Revelation 19

Revelation 19:1-6

5. BECAUSE OF BABYLON’S FALL

Revelation 19:1-10

 

In the preceding chapter three angels picture in vivid colors the fall of spiritual Babylon, and tell what the effects will be upon those deceived by her false religion; in this paragraph we have recorded the thanksgiving that will be expressed by the heavenly hosts.

 

(1) THE SONG OF TRIUMPH

(Revelation 19:1-6)

 

After these things.–After the symbolic act and words of the third angel (Revelation 18:21-24), John heard another loud voice, as of a great multitude, coming from heaven. The invitation was extended to saints, apostles, and prophets (Revelation 18:20) to rejoice over the harlot’s desolation. These verses contain the response to that invitation.

 

Hallelujah.–This word means “praise ye Jehovah,” and the song ascribes salvation, glory, and power to God. This is right because only by his permission can any blessing be received.

True and righteous.–The final punishment of the great harlot will come because she corrupted the earth with her false doctrines and because she caused the blood of saints to be shed. Her punishment will avenge that blood. A righteous God will allow only righteous punishment. A second time John heard the redeemed saints say, “Hallelujah.”

 

For ever and ever.–Smoke continuing to go up without end means that this refers to the final punishment after the judgment.

 

Fell down and worshipped God.–On the twenty-four elders and four living creatures see notes on Revelation 4:4-8. In addition to apostles, prophets, and saints, the spirit beings around the throne of. God rejoice over the final victory of the church. They give credit to God for the overthrow of Babylon. Another voice that appeared to come from the throne invited all servants of God to give him praise.

 

God, the Almighty, reigneth.–John next heard a voice as if coming from a multitude that sounded like many waters and mighty thunders; a grand chorus of all the spiritual hosts of heaven saying that God reigneth. This harmonizes perfectly with Paul’s statement that at Christ’s coming and judgment the kingdom will be delivered back to the Father. (1 Corinthians 15:23-24.) Then Christ will also become subject to the Father, and God will become all in all (verse 28), and his endless reign will begin.

Revelation 19:7-10

(2) THE OF THE LAMB

(Revelation 19:7-10)

 

Let us rejoice.–The reason given here for rejoicing is that the “marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife bath made herself ready.” The meaning is that the coming of the Lord coming to- receive the prepared church is similar to a bridegroom coming for his bride. Marriage, as a symbol or illustration, is used four times in the New Testament, but each time to teach a different lesson–that is, some phase of marriage is used to illustrate a special feature of the relationship of saved people to Christ. (1) Romans 7:4 and Ephesians 5:22-32 show that the relationship of individuals, and the church as a whole, to Christ now is comparable to the natural relationship of marriage ; therefore the saved are correctly represented as being spiritually"married" to Christ. (2) In Matthew 22:1-14 the idea of a marriage feast is presented, and saved people are represented as guests. Nothing in the parable represents the wife, for the reason that the parable is constructed to teach the necessity of proper character. This is better done by the idea of guests suitably dressed. (3) In Matthew 25:1-13 the lesson is sufficient preparation for the Lord’s coming in order to be ready. This is best presented by representing the saved as wise and foolish virgins. But in the parable these virgins are not the bride ; in the application they represent the two elements of the church.

 

Again, the bride is left out of the parable, yet the church is the bride or wife. (4) In our text the lesson is the joy of being prepared for that eternal home Jesus has prepared for his own. This is like the joy of a bride going to the home prepared for her. These are the lessons based upon marriage as a symbol, and must not be confused, for all of them are true. When this passage is used as proof that the church is not “married” to Christ now, the figures are jumbled and Romans 7:4 and Ephesians 5:22-32 are ignored.

 

In 2 Corinthians 11:2 Paul says, “For I espoused you to one husband.” This is no contradiction of what has been said ; for, if obedience to the gospel is represented here as an espousal, it would only be another comparison with the natural marriage which would, in some way, be similar to the spiritual. It would not set aside any of the four mentioned, but just add a fifth, or another text to those given. The Revised text of Rom 7:4 gives “joined to another” instead of “married to another.” But the illustration is marriage, and verses 2 and 3 are talking about being freed from, and joined to, a husband. Joined to Christ then means as a spiritual husband. It must be allowed that these verses so present the case or Paul has used language that does not mean what it says.

 

Fine linen, bright and pure.–As a bride adorns herself with fine linen, so Christians adorn themselves with “righteous acts.”

 

Blessed are they.–That is, blessed are those bidden to the “marriage supper of the Lamb.” Those bidden are those who have washed their robes in Christ’s blood (7:14), and are faithful unto death (2:10). Here again the saved are presented as guests at a feast; the idea of bride or wife is not in this verse, though mentioned in verse 7. “Marriage supper” clearly indicates the joys of heaven. Wedding feasts soon end ; the joys of heaven are eternal. The angel next asserts that what he said were the true words of God; a solemn confirmation of fact.

 

Fell down before his feet.–This was the customary way in showing great respect for a superior. John was overcome by the majesty of the scene and the deep significance of the words he heard, and gave way to this Eastern custom. The speaker, who doubtless was an angel, promptly forbade it on the ground that he was a fellow servant with John. As the papal church, symbolized by the harlot, worships saints, this incident may have occurred in the vision to teach that it is sinful to worship any creature. At least that is the lesson taught by it.

 

The spirit of prophecy.–The angel not only declared himself the fellow servant with John, but also “with thy brethren.” In Revelation 22:9, a parallel passage, he says “with thy brethren the prophets.” The meaning is that this angel held a similar position with John and other prophets in making known the will of God; that no one should worship a fellow servant. The angel then adds “worship God.” The testimony to Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. That testimony is given by those endowed by the spirit, whether angels from heaven, prophets of old, or the apostles. They are servants; God is the object of worship.

Revelation 19:11-16

6. A VISION OF THE ARMY

Revelation 19:11-16

 

11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; –In 18:1 to 19:10 we have a most vivid picture of the final overthrow of evil under the symbol of Babylon. In this paragraph John is allowed to see a vision describing the Lord’s victorious army in this last struggle. This is not a new and later event, but a pictorial representation of the Lord’s part in the one just described. In this book we are frequently brought back to events already related for the purpose of giving additional information.

 

The white horse, as we have already seen, is a symbol of successful or victorious warfare. See notes on Revelation 6:2. Faithful and true are characteristics of Christ (1:5; 3:14), and, in connection with other expressions in this paragraph, make it certain that the rider on the horse represents him. But for reasons given in the notes on Revelation 6:2 the rider there is not Christ. These texts then are not parallel.

 

and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.–The prophets declared that “righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.” (Isaiah 11:5.) His decisions will all be just and his warfare in defense of the truth always right.

 

12 And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; –His eyes were sharp, piercing, and bright, indicating his power to penetrate and see every object. He had on his head, not the “crown”–victor’s wreath–but the “diadem” –symbol of his regal authority. “Many” diadems indicate the universal nature of his rule, and the complete victory he was to gain over all in the last conflict. This idea is expressed more fully in verse 16.

 

and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself.–John saw the name, for it was written, but where it was written is not stated. No one knew it means that no one could understand what it signifies. It probably is the same as the “new name” (Revelation 2:17), which will be given those who overcome, and therefore will not be known till the final state is reached. This implies that it expresses some heavenly relationship which men in the flesh cannot understand.

 

13 And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood:–The King James Version has the word “dipped” in place of “sprinkle.” This is a matter of textual criticism, and the Revisers have decided in favor of “sprinkle” as the correct reading. Some expositors explain this as referring to the blood shed in the last war, some of which would be sprinkled on the garment of the victorious rider of the white horse. This would indicate that the last conflict would be a destructive victory over the Lord’s enemies. Others think the reference is to the shed blood of Christ through which he will gain the final overthrow of wickedness. If this is the reference, the word “sprinkle” is still appropriate. Peter speaks of the “sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:2.) As the first covenant was dedicated by the sprinkling of blood (Hebrews 9:18-20), so the new covenant by the blood of Christ, figuratively called the “blood of sprinkling” (Hebrews 12:24) because that was the literal way the blood of animals was applied.

 

and his name is called The Word of God-Some commentators think this cannot be the same as the name mentioned in verse 12 or the new name of Rev 2:17, for the reason that this one had already been given and could not therefore be “new.” To this others reply that it is not known by man in the sense that no one can fully comprehend its meaning–that is, no one can understand the full import of God’s Son being called the “Word.” Of course this is true in fact, and may be the correct view of the expression, though hardly probable. See verse 12.

 

14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure.–We should remember that the text describes what John saw in the vision; what it represents is another matter. There are two important questions regarding this heavenly army: (1) Who are included in it? (2) What part will they take in the conflict? Without doubt the passage refers to the coming of Christ and the last struggle between sin and righteousness. Some think this army will be composed of angels only and base their conclusion on Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7. Others think it includes the martyrs and means the same as those mentioned in Revelation 6:9-11; 14:1-5 20:4. Still others think this army will include the redeemed saints as well as those martyred.

It should be observed that this army clothed in white linen has no implements of war, which indicates that they are present as witnesses, not as actual fighters. There will be no fighting in the ordinary sense of that word, for all the wicked people in the world are no match for divine power. Under the withering touch of divine power 185,000 in the Assyrian army perished in one night without the touch of human hands. (2 Kings 19:35.) So the almighty power of Jesus, when he comes, will destroy Satan’s army–a victory sudden and complete. The angelic hosts of heaven will be present to rejoice.

 

15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations:–Jesus said his kingdom was not to be defended with a carnal sword. (John 18:36.) Paul declares that Christians fight with the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17.) The thing that proceeds from the mouth means words. God’s words are even sharper than a literal sword. (Hebrews 4:12.) From all this it is evident that smiting with the sword in this emblem represents the victory Christ will gain by his word. As the worlds were created by the word of God, so by the word of Christ wickedness will be banished. This agrees perfectly with Paul’s statement that when Jesus comes he will slay the lawless one (“man of sin”) with “the breath of his mouth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8.) Not carnal bloodshed; but Christ will speak the word and divine power will do the rest. This text shows that wicked nations will be here when Jesus comes else there would be none for the Lord to smite.

 

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.–Ruling with a rod of iron means in strict justice, whether in imparting favors or in inflicting punishment. This thought is expressed a number of times. (Psalms 2:7-9; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5.) The setting of the expression in this text shows that it means a just reward to the wicked. The preceding expression speaks of “smiting the nations,” and the following one says that he will tread the wine press of God’s wrath. Verses 17-21 show that the “winepress” of God’s wrath refers to the final punishment of the wicked, a scene pictured in Jude 1:14-15. The meaning is that as the treader presses out the wine from the grapes, so Jesus will inflict the fierceness of God’s wrath against the wicked, but with absolute justice.

 

16 And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.–Seeing this title written upon the garment further identifies the rider of the white horse as Christ. Just as the kingdom (mountain of the Lord’s house) is above or greater than all other kingdoms (Isaiah 2:2), so Christ’s position as King is superior to all other kings. Legally and rightly that has been his position since he took his seat (throne) at God’s right hand. (Ephesians 1:19-23; Acts 2:36.) This symbol represents him as still having that authority when he comes to execute God’s wrath upon the wicked.

Revelation 19:17-21

7. RESULTS OF THE

Revelation 19:17-21

 

 

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven,–The sun is the brightest shining orb in the world, and an angel so brilliant as to be distinguished when standing in the sun is beyond human description. This angel announced the result of the final conflict in a most impressive symbol. The fowls here mean birds of prey–those that eat flesh, and the image is that of such birds hovering over a battlefield ready to consume the bodies of the slain.

 

Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God; –In verse 9 the saved are invited to the “marriage supper of the Lamb,” which evidently means the rewards to be given finally to the faithful; here the “supper of God” means that the punishment of the wicked will be like giving to birds of prey bodies slain in battle. The picture of bodies thus consumed is the horrible emblem of the final destiny of the lost.

 

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 thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.–John sees in the symbol the birds assembled to the battlefield to consume leaders, common men, and even animals. This means that the wicked of all classes will suffer the final banishment from God’s presence. There will be no chance for rulers to escape any more than the common man; young and old will meet the same fate.

 

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.–In Revelation 16:13-16 John sees three unclean spirits coming from the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet to gather the kings of the whole world together for the last struggle–“the war of the great day of God.” Here lie sees that battle and its results. The hosts on both sides are assembled. This emblematic language means that evil on earth will be ended by the Lord at his coming, not that a real flesh and blood battle will be fought. This will include all kinds of evil represented by the beast and kings of the earth.

 

20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image:–On the identity of the beast and false prophet, see notes on Revelation 16:13. The fact that this language shows the false prophet wrought pretended miracles in the sight of the beast and deceived them who had received the “mark of the beast” indicates that the false prophet is the same as papal Rome. If so, then the “beast” would be political Rome in its so-called Christianized form while dominated by the papacy. This shows that in the last conflict corrupt political powers and false religions will both be used by Satan in his final effort to destroy Christianity. In the symbol John sees them both taken–defeated. The false prophet is a general expression broad enough to include all false teachers, and by implication all false systems of religion.

 

they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:–This means the end of these two kinds of wicked powers and the final punishment of those who supported them. The lake of fire refers to the last and complete torment of those banished from God forever. (Mark 9:47-48 ; Revelation 14:10-11; Revelation 20:14-15.) The last reference says the lake of fire is the second death which will take place when death and Hades are cast into that lake. This is final in showing that this paragraph refers to the separation of the good and bad at the judgment.

 

21 and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.–This is what John saw in the vision. Seeing the armies that followed the beast and false prophet killed with a sword and the birds feeding upon their flesh means that those who practice sin in corrupt politics or religion will be condemned to everlasting punishment. Thus again in this symbol we have seen the final conflict between sin and righteousness end in the vindication of Christ and his teaching. A decision from which there is no new hearing.

 

LESSON 23.

GOD IS PRAISED AND THE KING OF KINGS APPEARS

Read Rev. 19

1. After the fall of Babylon unto whom did the voice of a heavenly multitude ascribe salvation, glory and power? Ans. Revelation 19:1.

2. With what kind of judgment did God judge the great harlot? Ans. Revelation 19:2.

3. Whose blood did he avenge? Ans. Revelation 19:2.

4. What did the heavenly multitude say a second time? Ans. Revelation 19:3.

5. Tell what the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures said and did. Ans. Revelation 19:4.

6. What was said by the voice from the throne? Ans. Revelation 19:5.

7. Describe the voice that uttered the third Hallelujah. Ans. Revelation 19:6.

8. Give two reasons why the heavenly host should rejoice and glorify God at this time. Ans. Revelation 19:7.

9. In what was the wife arrayed? Ans. Revelation 19:8.

10. What is the “fine linen” with which she is clothed? Ans. Revelation 19:8.

11. What was John told to write? Ans. Revelation 19:9.

12. Whose words were these? Ans. Revelation 19:9.

13. Then what did John endeavor to do, and how was he prevented? Ans. Revelation 19:10.

14. Who alone should be worshiped? Ans. Jno. 4: 24; Matthew 4:10.

15. What appeared when the heaven was opened? Ans. Revelation 19:11.

16. Describe the person on the white horse. Ans. Revelation 19:12-13.

17. Who followed him? Ans. Revelation 19:14.

18. What was the weapon of his warfare, and what was the instrument of his rule? Ans. Revelation 19:15.

19. What was his name and where was it written? Ans. Revelation 19:16.

20. What were all the birds commanded to do by the angel standing in the sun? Ans. Revelation 19:17-18.

21. For what purpose did the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gather together? Ans. Revelation 19:19.

22. How were the beast and the false prophet disposed of? Ans. Revelation 19:20.

23. How were the rest destroyed? Ans. Revelation 19:21.

 

FOR CLASS

I. Discuss the church as the bride of Christ, paying special notice to the duties and responsibilities implied by the marriage illustration.