Bible Commentaries
Revelation 19

Verses 1-13

RETURN OF THE BRIDEGROOM AND THE CONSUMMATION OF THE KINGDOM
THE BRIDEGROOM ARRIVES

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. Revelation 19:11

With Babylon's fall, a mighty chorus of praise arises from the courts of heaven. The multitudes of heaven shout, "…Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." (19:1-2). Heaven is ecstatic over her fall, because Babylon will no longer corrupt the earth with her adulteries. At last, the blood of God's saints shed by her is avenged. The spiritual world will now probably lose much of its apparent complexity and difficulty.

Heaven's worship continues as the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fall down in praise to the Lord, crying "Amen, Hallelujah!" (19:4). Then all God's servants, a mighty multitude, cry out "…Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!" (19:6-7). Heaven is delighted that the reign of God is becoming complete in the earth at long last.

The heavenly multitudes now announce an event of utmost importance, "For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready" (19:7). It is interesting that as soon as the harlot Babylon is judged, the wedding of the Lamb begins to take place. We cannot clearly see the True Bride until the False Bride is taken out of the way.

In that day, God will have his people. There will be no mixture in them, for they will not be defiled with Babylon. They will follow the Lamb wherever he goes (Revelation 14:4) and they will be forever clothed in God's righteousness (19:8). We notice in Ephesians 4:24 and Colossians 3:12, that it is the Bride who clothes herself and makes herself ready for this holy wedding.^(F1)

Thus there is much preparation for the church to make. Christ has provided the lovely garments of salvation, but the Bride has the responsibility of putting them on. These are the garments of praise; the robes of righteousness, etc.

These provided garments include the good works foreordained for the saints. The invited guests are blessed (19:9) and heaven prepares for the Lamb's marriage.

Verse 14

THE LORD AND HIS ARMIES

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

The Bridegroom of this glorious wedding now appears from heaven on a white horse (19:11). Accompanying him are the armies of heaven. This is likely the focal point of the whole book of Revelation.

It seems however, that before the wedding can actually proceed and be consummated, the Lord must dispatch all his enemies. In fact, we realize that the wedding stretches over a rather lengthy period of time, even through the coming Millennium (cf. 21:2). The heavenly rider is called "Faithful and True" (19:11) and the war he will lead is a just war.

He is described as having eyes of blazing fire and with many crowns upon his head (19:12). Perhaps he is coming from Edom as the scripture hints (Isaiah 34:1-10; Habakkuk 3:3). He will likely come after first destroying the heart of anti-Semitism in the Middle East. As he comes, his garments are already dipped in the blood of his enemies (19:13; cf. Isaiah 63:1-6). He has a mysterious name written on him that no one but he himself knows. He is also called the "Word of God."

In Psalm 45:3-6, this mighty heavenly Messiah is described, "Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom."

The armies of heaven follow him, dressed in fine linen and riding on white horses. As we see, all God's holy ones, past and present, have a part in his coming. We are told that the Lord Jesus will come with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Undoubtedly it is these who are arrayed in white (cf. 19:8). The saints who are still alive at his appearing will be instantly changed and will rise to meet him. They will then join in his great army (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). As Jude 1:14 says, "…See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones." Ancient Israelites believed that they would be a part of this great end-time drama.^(F2)

According to Psalm 149:6-9, we see clearly that God's saints will have something to do with the punishment of the wicked. The Psalmist says, "May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the LORD" (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:6).

Later during the Millennium we see God's overcomers seated on thrones and given great authority to judge. We also see those beheaded for their testimony, coming to life and reigning with Christ for the thousand-year period (Revelation 20:4).

We must take note of the Lord's direction and purpose as he appears. He is coming to take complete charge of this rebellious planet, and his authority and kingdom will never end. He is not making a "divine Dunkirk" rescue operation for his defeated saints, but rather coming for and with his victorious ones. Many of these have already endured great persecution and even martyrdom for his cause. We can safely say that all have taken uphis cross.

Out of the Bridegroom's mouth comes the sharp two-edged sword of the word (Isaiah 11:4). With this word he smites the nations (19:15). The Bridegroom now unleashes the pent-up heavenly displeasure with sinners as "…he treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty" (19:15). There is no mistaking his identity, for "On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (19:16).

Verse 15

ARMAGEDDON FINALLY COMES

Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations… Revelation 19:15

The stage is now set for the long-prophesied battle to end the age. This of course is the Battle of Armageddon (cf. 16:16). Long ago the prophets had spoken of this great end-day battle (Zechariah 14:1-3; Zephaniah 3:8). Armageddon (Hebrews Har Megiddo) at the foot of the Carmel mountain range seems representative of so many of Israel's great battles fought in the past at the Jezreel Valley (Judges 5:19-20;2 Kings 23:29-30). Still today this valley is a very strategic sight, and an ideal place for enemies to cut the land of Israel into two parts.

An angel of heaven now summons the birds of prey that they may gorge themselves on the flesh of generals, mighty men and all people small and great (19:17-18). We note from scripture that all the nations of earth will be represented here (Joel 3:2). It will no doubt be an impressive display of the world's combined military might.

In Isaiah 34:2-3, we seem to have a description of this great contest, "The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter. Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will stink; the mountains will be soaked with their blood." We cannot miss the fact that although the saints have now been raised with their eternal spiritual bodies, there will still be much flesh and blood on the earth.

Although the contest with the Beast is now at hand (19:19), it proves to be no contest at all. In contrast to its long and impressive build-up, this battle has a quick and decisive end. The Beast is immediately taken prisoner and along with him the False Prophet so responsible for his rise to power. Both are thrown alive into the lake of burning sulfur (19:20). Their armies are quickly killed by the sword of the word. Then the birds of heaven receive their promised banquet on the flesh of the mighty (19:21).

Isaiah 27:1 also speaks of this great battle, "In that day, the LORD will punish with his sword – his fierce, great and powerful sword – Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea." Of course, we remember from Revelation 13 that this monster who comes up out of the sea is the Beast or Antichrist.

This great prophetic battle will bring devastation upon all nations of the earth. In Micah 7:16-17, the prophet speaks of this awful time and has this to say, "Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will put their hands over their mouths and their ears will become deaf. They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in fear to the LORD our God and will be afraid of you." (cf. Psalm 76:1-12).

Perhaps we may wonder at this point why the Lord is so angry with the nations. Isaiah 34:8 may give us a clue, "For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion's cause." Although we may not be able to comprehend the full scope of this anger we can be sure that part of it is a simmering rage over the way nations have treated his chosen people and his chosen land. Of course God is no doubt also angry over the way nations have rejected his saving gospel and his Messiah.

We might assume that the Antichrist's speedy and disastrous fall at this point is partly because both he and his system have already been judged with Babylon. After all, it was upon this beastly Antichrist system that the woman Mystery Babylon had taken her seat.

Verse 15

UNDERSTANDING JESUS' COMING

Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Revelation 19:15

Verses 16-21

WHAT THE EARLIEST CHRISTIANS BELIEVED ABOUT HIS COMING

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16

In Acts 3:19-21 we hear some early preaching concerning the coming of the Lord, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."

It might be advantageous for us to pause here for a few moments and review some other things that the immediate followers of Jesus believed about the coming of the Lord. This will help us fill in some of the blanks here in Revelation. Several things stand out, especially as we thumb through the epistles.

These earliest Christians believed that they should eagerly wait for his coming; and that it was important for the Lord to keep them strong for that event (1 Corinthians 1:7-8). They believed that the one who had begun the work in them would complete it until the day of his coming (Phil. 1:6). They were certain that when Christ appeared, Christians would appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:4). Actually it was Paul's great joy to think of presenting the saints complete at Christ's coming (1 Thessalonians 2:19). In regard to that coming, early Christians were instructed to always watch and be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

We should note here that in the New Testament, the Greek words for his coming are apparently not distinguished. The words "Epiphany" (appearing), "Parousia" (advent), "hemera" (day), and "Apocalypse" (revelation) are all used interchangeably. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 3:13, we learn that the day (hemera) shall reveal (apokalupto) every man's work. In 2 Timothy 4:8, the righteous are crowned on that day (hemera) – also those who love his appearing (epiphania).

We see the themes of his coming repeated over and over in the epistles. The early Christians believed that Jesus would be glorified in his saints and admired by them when he appeared (2 Thessalonians 1:10). In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prayed that the saints be preserved blameless unto the coming. As is seen in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, they strongly believed that the rebellion and the appearing of Antichrist had to first happen before the Lord could appear.

In 2 Timothy 1:12, we see that Paul expected that he would be kept against that day through his obedience to the Lord. In 2 Timothy 2:12, Paul says that if believers endure, they will reign with Christ, but if they deny him, he will deny them. These earliest Christians expected that a crown of life would be given on that day to those who longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). But they knew they must say "no" to all ungodliness while they looked for his coming (Titus 2:12-13).

New Testament believers expected to be shielded by God's power as they awaited the salvation that would be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5). They felt that the trials of their faith would result in praise and glory at the appearing (1 Peter 1:7); and that grace would be given to them at that time (1 Peter 1:13). Peter, like Paul, knew that believers would receive a crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd appears (1 Peter 5:4). We see in 2 Peter 3:10-13, that while Jesus will come like a thief, still the elements will be destroyed at his coming.

They looked forward to a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells. God's early saints knew they should be a holy people as they waited for him; that they should abide in him, lest they be ashamed at his coming (1 John 2:28).

They knew that when he appeared they would be like him (1 John 3:2-3). The Elder John felt that those who have this hope should purify themselves (1 John 3:3). It is clear that the earliest Christians were eagerly waiting for the mercy that brings eternal life (Jude 1:21). They knew that Jesus was able to keep them and present them faultless before his presence (Jude 1:24). They knew that even if the world and its lusts passed away, they would abide forever (1 John 2:17).

It is truly amazing that while these earliest Christians knew that terrible times were coming in connection with the Lord's appearance, they nevertheless were filled with an overflowing, exuberant joy and hope while they awaited his coming. This joy and hope likely has something to do with the crown of righteousness awaiting them and with the prospect of sharing the reign of Christ upon this earth.

How different it is in the church today. While the early church waited eagerly to greet the Lord in victory, the modern church waits to be rescued from defeat.