Revelation 19:11; Faithful and True, and In Righteousness He Doth Judge and Make War

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Revelation 19:11 (KJV)  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 

The rider is both the judge and a warrior according to the last clause of v11. He discharges both responsibilities in accord with right principles – in righteousness He judes and make war. This is God’s was of judgment (cf. Revelation 15:3; 16:5, 7; 19:2).

Revelation 15:3 (KJV)  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 

Revelation 16:5 (KJV)  And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. 

Revelation 16:7 (KJV)  And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. 

Revelation 19:2 (KJV)  For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 

First, He reaches a just verdict regarding the beast, then He goes to war with him. This is the only kind of victory that can endure. The compromise kingdom offered Christ by Satan (Matthew 4:8-10) would not have lasted, because it would have sacrificed righteous principles (cf. Acts 17:31).

Matthew 4:8-10 (KJV)  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Acts 17:31 (KJV)  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 

This kind of war contrasts strongly with that waged by the beast (cf. Revelation 11:7; 13:7) (Swete).

Revelation 11:7 (KJV)  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 

Revelation 13:7 (KJV)  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 383]