Revelation Chapter 19

Revelation Chapter 19

Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies

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Introduction: Revelation Chapter 19 is the climatic portion of the book. The chapter begins with much Praise to God. The marriage supper of the Lamb is described and then the return of Christ in power and great glory is described. John follows with cryptic details regarding the results of the battle of Armageddon as well as the doom of the antichrist and the false prophet.

I. John Hears Voices Praising the Lord from Heaven

(Rev 19:1) And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Some consider the chapter to be parenthetic, however the remainder of the book seems to be chronological, continuing after the destruction of Babylon. After the revelation of the judgment of the world system typified in Babylon, the setting changes dramatically. Of note is John’s comment of “much people in heaven.” In Revelation 4 and 5 the great anthems of praise to God were by the twenty-four elders and angelic choruses. Here it is “much people in heaven.”

This may include Old Testament saints. In verse 7, this group speaks of the church in the third person. Among these also may be the great multitude saved and martyred during the Tribulation. It likely is all the redeemed in heaven minus the church who so praise God. The word alleluia is actually a Hebrew word and is not translated but transliterated. In Hebrew it means, ‘praise ye the Lord.’

Fifteen of the Psalms begin or end with this word. This great heavenly chorus continues with a fourfold hymn of praise: (1) Salvation, and (2) glory, and (3) honour, and (4) power unto the Lord out God.

(Rev 19:2) 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.

(Rev 19:3) And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

This great heavenly chorus continues. 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. Indeed, God’s judgments are true and righteous. This was manifested in His judgment of “the great whore”—the world system, typified in the final form of Babylon.

As this end-time wicked city had corrupted the nations of the earth with her immoral influence, God finally destroyed it and the world system it represented.

In so doing, He avenged the blood of His servants down through the ages slain at the hand of the world’s system.

This great chorus in verse 3 again cries, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. Reference is made back to 18:18 and the burning of end-time Babylon. Quite evidently, God will allow the smoke of this wicked city to rise from its ruins throughout the Millennium as a reminder of His judgement against the former wicked world system.

Men are unfortunately cursed with sin since the fall of Adam in the garden. When preachers preach the truth, many times it offends the lost, but sometimes it even offends the saved as the Holy Spirit tugs at our hearts with conviction.

Last week my brother gave me a book for my birthday. It is called Adrianisms which are quotes from the great Baptist preacher Adrian Rogers. I want to share one that I really liked with you today.

“I know some of you don’t like what I’ve said. If I have made any of you angry, just come up to me after the sermon and apologize. I will forgive you.”

(Rev 19:4) And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

(Rev 19:5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

The four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. The twenty-four elders described in chapter 4 and 5 fall before the throne along with the four angelic creatures about the throne. Together, they worship God, perhaps as an antiphonal chorus with the great company of the redeemed above. Their response is as simple as it is profound. To the great praise ascribed to God, they can only utter, “Amen, Alleluia!”

A voice came out of the throne in verse 5, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. The voice is not identified, but apparently is a high ranking angel. His injunction is simple. “Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him.” All of high or low estate together are so directed. The consummation of the age is at hand.

(Rev 19:6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

(Rev 19:7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

In conjunction with all of this, John wrote, And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The response of the aggregate choruses of heaven, God’s servants small and great, along with the angelic realm of all rank, resound forth as a great multitude in heaven. Their collective voices were as “the voice of many waters.” The analogy is drawn to the roar of the driving surf or of all the Niagras of the earth.

So great is the chorus of praise to God in heaven. It further is likened to the “voice of mighty thunderings.” Again the analogy is drawn from the earth. The response of praise to God from the angel’s order is like the echoing, ground-shaking power of ear-splitting thunder. Jesus Christ is about to seize control of the earth. He is about to return in power and great glory.

The day of Christ is at hand. Therefore, the assembled throngs in heaven exult, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Of interest is the word translated as omnipotent (pantokrator pantokrator). It is more frequently rendered as ‘the almighty.’ Christ’s rule and reign on the earth is about to begin.

The subject now shifts to the marriage of the Lamb in verse 7. This event may be portrayed as an adjunct parallel truth to the chronological flow of thought. The time and place of the marriage supper is in heaven while the Tribulation runs its course on the earth. Recorded is the blessed announcement of the impending wedding of the church and her great Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

Some have suggested the Millennium is the wedding supper and honeymoon for Christ and His church. The combined heavenly chorus cry out, Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. The greatest, royal wedding of all time past, present, or future is about to take place. The heavenly chorus therefore urges gladness, rejoicing and honor to God. Why? “For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”

Without question, the Lamb is Jesus Christ. (See John 1:29). His wife is none other than the assembled church in heaven.

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Paul makes clear this is the church in II Corinthians 11:2 and Ephesians 5:25-32. Jesus Christ will be officially joined to His bride in the wedding of the ages.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

The Jewish custom of a wedding taking place in the home of the groom lends credence to the view that this blessed event will take place in heaven prior to Christ’s return.

(Rev 19:8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

(Rev 19:9) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

In fashion reserved for no other entity, the church is described, And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. In elegant metaphor, the imputed righteousness of the saints (the church), is described as “fine linen, clean and white.”

Of interest is the word translated as clean (kayarov katharos). It is most frequently translated as ‘pure.’ Though our sins have been as scarlet and red as crimson, He has washed us in the blood of the lamb and made us white as snow.

Though righteous in our position in Christ, it is incumbent upon us therefore to live a life which is pure and clean in the meantime.

The one speaking here in verse 9 is identified in verse 10 as a fellow servant and spiritual brother to John. He may be one of the elders as noted in 7:13. He told John to write, “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” There is no unanimity as to whom this invitation is extended. Some take the position it is addressed to mankind still of this age, whence the Book of Revelation is directed. If that be the case, it remains an open invitation to come to Christ, even as the final invitation of the book is recorded in 22:17.

Others take the position that the church at this point is already assembled in heaven and the invitation is extended to those who would come as guests to the wedding supper. That likely would be converted Israel and perhaps gentile members of the family of God. Jesus’ several parables of wedding feasts in Matthew 22:1-14 and 25:1-13 lend credence to this position. The only problem with the latter view is that if the wedding supper is in heaven during the Tribulation, Israel for the most part is still on the earth. That has led some to take the position the actual wedding supper will be during the Millennium.

John’s host comments, “These are the true sayings of God.” The word translated as sayings (logov logos) is most commonly rendered as ‘words.’ Thus these are the words of God.

(Rev 19:10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

John “fell at his feet to worship him.” His host straitly admonished him, “See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus.” It is apparent this one is not an angel for he informs John that he is a fellow-servant of God and one his brethren spiritually who had the testimony of Jesus.

No where in Scripture are angels otherwise ever presented as spiritual brethren or as witnesses of Christ. As mentioned above, this may have been one of the elders before the throne assigned to lead John about heaven. See Revelation 7:13.

Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

He refused worship. Rather, he directed John to “worship God.” His closing comment is of interest: “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The thought is somewhat of a mystery. Some hold that all prophecy ultimately focuses upon Jesus, or that the witness of Jesus is the essence of prophecy. Others suggest that the testimony (witness) of Jesus is the focal point of all prophecy. Both thoughts are closely related.

The greater truth likely is that at the heart of all prophecy is the person of Jesus Christ. He is the key to its understanding as is the Book of Revelation. An unsaved person cannot make heads nor tails of this apocalyptic book. The secret to its understanding is the witness of Jesus—coming to know Him as Savior. Then it all starts to come into focus.

II. A White Horse Appears Ridden by Him called Faithful and True

(Rev 19:11) 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 return of Christ in power and great glory is at hand. Whether John is now writing from an earthly perspective or still in heaven is not clear. It would seem, however, that he is now writing from the vantage of the earth and looking up to heaven. He thus records, 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.

What a contrast to Christ’s first coming. Then, He came in humility and weakness as a babe. He came then in grace and meekness offering Himself to Israel riding upon a colt of a donkey. When He returns in power, it will be “in flaming fire taking vengeance” on His enemies (II Thessalonians 1:8).

2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Several of His numerous names are noted as “Faithful and True.” Moreover, He comes to judge and make war. However, such retribution is altogether in righteousness, His defining characteristic. He rides across the atmospheric heavens in great glory before engaging the assembled armies of the world at Armageddon.

(Rev 19:12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

(Rev 19:13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

John goes on to describe,” His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” In fashion reminiscent of Revelation 1:14, His eyes are described as fire which may be indicative of His righteous wrath. The word translated as crowns (diadhma diadema) refers to the crown of royalty.

The fact He will wear many may relate to the fact that the dragon wore a crown on each of his seven heads (12:3) and the beast had crowns on each of his ten horns (13:1). Jesus as King of Kings is greater than all and wears the multiplicity of crowns, indicating He is over all. Throughout the Scripture, many names and titles are ascribed to our Lord. When He returns, He will have a name as yet not revealed. Where this name is written we are not told. However, the 144,000 had the Father’s name written on their foreheads.

The followers of the antichrist had his name or mark on their foreheads. And, the great whore of Revelation 17 had her name written upon her forehead (17:5). It may be that Jesus has His newly revealed name written upon His forehead. We shall see. He is clothed with a garment which has been dipped in blood. In the view of this author, there is little question whence it came. It likely is His own precious blood. (Some rather suggest it is the splattered blood of His enemies as He conquerors them. Reference is made to Isaiah 63:1 or Revelation 14:20.)

Isa 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Isa 63:2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

The word translated as dipped (baptw bapto) is revealing. It literally has the sense of dipping as in dying a garment. It, moreover, is the root underlying the more familiar word, baptidzo transliterated as ‘baptize.’ The garment worn by Jesus when He returns has been immersed in blood—His own—as a powerful testimony to both redeemed and foe alike of its great power. Lest there be any confusion, John records, “His name is called The Word of God.” Some have suggested this might be the name referenced in verse 12. However, that is unlikely for Jesus is clearly so named in John 1:1. Once again, another one of the clear titles of our Lord is set forth.

(Rev 19:14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

(Rev 19:15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Jesus is not alone in His coming. The armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Those armies clearly are the church, for the same descriptive of “fine linen, white and clean” is used to describe the church in verse 8. We will return with Him on white horses as well. Once again, the church triumphant is pictured in heaven prior to the return of Christ at the close of the Tribulation. A pre-Tribulation Rapture is again clearly demonstrated.

As mentioned in notes in 11:15, the so-called ‘mid-Tribulation’ position linked to the seventh and presumed last trump actually is at the end of the Tribulation. It makes little sense to be Raptured to heaven then to immediately turn around and return with Christ at that point. Colossians 3:4 likewise refers to the church appearing with Him in glory at His return.

John further notes in verse 15, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations”. Revelation 1:16 also speaks of a sharp two-edged sword in His mouth. It likely is a metaphor for the written Word of God. See Hebrews 4:12.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The reference in Isaiah 11:4, “and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked,” likely refers to this same event. It would seem our Lord does not come back and physically engage in hand-to-hand combat with the forces of the devil. Rather, by the breath of His lips and by His uttered Word, He slays them. The Lord shall rule them with a rod of iron. In fulfillment of Psalm 2:9, He returns to forcibly seize control of the nations of this world. See also Revelation 2:27 and 12:5.

As noted in 11:18, the nations will be angry. (See also Psalm 2:1-9.) But as King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus seizes the reigns of power of the entire earth. He then will rule with unbending righteousness. No longer will sin, corruption, and ungodliness be tolerated. In that day, those who rebel will be crushed as with a rod of iron. As allegorically described in Revelation 14:15-20, and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. The day of God’s wrath has reached its zenith.

In that day, it will be poured out in fierceness. The righteous wrath of a holy God, longed blasphemed and scorned, will be emptied in that day upon the wicked, Christ-hating world when Jesus returns. Even as grapes are squeezed of their juices in a winepress, the blood of the wicked will be squeezed from them by the fierceness and wrath of God Almighty. The cutting edge of His wrath will be personified in Jesus Christ as He, in flaming fire, takes vengeance on them that know not God.

III. King of Kings and Lord of Lords

(Rev 19:16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Emblazoned perhaps across His chest and down his thigh is His matchless title, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” In that day, His rule and reign over all the kings and lords of the earth will begin. It will continue from then onward till time shall be no more. Amen.

(Rev 19:17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

(Rev 19:18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

A great angel in the heavens and in line with the sun makes a profound announcement. The birds of carrion of the entire earth are called to the plains of Esdraelon and environs to clean up the carnage. A similar call is made in Ezekiel 39:17. The time may or may not be the same, but it also is clearly eschatological and of the Tribulation. And no common carnage it will be. The birds of prey of the heavens, the vultures, hawks, eagles, and other birds of carrion are called from the corners of the earth to migrate to Israel.

There they will eat the flesh of kings. Those presidents, premieres, prime ministers, kings, and leaders of the nations who assemble at Armageddon will be summarily executed by the breath of His lips. Likewise will be the fate of the commanding generals of those armies along with their combined forces. They all will be slain.

Of interest is the note that the carnage will also include the horses of these invading armies. This has prompted some to question if modern technology will be left in that day. It may be that the plagues and judgments of the Tribulation have so destroyed the technical infrastructure of the world that the only conveyance which will still work is old-fashioned horses.

(Rev 19:19) And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

(Rev 19:20) And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The assembled armies of the nations of the earth are described ready to try and fight against Jesus Christ. What an exercise in futility! See also Revelation 16:13-15 and Zechariah 12:2-3 and 14:1-4.

Zec 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.

Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Whether these forces still have modern weapons of war or are reduced to simple side arms, they will be slain in their entirety by the breath of His lips. The beast was taken, along with the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Evidently, the first to be cast into the lake of fire is the antichrist who was energized by Satan himself. It is of further interest that the ‘ministry’ of the false prophet is characterized as one of deception. Satan’s specialty down through the ages has been to deceive mankind. It certainly will be his strength in the Tribulation. In any event, the antichrist and the false prophet are so damned there forever at the conclusion of the battle of Armageddon. They evidently have no part in the Great White Throne judgment.

(Rev 19:21) And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

As for the remainder of the forces of the antichrist assembled in the region of Armageddon, they will also be executed by the sword of our Lord’s mouth, the Word of God, the breath of His lips. They, too, will become the diet of the birds of carrion assembled by the will of God.

This concludes the battle of Armageddon. The world system typified in Babylon has been destroyed. Jesus Christ has returned in power and great glory. His long-awaited kingdom is about to be inaugurated wherein righteousness will abound and He will rule and reign forever and ever.

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Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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