We note in the nineteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation that the Lord Jesus and His army will return on horses.

The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14—NIV)

Whether these are actual horses, or the glorified saints who have the ability to appear as though on horses ("they have the appearance of horses"), we cannot say. We do understand it will be a powerful cavalry charge, perhaps descending to the dried-up bed of the Euphrates River and attacking Antichrist from there.

The horse in the Bible speaks of speed and strength for war. The return of Christ and His saints is a far different scenario than that of lukewarm believers being carried up to Heaven in their party clothes, business suits, and overalls.

With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle. (Joel 2:5—NIV)

Can you imagine the consternation of the wicked of the earth, as well as the sinners in Zion, when they see the righteous, from Abel on forward through history, returning in irresistible power to enforce God's way on the earth?

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isaiah 33:14)

Today there is a mixed multitude, so to speak, in the assemblies of the saints. Many among us are carnal, actually wicked at heart. Yet we are so spiritually impoverished we cannot discern what is of God and what is not. But when the Lord returns, the wicked will be judged and driven from the house of the Lord.

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men [the sinners in the churches]: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." (Jude 1:14,15—NIV)

Because of false teaching in the Evangelical churches we are without the spirit of judgment, of discernment. Adultery, covetousness, and self-seeking abound in the Christian assemblies. Yet the party goes on and on.

It will not be like this when the Lord returns. The wicked will be cast out of the midst of the churches. In fact, the great tribulation that will take place before the return of Jesus will serve to remove the true saints from the babylonish assemblies, and also to remove the blemishes from the members of the Bride that are alive on the earth and make them dependent on the Lord.

Much needs to be done in the way of cleansing the Christian churches. The Lord is knocking at the hearts of the believers today seeking entrance. But who shall stand when He thus appears because He is a refiner's fire come to purify the royal priesthood? It is an hour of judgment, of baptism with fire.

To be continued.