the Apostolic Church that is pure and is under the control of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.” (Rev. 19:14)

The “armies in heaven” consists of Saints of God who are “In the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6).  Their “citizenship is in heaven” (Php. 3:20).

“These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.  And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Rev. 14:4-5)

Great armies of Restored Apostolic congregations, ministries and ministers follow the model and pattern established by the Restored Apostolic Church in the End Time that is symbolized by the second horseman on the white horse.  Although these autonomous and independent entities are scattered throughout the earth yet their Head is the Lord Jesus Christ and they have uniformity in their religious faith, doctrines and practices (Eph. 4:3-6).

Our Lord Jesus Christ prophesied, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Mt. 24:14)  Just ten years ago it was difficult to see how this prophecy could be fulfilled without sending out missionaries to every nation on earth.  It was almost impossible to establish a Christian church in Afghanistan when the Taliban regime ruled that country.  Praise and thank God for America’s invasion and victory in Afghanistan and with the Taliban no longer in control the Christian missionaries are now able to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in that country again.

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth – to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people – saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Rev. 14:6)

Angels are powerful and obedient ministers or messengers of God (Psm. 103:20; Heb. 1:14).  They guide God’s people in their activities (Gen. 24:7).  Angels directed the disciples where to go and preach the gospel (Act 6:19-20; 8:26).  Here in Revelation 14:6 is the angel of world evangelism. He directs ministers to use new technologies for evangelism.

The new communication technologies have revolutionized our world. News and pictures travel around the world in seconds.  One mouse click and the whole world, even the most remote places, are inter-connected - and the same holds true for God’s missionary work.

There are new forms of mission work: the evangelization via satellite TV, Christian movies on DVD, Bibles and theological literature available on the Internet even in "closed" countries, chat rooms provide discreet discussion rounds with people from all countries, evangelistic programs on an interactive web-page and theological training through email.

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev. 19:16)

In His First Advent Jesus came as a babe in the manger and He was rejected as the King of the Jews.  In His Second Advent this same Jesus comes as the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev. 19:16)

“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.” (Rev. 19:19)

This is the last war called “Armageddon” (Rev. 16:16). 

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out of the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Rev. 16:13-14)

One of the chief characteristics of the frog is to reproduce at an enormous rate, therefore the ancient Egyptians worshiped the frog as one of their gods of fertility.  Ironically God used the frog to punish the Egyptians in the second plague. (Ex. 8:1-15)  The frog is an unclean creature and they are not to be eaten nor used as sacrifice to the One True God.

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.” 

There are three types of demonic spirits that wage war against the Lord Jesus Christ and His armies. The “dragon” is “the serpent of old, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.” (Rev. 12:9)  The “beast” is the “Antichrist” who controls the world’s religions, politics and economy (Rev. 13:11-18).  The “false prophets” are those that prophesy falsely.  They prophesy peace to unbelievers of the One True God (Jer. 23:16-17).  They even prophesy, cast out demons and do many wonderful works in Jesus’ name (Mt. 7:22-23).  They teach lies that are false doctrines (Jer. 28:16).  They are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Mt. 7:15).  Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “You will know them by their fruits. . . “therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (Mt. 7:16-20) 

The war of Armageddon is fought on two fronts. First, it is a spiritual war that is fought between the saints of God and the demonic spirits.  This is a global war where the battlefield can be in the Christian’s mind, within the family, in the school classroom, in the work place, in governments, congresses or parliaments, within nations or in the United Nations Organization. The issues of conflict are varied.  They range from issues such as whether or not God exists to prayer in the school classroom, abortion, same-sex marriage or the Ten Commandments.

Armageddon is also a literal and physical war that is to be fought by armies, navies and air forces with guns, tanks, battleships, warplanes and weapons of mass destruction that include nuclear bombs, biological and chemical agents that can kill millions of people in one strike.  The frightening thing about this war is that no country is safe and immune to it because the prophecy states all nations are involved in it.

“For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out of the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Rev. 16:14)

After the 911 attack on America there is more information on the extreme Islamic militant groups such as the Al Queda that is under the leadership of Usama bin Laden who has sworn to destroy Israel, America and her allies.  With the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq it has become clear who the main combatants were.  According to biblical prophecy Jerusalem in Israel will be the major issue of contention (Zec.14:1-2).   Great armies of two hundred million combatants will be involved in this war  and one-third of mankind will be killed (Rev. 9:13-18).  No sane nation wants to go to war and be totally annihilated, but this war is caused by the “the spirits of demons.”   When these nations fight against one another it will be a very sad day for the whole world. 

The “great day of God Almighty God” is the day when the total redemptive plan and purpose of God will be consummated in both salvation and judgment.  It signals the return of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

“Behold, I am coming as a thief.  Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Rev. 16:15)

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  Therefore you be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.”     (Mt. 24:42-44)

He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Rev. 22:20-21)