Revelation 19

Revelation 19 marks a climactic moment in John's vision, where heaven rejoices over God's judgment upon Babylon and the victory of Christ over evil. The chapter also presents the marriage supper of the Lamb and the triumphant return of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. This chapter transitions from judgment to the final victory, underscoring the ultimate sovereignty of Christ and the celebration of God's people.

Revelation 19:1-2 (NKJV)
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”

In this scene, a multitude in heaven praises God, rejoicing in His salvation, glory, honor, and power. The judgment on the great harlot (Babylon) is celebrated as just and righteous, as she had corrupted the world and shed the blood of the saints. The heavenly host rejoices that God's justice has prevailed and that the forces of evil have been judged.

Revelation 19:3 (NKJV)
Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!”

This verse highlights the permanence of Babylon's destruction. The smoke rising forever symbolizes the eternal consequences of God's judgment on this corrupt system, and the heavenly multitude acknowledges this as a sign of divine justice that cannot be undone.

Revelation 19:4-5 (NKJV)
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

The worship of the 24 elders and the four living creatures reflects their agreement with God's righteous judgment. The call for all God's servants, from the least to the greatest, to join in praising Him shows the universal response of God's people to His justice and sovereignty. All creation acknowledges God's rightful rule.

Revelation 19:6-7 (NKJV)
And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

The multitude's voice resembles thunder and rushing waters, signifying power and majesty. They proclaim the reign of the Lord God Almighty and rejoice in the coming of the marriage supper of the Lamb, where Christ (the Lamb) is united with His bride (the Church). The bride, symbolizing the Church, has been purified and prepared for this glorious event.

Revelation 19:8 (NKJV)
And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

The bride of Christ is adorned in fine linen, which represents the righteous acts of the saints. This imagery conveys the purity and holiness of the Church, not based on its own merit, but through the grace and righteousness provided by God. The linen symbolizes the transformed life of believers.

Revelation 19:9 (NKJV)
Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

Those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb are blessed, signifying their inclusion in the eternal union with Christ. This divine celebration is the ultimate reward for the faithful. The angel emphasizes that these promises are trustworthy and certain, being the true words of God.

Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

John, overwhelmed by the vision, mistakenly attempts to worship the angel. The angel rebukes him, reminding him that only God is to be worshiped. This moment reinforces the centrality of God in worship and the testimony of Jesus, which is the foundation of all true prophecy, pointing to His work and His glory.

Revelation 19:11-12 (NKJV)
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

Christ appears on a white horse, symbolizing victory and purity. He is called Faithful and True, underscoring His trustworthiness and righteous character. His fiery eyes indicate His penetrating judgment, and His many crowns demonstrate His sovereign authority over all. The mysterious name signifies the incomprehensible nature of Christ's divine identity.

Revelation 19:13 (NKJV)
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

The blood on Christ's robe likely symbolizes the victory He has achieved through His sacrifice. His title, "The Word of God," emphasizes His role as the divine expression and communication of God's will, as seen in John 1:1, where Christ is identified as the eternal Word.

Revelation 19:14-15 (NKJV)
And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

The armies of heaven, also in white linen, follow Christ, symbolizing their purity and righteousness. The sword from His mouth represents His Word, which has the power to judge and conquer the nations. The rod of iron reflects Christ's authority to rule decisively, and the winepress illustrates the crushing judgment of God’s wrath.

Revelation 19:16 (NKJV)
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Christ's title, written on His robe and thigh, declares His supreme authority. As King of kings and Lord of lords, Christ rules over all earthly and heavenly powers, leaving no doubt about His ultimate sovereignty and victory.

Revelation 19:17-18 (NKJV)
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”

The angel's call to the birds signifies the aftermath of God's judgment upon the wicked. The great feast of the birds contrasts with the marriage supper of the Lamb, symbolizing the total defeat of those who opposed God. It serves as a vivid reminder of the finality of God’s judgment on all levels of society.

Revelation 19:19 (NKJV)
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

The forces of evil, led by the beast and earthly rulers, prepare to wage war against Christ and His heavenly army. This gathering represents the final opposition of the world against God’s rule, setting the stage for Christ’s ultimate victory over evil.

Revelation 19:20 (NKJV)
Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The capture of the beast and the false prophet marks the defeat of the forces of deception and evil. They are thrown into the lake of fire, symbolizing their eternal punishment. Their downfall highlights the inevitable triumph of God’s justice and the end of all false systems and idols.

Revelation 19:21 (NKJV)
And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

The remaining enemies of Christ are slain by the sword of His Word, demonstrating the power and authority of Christ’s judgment. The imagery of the birds feasting on their flesh underscores the total and irrevocable defeat of those who stand against God. Christ’s victory is complete, and His reign is fully established.