Bible Commentaries
Revelation 19

Introduction

Christ and the Fall of Babylon. Chapters 17–19 (1 John 2:17)

This is the sixth parallel section. The central idea is: “The world and everything in it that men desire is passing away.” We once again return to the First Coming. Chapter 17 shows the nature and history of the prostitute; chapter 18 shows the inevitable, complete, irrevocable downfall and ruin of her; chapter 19 shows heaven celebrating God’s victory over the prostitute.

Verses 1-4

1–4.

Like the load voice of a great crowd. The angels praise God for what he has done! They declare that in judging Babylon, God has completed the saving of his people. All opposition has been crushed forever! The twenty-four elders. These symbolize all God’s people (see note on Revelation 4:3-6), and they join in praising God for his judgment of the prostitute. The four living creatures join in also! (See note on Revelation 18:20.)

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

Verse 5

5.

The sound of a voice, saying. A solo voice, perhaps one of the angels. All – angel or man – are called upon to Praise our God!

Verse 6

6.

Then I heard. He uses different symbols to describe the voice of praise directed to God!

Verses 7-8

7–8.

For the time has cornel Here is the reason for rejoicing! The time has come for the Wedding of Christ and his church! This Wedding Feast will last through all Eternity! [Compare Isaiah 51:1-3; Isaiah 54:1-5; Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 2:32; Hosea 2:1; Matthew 9:15; John 3:29; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:32 : Revelation 21:9. )

Verses 9-10

9–10.

Write this: Happy are those. One of the beatitudes of Revelation. See also Revelation 1:3; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:14. Worship God. John is ready to worship the speaker, but he is told to worship God! No one else is to be worshiped. The judgment of the beast and the false prophet.

Verse 11

11.

There was a white horse. The Rider is Christ at his Second Coming. [The white horse and Rider of the first seal are Christ conquering through his church in this world (see Revelation 6:2).]

Verses 12-16

12–16.

A symbolic picture (like “modern art”) is painted of Christ. Fire: fierce destruction. Crowns: power and honor. Name: authority. Robe . . . covered with blood: slaughter, vengeance. The Word of God: his identity (John 1:1). Sword: slaughter – the power to defeat. White hones: victory. White linen: purity, being “not guilty.” King of Kings and Lord of Lords: he is the highest of all (Philippians 2:9)!

Verses 17-18

17–18.

Come. So certain is the victory of Christ, that an angel already calls the birds to come feast on the slaughtered kings and armies!

Verse 19

19.

Gathered to fight against. This is “Armageddon.” We meet this battle four times in Revelation (see also Revelation 11:7-13; Revelation 16:12-16; Revelation 20:7-10). Note that the armies of heaven do not wear armor or carry weapons (Revelation 19:14). No battle is fought. When the forces of evil are all prepared to destroy the forces of heaven (the church), “fire came down from heaven and destroyed them” (Revelation 20:9). See note on Revelation 16:12.

Verses 20-21

20–21.

The beast was taken prisoner. See what happens to the beast and the false prophet and those who follow them.