Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Revelation Chapter 19 mean?

To this point in Revelation, earth has been subjected to a series of judgments by God. These were first described as seal judgments (Revelation 5—8), then through the trumpet judgments (Revelation 8—11), and finally the bowl judgments (Revelation 12—16). The last two chapters gave a poetic description of the fall of “Babylon,” both as a corrupt religious system and as the political empire of the Antichrist (Revelation 17—18). Here, John witnesses prayers from heaven which precede a great celebration, followed by the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to earth.

John now hears a great number of voices praising God. This includes the voices of the twenty-four elders mentioned in earlier passages (Revelation 4:4). Their song proclaims God’s justice and once again celebrates the defeat of the “great prostitute” of prior verses. These songs thank God for avenging those who have been martyred for the sake of their faith (Revelation 19:1–5).

John then witnesses further praise, this time in the context of a marriage supper. This is an event mentioned many times in Scripture (Matthew 22:1–14; 25:1–13). This description makes a clear distinction between those who are “the bride,” and those who are “invited guests.” In short, this means that not all believers of all eras are part of the literal “bride of Christ.” All will share in the same eternal destiny, but not in the same order, or through the exact same experiences. Old Testament believers such as Abraham (Matthew 8:11), for instance, are said to be “guests,” not part of the bride (Revelation 19:6–10).

John’s amazing vision in this section also includes the long-awaited second coming of Jesus Christ. This is a moment of incredible triumph. Jesus’ first arrival on earth was humble (Luke 2:7) and involved His sacrificial death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). His return is neither humble nor meek. Christ is described as a royal conqueror, wearing a robe dipped in the blood of His enemies, at the helm of the armies of heaven. Now displayed as the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus will single-handedly obliterate the earthly armies which have amassed against Him (Isaiah 63:3). This results in the damnation of the Antichrist and False Prophet, who become the first two beings cast into the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 19:11–21).

These events mark the end of the tribulation, and the beginning of the millennial kingdom: a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. Chapter 20 details this era of the end times. This will be followed by a last-ditch Satanic rebellion, a final victory, and the last judgments on mankind.

Chapter Context
This chapter describes the victorious second coming of Christ, His victory over the Antichrist and the False Prophet after the fall of Babylon (Revelation 17—18). Christ’s first arrival on earth was to redeem (Matthew 2; Luke 2:1–21; John 1:1–14; Galatians 4:1–5). The purpose of His second coming is judgment and the establishment of His reign on earth (Psalm 2). This is separate from the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17), the event in which Jesus returns in the air to take Christians from earth to be with Him. Jesus’ second coming begins the millennial kingdom, leading up to the final judgments and the appearance of the New Jerusalem.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah!Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

John reports that he heard what seemed to be a great multitude in heaven crying out with a loud voice. Heaven is not a sparsely populated place, as some may think. It is highly populated with heavenly beings and redeemed human beings (Revelation 7:9). Together, the members of this massive throng shout, “hallelujah!” meaning “praise the Lord!” These praises are sung after describing the fall of Babylon (Revelation 17—18), and just before John’s vision of the second coming of Christ (Revelation 19:11).

Their praise attributes exclusive qualities to God. Salvation, glory, and power belong to Him. Salvation may refer to deliverance from sin and eternal hell, a feat that only God can accomplish by His grace (Ephesians 2:8–9), or it may refer to deliverance from the power of Satan and his allies. Certainly, God delivers His people from the persecution they experience in the tribulation at the hands of the Antichrist and the False Prophet.

When the ark of the covenant was brought from the house of Obed-Edom to the tabernacle, great rejoicing and praise celebrated the event. David sang, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name” (1 Chronicles 16:29). In Psalm 8:1, David wrote that God had “set [His] glory above the heavens.” The ascription of power to God is certainly justified. Throughout biblical history God displayed His omnipotent power, and in the tribulation He reveals His unmatched power in destroying Babylon.

Context Summary
Revelation 19:1–5 records praise which rises to God from a great multitude in heaven. The praise follows the fall of Babylon recorded in chapters 17 and 18. Similar praise is reported in Revelation 4:10–11; 5:9–10, 12–13; 7:11–12, and 11:16–18. The praise precedes the marriage supper of the Lamb, as well as the second coming of Christ in glory and the judgment of the nations.

Verse 2. for his judgments are true and just;for he has judged the great prostitutewho corrupted the earth with her immorality,and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

John is hearing praises from heaven, celebrating the destruction of Babylon and the imminent return of Christ to earth (Revelation 19:11). Here, the heavenly multitude’s song is one of affirmation of God’s judgments. They are true. God never makes a mistake when He judges. His judgments are also just; that is, the judged get what they deserve. God judges righteously. Religious Babylon had corrupted the world with her immorality, and she had slain many of God’s servants.

In the time of Elijah, Baal worship flourished as King Ahab and Queen Jezebel supported it. They even arranged for the false prophets of Baal to dine in the palace (1 Kings 18:19). The apostate Israelites were so devoted to the worship of Baal that they killed God’s prophets with the sword (1 Kings 18:4; 18:13). In response, God displayed His power at Mount Carmel and used Elijah to slay the false prophets (1 Kings 18:20–40). In a similar display of power, God judged Babylon and avenged His martyred servants (Revelation 17—18). Even today in many parts of the world those whose faith is in the one true God experience persecution and even martyrdom at the hands of those who are steeped in false religion.

Verse 3. Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah!The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”

This verse reports that the heavenly multitude shouted another “hallelujah,” which translates to “praise the Lord!” The residents of heaven declare that Babylon’s smoke ascends “forever and ever.” We should not interpret this declaration to mean the physical smoke from God’s judgment on Babylon is eternal. The statement is a hyperbole: a figure of speech. The language simply indicates that God’s destruction of Babylon was complete once and for all.

Babylon had marked God’s people as fools, and she had indulged herself in luxuries, as though things would endure forever. But, like the destruction of Sodom when God burned the city to the ground, everything Babylon considered valuable went up in smoke. The things she considered so valuable and worthwhile ended up as piles of ashes.

Jesus warned, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Jesus labeled as a fool, “the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). Babylon was foolish, and her foolishness led to her judgment.

Verse 4. And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”

This verse refers to twenty-four elders and four living creatures, who were first described in Revelation 4. Here they are seen falling down and worshiping the One who occupies the throne of heaven. This is a reference to God as the Sovereign Lord. Nothing shakes His throne, and those who oppose Him do so to their regret. This was exemplified by the fall of Babylon (Revelation 17—18), which defied God and ended up as a smoking ash heap. The elders and four living creatures agree with the heavenly multitude’s declaration of God’s faithful judgment of Babylon. They say, “Amen. Hallelujah!” which literally translates to “So be it. Praise the Lord!”

Scholars speculate on who, exactly, these twenty-four elders are. Some suggest they are the twelve patriarchs of Israel (Revelation 7:5–8) and the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2–4; Acts 1:24–26), or they may represent all believers of the Old and New Testaments.

The four living creatures are described in Revelation 4:7 as having, respectively, features resembling a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle. They each have six wings, multiple eyes, and they never cease to proclaim God’s holiness, omnipotence, and eternality (Revelation 4:8).

Verse 5. And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God,all you his servants,you who fear him,small and great.”

Suddenly, a voice emanates from the throne and summons all God’s servants to praise God. No servant of God is omitted from the summons. It extends to all who reverence him, regardless of their rank or station in life.

The word, “servants” in this verse is the Greek douloi, meaning “bond slaves.” The apostle Paul often used this word to refer to himself as God’s servant. A bond slave belonged to his master for life and did what pleased his master. His will was subservient to the master’s will. Christians have been born into a spiritual form of bond-service: a willing, joyful “slavery” to our master, the Lord Jesus Christ. When Paul became a believer, he ceased to do his own will and turned his will over to the Lord. He told the Philippian church, “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). As the Lord’s servants, we ought to praise Him instead of seeking to boost our own egos.

Verse 6. Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah!For the Lord our Godthe Almighty reigns.

John heard what resembled thunder claps, actually the voice of a huge multitude. The throng praised the Lord our God Almighty because He was commencing His physical reign on earth. This enthusiastic announcements echoes what the twenty-four elders announced in Revelation 11:17. They gave thanks to the Lord God Almighty who had taken His great power and begun to reign. Babylon had fallen and all who profited from its wealth lamented its fall (Revelation 17—18), but God’s people rejoice at the inauguration of Christ’s kingdom. It will never fall, and those who belong to Christ will share in the glory of His reign (Colossians 3:4). The inauguration of the messianic kingdom will comfort the redeemed of Israel. Joel 2:26 promises: “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”

Context Summary
Revelation 19:6–10 introduces the marriage supper of the Lamb, occurring immediately before the commencement of Jesus’ millennial reign on the earth. Jesus spoke about marriage suppers in Matthew 22:1–14 and 25:1–13. He specifically referred to feasting in the kingdom of heaven, with many from the east and the west, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 8:11). The announcement of the marriage supper of the Lamb precedes Jesus’ return to earth to judge His enemies and to establish His kingdom (Revelation 19:11–21).

Verse 7. Let us rejoice and exultand give him the glory,for the marriage of the Lamb has come,and his Bride has made herself ready;

The multitude John heard praising the Lord (Revelation 19:1–5) called for rejoicing. Here, again, they give God glory because the marriage supper of the Lamb is beginning and the bride has attired herself appropriately. This event is a key piece of biblical prophecy, and of the end times. This “marriage supper” carries heavy symbolism about the relationship between Christ and the church.

Bible scholars are divided on the question of where this marriage supper takes place. Some say it takes place in heaven, whereas others say it takes place on earth. The context concerns the Lord’s reign on earth, arguing for the marriage supper taking place there. Further, the customs surrounding Hebrew marriages points to its location as on earth. Traditionally, a dowry preceded the wedding, and then the bridegroom would come and claim his bride. He would then take her to his father’s house, where the wedding would take place. Finally, he would return with his bride to celebrate the wedding feast.

Jesus paid a price for His bride, the church (Mark 10:45). Someday, He will come for His bride and escort her to heaven, where He will present her to Himself as pure and spotless (John 14:1–3; Ephesians 5:25–27). At His second coming Jesus will return to earth with His bride to celebrate the marriage supper. The bride of Christ has made herself ready by being with the Bridegroom. First John 3:2 explains that when Christians see Jesus, either through death or at the rapture, they will be like Him.

Verse 8. it was granted her to clothe herselfwith fine linen, bright and pure” — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

This continues a description of the “marriage supper of the Lamb.” This depicts the church as “the bride of Christ,” and symbolizes much of the relationship between Jesus and His followers. This verse explains that the bride of Christ was granted the privilege of clothing herself in fine linen that is bright and pure. Just as a bride wears a white gown as a symbol of her purity, so the bride of Christ receives fine linen attire.

The clothing represents the righteous acts that believers have performed. The church cannot claim she has attained any righteousness on her own. She owes her salvation entirely to God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). Furthermore, her righteous acts are done by grace and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The apostle Paul attributed the fruit of a productive ministry to the Lord and not to himself. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:10: “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” He also testified, “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Verse 9. And the angel said to me, “Write this: 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.”

John has heard the praises of a vast multitude singing to God (Revelation 19:6). The angel who has been guiding John through this part of his vision (Revelation 17:1–3) now gives him a specific task: writing the message of this verse.

This statement distinguishes between the bride and other believers. The bride, by definition, is not invited to her own reception. Those who are “invited” are the friends of the bridegroom. John the Baptist, for example, referred to himself as the friend of the bridegroom. He said, “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete” (John 3:29).

So, John the Baptist will surely be invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be invited too (Matthew 8:11). A common interpretation of this passage is that likely all the Old Testament believers and the tribulation believers will also be included as invited guests. The angel who spoke to the apostle John emphasized the fact that what he said about the marriage supper of the Lamb were the true words of God.

Verse 10. Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

John’s experience of intense heavenly praise (Revelation 19:1–5) and the glorious marriage supper of the lamb certainly made an impression. Apparently overwhelmed, he collapsed, ready to worship the angel who disclosed those things. However, the angel immediately resists this worship. He explained that he, too, was a servant of God. Like human beings, angels are created beings. Jesus, on the other hand, created all things, whether in heaven or on earth, “visible and invisible…all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). John 1:3 says concerning Jesus, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

This incident presents some difficult questions. As a Jewish believer, John would have known only God must be the object of worship. His response here, then, raises the question of why he would respond as he did. Some speculate that John, in that moment, sincerely mistook the angel for Jesus. Or, that John was simply overwhelmed and had a lapse in judgment.

This reaction, from the angel, further demonstrates that Jesus was more than willing to claim divinity during His earthly ministry. Though this angel refuses worship, Jesus did not—He accepted it as legitimate (Matthew 14:33; 28:9; John 9:37–38; 20:28–29).

Verse 11. Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

This verse reports that the apostle John saw heaven open and observed a rider on a white horse. The rider is identified using names such as Faithful and True. The earlier rider of a white horse, seen by John (Revelation 6:2), was given no such description. The rider in Revelation 19:11 is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, who identified Himself to the church in Laodicea as “the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14).

Coming in this context, Christ is faithful to avenge the death of the martyrs and to keep His promises. He promised to come again, and true to His word He will come to earth a second time at the close of the tribulation. Because He is all knowing, nothing escapes His attention. Jesus knows all about His enemies’ injustices, immorality, and blasphemy, and He judges them righteously. He goes to war with them.

In the ancient Roman world, victorious generals would ride white horses in a victory parade. Their legions would follow them and drag their captives behind them, So, appropriately, Jesus, the believers’ commander-in-chief, rides a white horse as He returns to earth. The description which follows emphasizes Christ’s absolute majesty, power, and victory.

Context Summary
Revelation 19:11–21 presents one of Scripture’s most spectacular moments of victory: the second coming of Jesus Christ. In this event, Christ returns to earth at the close of the tribulation. At His first coming to earth, Jesus appeared as a baby and sacrificial Savior. This time, He arrives as King of kings and Lord of lords. Many prior Scriptures prophesied this epic day of victory (Matthew 25; Zechariah 14:1–4; 2 Thessalonians 2:7–12; Hebrews 9:27–28; Jude 1:14–15). Christ arrives in a blaze of glory, obliterating His enemies single-handedly, at the head of the armies of heaven. The Antichrist and False Prophet become the first two cast into the lake of fire, ushering in the beginning of Christ’s millennial reign on earth.

Verse 12. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

Jesus’ first coming to earth was humble (Luke 2:7) and included His sacrificial death (Philippians 2:8). His second coming, however, sees Jesus arrive as the King of kings and Lord of lords, with piercing eyes. He sees all, and therefore is justified in making war. When John first received his vision of Jesus at Patmos, he reported that Jesus’ eyes were “like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14).

The diadems on Jesus’ head show that He is the absolute ruler of the universe. In this capacity He is able to carry out the sentence of doom and destruction that He imposes on the wicked. Further, He is well qualified to take control of the nations and rule them. Psalm 2:8–9 God declares: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Among the many names He can claim, Jesus has a name only He knows. This likely refers to the fact that Jesus is indescribable. In ancient times, it was often held that knowing a person’s name provided certain spiritual leverage (Genesis 32:27; Mark 5:9). Symbolically, then, the Son of God returns to earth with a name unknowable to any other person. His personality and deeds extend far beyond what we can comprehend.

Verse 13. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

Jesus has returned, this time as a conquering King and the unquestioned Lord of lords. John observes that Jesus’ robe was dipped in blood. This is not a reference to the blood He shed on the cross for our sins. Rather, given the military context of this vision, it is the blood of his enemies. Isaiah 63:2–3 prophesies this event with a question and an answer. Verse 2 asks: “Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?” Verse 3 provides the answer: “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel.”

At His first coming Jesus filled the role of the Lamb of God and shed His blood for our sins. At His second coming He will fill the role of the Lion of the tribe of Judah and devour His enemies because of their sins. As He roars against His foes, another of His names is prominent: “the Word of God.” This title clearly identifies the rider on a white horse here as Jesus, who came to earth the first time as God in the flesh but was rejected by the world (John 1:1–2, 10–11, 14).

Verse 14. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.

It was customary for Roman generals to celebrate their victories by leading a procession through Rome. The procession was called a “triumph.” The victorious general, riding on a white horse, led the way, and was followed by his army. The last group in the procession was the captives who were chained and dragged by the general’s soldiers. This verse tells us about the moment when the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10) leads His armies in a victory parade—the second coming of Christ.

All of the following members of the armies of heaven wear fine linen, white and pure. As His followers, redeemed believers are clothed in the garments of salvation and wear robes of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 declares, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” They bear the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Further, Christ’s followers ride white horses, symbolic of the victory they share with their Lord. Romans 8:37 affirms that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Verse 15. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

When Jesus first appeared to John in a vision at Patmos, a sharp two-edged sword proceeded from Jesus’ mouth (Revelation 1:16). Once again, according to this verse, John sees a sharp sword proceed from Jesus mouth. The returning King of kings and Lord of lords uses this sword to “strike down the nations.” Since the sword of the Lord represents His Word (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17), it is reasonable to expect Jesus to mow down His foes with just a spoken word. He brought the world into existence by His speech (Hebrews 11:3), and He can assuredly destroy His enemies with just a word from His lips.

Revelation 19:15 also informs us that Jesus will rule the nations with a rod of iron. Psalm 2:9 prophesies this action by saying, “You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” The thoroughness of Jesus’ judgment on His enemies is symbolized by the description of His trampling them underfoot as He dispenses the fury of God’s wrath. Jesus’ first appearance on earth was marked with humility and sacrifice (Philippians 2:8), unlike His second coming in glory and power (Isaiah 63:2–3).

Verse 16. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

When Jesus first came to earth, He arrived in humble circumstances and was given humble clothes (Luke 2:7). In His earthly return, His second coming, Jesus wears an exclusive title on His robe: “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Rulers sometimes had inscriptions on their vestments that revealed their prestigious rank, but none of them ever rightfully carried an inscription as prestigious as the one on Jesus’ robe. Someday, He will be king over all the earth, the long-awaited ruler of an earthly millennial kingdom.

King David anticipated the universal reign of Jesus. He wrote in Psalm 24:7: “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” Then he identified the king. He asked, “Who is this King of glory?” and answered, “the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!” (Psalm 24:8). Again, he identified the King of glory in verse 10: He is “the LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.” When God humbled King Nebuchadnezzar in the time of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar rightfully proclaimed that God’s dominion “is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34).

When Jesus rules the earth, peace and prosperity will finally be realized worldwide (Isaiah 9:7; 11:5–9; Joel 2:21–27; Amos 9:13–15).

Verse 17. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God,

John reports in this verse that he saw and heard an angel that was standing in the sun. This angel, highlighted in the sun’s brilliance, calls upon all the birds in the sky to meet together for God’s great supper. This summons anticipates the destruction of the armies of earth that join forces in a futile attempt to battle the King of kings and Lord of lords. The context indicates that the birds are flesh-eating birds. The high-ranking rulers and their armies may be decked out in colorful regalia at the beginning of the battle, but they soon they will be rotting corpses, food for vultures.

Matthew 24:28 states, “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” Ezekiel 39:17–20 describes the great supper of God as a sacrificial feast on the mountains of Israel that He is preparing for birds of every sort and for all the beasts of the field. He says the birds and beasts will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of princes until they are full. This symbolism, of battle-slain bodies being eaten by carrion birds, was a common feature of ancient depictions of war (1 Samuel 17:44).

Verse 18. to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”

The purpose of gathering the birds together is to consume the flesh of kings, captains, and mighty men, as well as the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave. Earth’s remaining forces of evil are about to experience a gory death at the hands of the King of kings and Lord of lords, as He returns in His glorious second coming (Revelation 19:11–17).

Neither prominent political power, nor wealth, nor military might can save any wicked person from the wrath of God that falls upon him at the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. What happens to the wicked at Christ’s return stands in stark contrast to the one-dimensional view many hold of God’s love. They think God is too loving to judge anyone. They are wrong, of course, because the same perfection which produces God’s love is that which produces His holiness, righteousness, and justice. He is too holy to tolerate sin, too righteous to enable wickedness to continue, and too just to let sin and sinners go unpunished.

The wicked who marshal themselves against the King when He returns to earth had spurned His love, and now they must feel His anger. In a display of glory and power, the same Jesus who willingly laid down His life (Philippians 2:8; Matthew 26:53) will single-handedly obliterate His enemies from the face of the earth (Isaiah 63:3; Revelation 19:21).

Verse 19. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.

This verse reminds us of the militant gathering of the beast and his followers—kings and all their armies (Revelation 16:12–16). They gather to make war against Jesus, the returning King of kings and Lord of lords, and against His army. This is often referred to as the “Battle of Armageddon,” which will be extensive enough to be properly called the “War of Armageddon” (Zechariah 14:1–3).

This assembling of military might of evil forces against Jesus and His followers is not surprising. It is one more of the Devil’s futile efforts to dethrone the Lord. Before human history the Devil, Lucifer, tried to overthrow God and seize His throne (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:11–17). His attempt failed, but he has stirred the hearts of unbelievers throughout the ages to dethrone God. In the tribulation Satan’s puppet ruler, the beast from the sea—the head of the Revived Roman Empire— sets himself up as a god and receives worship (Revelation 13). Antichrist’s final act of defiance against God occurs when the beast and his forces prepare to battle Jesus.

Verse 20. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

The outcome of the beast’s war against Jesus is predictable. Jesus, who created all things, captures the Antichrist and Satan’s other henchman, the False Prophet. The False Prophet had deceived multitudes by performing signs and wonders (Revelation 13:13–14). The deceived multitude had received the mark of the beast and had worshiped the beast instead of the one true God (Revelation 13:16–18). These two had been responsible for leading many into sin, even the sin of idolatrous and immoral worship, and now they would suffer eternally for their transgressions.

The Antichrist and the False Prophet do not die physically. Instead, they are thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The Bible does not give an exact location of the lake of fire. It may lie outside our universe, but it is a real place. This is the ultimate, eternal destination for all who reject God (Revelation 20:11–15). These two instruments of Satan will find themselves cast into that fire before anyone else.

Verse 21. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

The armies that followed the beast in his battle against Christ meet a fatal end. The sword from Christ’s mouth slays them. Since the sword represents the Word of the Lord, it is safe to say that just a word from our Lord is sufficient to snuff out the lives of the beast’s numerous soldiers. The “sword” has two edges (Revelation 1:16). It can save those who choose to believe in Jesus as Savior or condemn those who reject Him (Hebrews 4:12). The number of the slain soldiers is so numerous that all the vultures that are called to “the great supper of God” (Revelation 19:17) gorge themselves on the dead bodies. Of course, the slain soldiers experience not only physical death but also eternal death, as Revelation 20:11–15 explains.

Belief in the existence of hell and eternal suffering is unpopular with certain religious teachers. They would rather believe that everyone goes to heaven eventually, or they choose to believe in the annihilation of the wicked. However, the Bible is clear; hell is real and those who go to that dreadful place experience real suffering forever. The first to experience that torment, even before the millennial kingdom, are the Antichrist and the False Prophet (Revelation 19:19–20).

This victory sets up Christ’s thousand-year reign on earth, described in chapter 20.

End of Chapter 19.

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