Revelation 19
BSB1 After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! 2 For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand." 3 And a second time they called out: “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever." 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!" 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!" 6 And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. 8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God." 10 So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 11 Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. 15 And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great." 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. 20 But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
Study Notes — Revelation 19
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Revelation 19
- Themes from Revelation 19
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Revelation 19
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Revelation 19 begins with a heavenly hymn of praise to God for His judgment on the great prostitute, Babylon (Revelation 19:1-5). The chapter then describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, where believers are united with Christ in eternal fellowship (Revelation 19:6-10). The return of Christ is announced, and He is described as the King of kings and Lord of lords, who will reign supreme over all nations (Revelation 19:11-16). The chapter concludes with the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom (Revelation 19:17-21). Throughout the chapter, the focus is on the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
Context for the Chapter
Revelation 19 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Revelation, which describes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The chapter follows the description of the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18, and precedes the description of the millennial kingdom in Revelation 20. The chapter is also connected to the larger biblical narrative, with references to the Old Testament prophecies of God's ultimate victory over evil (e.g., Psalm 2:7-9, Isaiah 11:1-10).
Heart Application
The chapter emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This truth should fill believers with hope and anticipation for the future, as they look forward to the day when Christ will reign supreme. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition, as believers await the return of Christ.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Revelation 19 is a celebration of God's ultimate victory over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The chapter describes the return of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, and the union between Christ and His believers. As noted in Revelation 19:7, 'His bride has made herself ready,' emphasizing the preparation and expectation of believers for their union with Christ. The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition, as believers await the return of Christ.
Voices from the Church
“The return of Christ is the great hope of the church, and it is the duty of every believer to live in anticipation of that day.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The ultimate triumph of God over evil is a truth that should fill believers with confidence and joy, as they look forward to the day when Christ will reign supreme.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Heavenly Hymn of Praise (Revelation 19:1-5) — The chapter begins with a heavenly hymn of praise to God for His judgment on the great prostitute, Babylon.
- The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-10) — The chapter describes the union between Christ and His believers, highlighting the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His people.
- The Return of Christ (Revelation 19:11-16) — The chapter announces the return of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, who will reign supreme over all nations.
- The Defeat of the Beast and the False Prophet (Revelation 19:17-21) — The chapter concludes with the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
- The Establishment of God's Eternal Kingdom (Revelation 19:1-21) — The chapter emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
Core Doctrines
- The Return of Christ
- The chapter emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, with Christ returning as King of kings and Lord of lords.
- The Union between Christ and His Believers
- The chapter describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, highlighting the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His people.
- The Defeat of Evil
- The chapter concludes with the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God over evil.
- The Establishment of God's Eternal Kingdom
- The chapter emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, with Christ reigning supreme over all nations.
Lessons from Revelation 19
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition, as believers await the return of Christ.
- The Ultimate Triumph of God over Evil — The chapter emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, with Christ reigning supreme over all nations.
- The Union between Christ and His Believers — The chapter describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, highlighting the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His people.
- The Defeat of Evil — The chapter concludes with the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God over evil.
- The Return of Christ — The chapter announces the return of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, who will reign supreme over all nations.
Themes from Revelation 19
- The Return of Christ — The chapter announces the return of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, who will reign supreme over all nations.
- The Ultimate Triumph of God over Evil — The chapter emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
- The Union between Christ and His Believers — The chapter describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, highlighting the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His people.
- The Defeat of Evil — The chapter concludes with the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God over evil.
- The Establishment of God's Eternal Kingdom — The chapter emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, with Christ reigning supreme over all nations.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the main theme of Revelation 19, and how does it relate to the larger narrative of the book of Revelation?
- How does the chapter describe the union between Christ and His believers, and what is the significance of this union?
- What is the significance of the title 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS', and how does it emphasize Christ's authority and power?
- How does the chapter emphasize the ultimate triumph of God over evil, and what is the significance of this truth for believers?
- What is the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition, as believers await the return of Christ?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Heavenly Hymn of Praise (Revelation 19:1-5)
| Revelation 19:1 | The chapter begins with a heavenly hymn of praise to God for His judgment on the great prostitute, Babylon. |
| Revelation 19:2 | The hymn emphasizes God's justice and righteousness, and the salvation of His people. |
| Revelation 19:3 | The hymn also emphasizes the eternal nature of God's judgment, and the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
| Revelation 19:4 | The hymn concludes with a call to worship and praise God for His mighty deeds. |
| Revelation 19:5 | The hymn emphasizes the importance of worship and praise in the life of the believer. |
2. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-10)
| Revelation 19:6 | The chapter describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, highlighting the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His people. |
| Revelation 19:7 | The marriage supper is a celebration of the union between Christ and His believers, and emphasizes the preparation and expectation of believers for their union with Christ. |
| Revelation 19:8 | The marriage supper also emphasizes the righteousness and holiness of Christ's people, and the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
| Revelation 19:9 | The marriage supper is a call to worship and praise God for His mighty deeds, and to celebrate the union between Christ and His people. |
| Revelation 19:10 | The marriage supper emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition, as believers await the return of Christ. |
3. The Return of Christ (Revelation 19:11-16)
| Revelation 19:11 | The chapter announces the return of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, who will reign supreme over all nations. |
| Revelation 19:12 | The return of Christ is a call to worship and praise God for His mighty deeds, and to celebrate the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
| Revelation 19:13 | The return of Christ also emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition, as believers await the return of Christ. |
| Revelation 19:14 | The return of Christ is a celebration of the union between Christ and His people, and emphasizes the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His believers. |
| Revelation 19:15 | The return of Christ also emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. |
| Revelation 19:16 | The return of Christ is a call to worship and praise God for His mighty deeds, and to celebrate the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
4. The Defeat of the Beast and the False Prophet (Revelation 19:17-21)
| Revelation 19:17 | The chapter concludes with the defeat of the beast and the false prophet, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
| Revelation 19:18 | The defeat of the beast and the false prophet is a call to worship and praise God for His mighty deeds, and to celebrate the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
| Revelation 19:19 | The defeat of the beast and the false prophet also emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition, as believers await the return of Christ. |
| Revelation 19:20 | The defeat of the beast and the false prophet is a celebration of the union between Christ and His people, and emphasizes the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His believers. |
| Revelation 19:21 | The defeat of the beast and the false prophet is a call to worship and praise God for His mighty deeds, and to celebrate the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Revelation 19?
The main theme of Revelation 19 is the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, with Christ returning as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16).
What is the significance of the marriage supper of the Lamb?
The marriage supper of the Lamb is a celebration of the union between Christ and His believers, and emphasizes the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His people (Revelation 19:6-10).
What is the significance of the title 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS'?
The title 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS' emphasizes Christ's absolute sovereignty and authority over all nations, and highlights His ultimate triumph over evil (Revelation 19:16).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 19:1 → Psalm 104:35 | The heavenly hymn of praise in Revelation 19:1 is similar to the hymn of praise in Psalm 104:35, which emphasizes God's power and majesty. |
| 2 | Revelation 19:6 → Isaiah 25:6-9 | The marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:6 is similar to the feast on Mount Zion in Isaiah 25:6-9, which celebrates the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
| 3 | Revelation 19:11 → Psalm 2:7-9 | The return of Christ in Revelation 19:11 is similar to the prophecy in Psalm 2:7-9, which emphasizes Christ's ultimate triumph over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. |
| 4 | Revelation 19:16 → Deuteronomy 10:17 | The title 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS' in Revelation 19:16 is similar to the title 'God of gods' in Deuteronomy 10:17, which emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and authority over all nations. |
| 5 | Revelation 19:17 → Ezekiel 39:17-20 | The defeat of the beast and the false prophet in Revelation 19:17 is similar to the defeat of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 39:17-20, which emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
| 6 | Revelation 19:20 → 2 Thessalonians 2:8 | The defeat of the beast and the false prophet in Revelation 19:20 is similar to the defeat of the lawless one in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, which emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil. |
| 7 | Revelation 19:1 → John 1:1 | The heavenly hymn of praise in Revelation 19:1 is similar to the hymn of praise in John 1:1, which emphasizes God's power and majesty. |
| 8 | Revelation 19:6 → Matthew 22:1-14 | The marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:6 is similar to the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14, which celebrates the union between Christ and His people. |
| 9 | Revelation 19:11 → 1 Corinthians 15:25-28 | The return of Christ in Revelation 19:11 is similar to the prophecy in 1 Corinthians 15:25-28, which emphasizes Christ's ultimate triumph over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. |
| 10 | Revelation 19:16 → Philippians 2:9-11 | The title 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS' in Revelation 19:16 is similar to the title 'Lord' in Philippians 2:9-11, which emphasizes Christ's absolute sovereignty and authority over all nations. |
Sermons on Revelation 19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Set Your Affections Above - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the prophecy of John the Baptist and the need to prepare the way of the Lord. He emphasizes the importance of raising up valleys and bringing |
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Hell - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of hell and the judgment of God. He emphasizes that even before eternity comes, God will pour out His judgments on the earth, inc |
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(Revelation - Part 1): John Saw Further in All Directions by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Revelation and the visions that John saw. He describes how John saw various apocalyptic events, such as the sun turning black, th |
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We Glorify christ... by David Platt | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the mission and vision of their faith community, which is to glorify Christ by making disciples of all nations. They emphasize the importance |
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A Living Hope - Part 2 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the fundamental reality that Christ in us is the hope of glory. He acknowledges that even the best of human nature is flawed and cannot bring |
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War in Heaven by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being ready for the return of Jesus Christ. He uses the analogy of a house on fire to illustrate the urgency of the situat |
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Alas for Us, if Though Wert All, and Nought Beyond, O Earth by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the deep and indescribable joy experienced by the heavenly family. He contemplates the significance of the star of Jacob and how all other |
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Who Controls Your Life by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, Dr. Alan Redbath addresses a crowd of young people, questioning their commitment to God's will. He emphasizes the importance of living a holy life, stating that it |
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Attributes of God (Series 2): The Omnipotence of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses three propositions about God's power. The first proposition is that God has power, which is evident in the creation of the world. The preache |
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Why Do the Heathen Rage by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the inability to pacify the wicked and gives four reasons why it is impossible. He uses Hosea 11:1 as a reference and explains that pursuing |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Revelation 19
Matthew Henry's commentary on Revelation 19 emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Henry notes that the chapter is a celebration of God's justice and righteousness, and the salvation of His people. He also emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of opposition, as believers await the return of Christ. Henry's commentary highlights the intimate and eternal relationship between Christ and His people, and the ultimate triumph of God over evil. As Henry notes, 'The Lord Jesus Christ will come again, and will reign over all nations, and will put down all opposition, and will establish His kingdom, and will bring all His people to glory.' (Revelation 19:11-16) Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The heavenly hymn of praise
The chapter begins with a heavenly hymn of praise to God for His judgment on the great prostitute, Babylon (Revelation 19:1-5). This hymn sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, emphasizing God's justice and righteousness.
The use of symbolism
The chapter is rich in symbolism, with the marriage supper of the Lamb, the beast, and the false prophet all representing different aspects of God's plan and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
The emphasis on Christ's authority
Throughout the chapter, there is a strong emphasis on Christ's authority and power, with the title 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS' highlighting His supreme dominion over all nations.