And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS ( Revelation 19:15-16 ). Then follows a description of the wall, gates, foundations, and general position. Then heaven is opened, and for a sight most solemn. that those who were meant under the figures of the elders and of the living creatures assume the name and figure of the bride? He speaks and it is done. These are representative of [Note: Ladd, pp. Now we find the symbol of the bride brought before us, and the elders and the living creatures disappear. He doesn't want you to be religious. And there will the second Psalm come into play. Scholz's note ("rec. This being so, it adds immense clearness in the understanding of the book. (ii) There is intimate communion, so intimate that man and wife become one flesh. No sooner was the marriage solemnized between Christ and his church by the conversion of the Jews than the glorious head and husband of the church is called out to a new expedition, which seems to be the great battle that was to be fought at Armageddon, foretold Revelation 16:16; Revelation 16:16. The word is alethinos ( G228) and has two meanings. In other words, this is the characteristic title for God in the Revelation. And when God does judge, it is not merely for the evil of those then judged, but of all from the first budding of it till that day. church (Acts 2:1ff). We find, accordingly, the four and twenty elders and four living creatures here brought before us for the last time. Accordingly it is another figure. Many scholars think the name should be Y-A-H-W-E-H. Begin by reading the Introduction first. These things were Christs return, Satans capture, Satans binding, the Millennium, Satans final end, the last judgment, and the new heavens and earth, including the New Jerusalem. As King of kings and Lord of lords he exercises Gods rule over all humankind, and in divine wrath punishes the wicked (13-16).An angel calls flesh-eating birds to prepare for a feast such as they have never had before, for the corpses on the battlefield will be beyond number (17-18). The voice of this great multitude was as the voice of __________ ______________. We usually pronounce it JEHOVAH; but the vowels in Jehovah are really those of the Hebrew word 'Adonay ( H136) , which means Lord, the name by which the Jews called God in order to avoid pronouncing the sacred name. His secret name indicates his unique authority (11-12). sound like "mighty thunderings". Revelation 19 begins with a multitude in heaven singing a doxology to God. The word is pistos ( G4103) ; it means absolutely to be trusted. In his cross and resurrection, Christ won a great victory over the powers of evil; by his second coming, he will execute that victory. He with the glorified saints will have their home on high, but none the less shall they reign over this very world for the allotted time. And the LAST WORDS (22:6-21). heaven. There was never a time in history in which such forces were drawn up against the Church as when the Revelation was written. The final shout is the praise of the host of the redeemed. . Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 19:11-21. (a) He is faithful. 1. This symbolic meal will take place at the establishment of the And yet in such times John calls God pantokrator ( G3841) . The Spirit of God implies that it is decidedly not the righteousness here which is by another, and we thereby imputed righteous, but righteousnesses personal and actual. See note at Revelation 1:16 and note; Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:16. goes . This, was no lack. Now we see the tree of life again. It will be interesting to find out. Centuries after came in, not only the division into east and west, but the broken up state of the west, when there ceased to be an imperial chief. God is praised because he has exercised his just and true judgment on the great harlot. There was the sad register of undeniable sin on the one side; there was no writing of the name on the other side. 4-18). Judas returned the money to the priests saying, "I betrayed innocent blood" ( Matthew 27:4 ). . actual ceremony. (John 12:48). 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. "True and righteous are thy judgments, O Lord.". 2:18-19). As long as Rome was pagan, there was neither the full bearing of the seven heads, nor did so much as one of the ten horns exist. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. yet are a large body of themselves. Another warlike expedition of the glorious head and husband of the church, with the success of it, ver 10, etc. But in this is shown what it is of importance to see the true nature of the kingdom or millennial reign. What is there to hinder it? At first reading, to some this sounds harsh, but it is referring to His ability to proect his sheep. So, Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw an angel standing in the sun ( Revelation 19:17 ); You can't do that unless you are an angel. The political side of this is described here with surprising brightness and brevity. There. Revelation 19:1-3. What does this particular rendition of God mean? "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. - CBSC, a sharp sword . That great multitude, I expect personally to be a part of that multitude. The significant thing about this great word is that it occurs ten times in the New Testament. Here is a grim picture of birds of prey being invited to come from all over the sky to glut themselves on the corpses of the slain. He is thrown into the abyss (see 9:1; 11:7; 17:8) where he is imprisoned for a long period, symbolized by a thousand years, so that he is no longer able to tempt the human race to rebel against God. God will judge Israel, namely, Jews living when He returns (Ezekiel 20:33-38), and the Gentiles living then (Matthew 25:31-46). The absence of a temple is therefore no loss but a gain for this city. But no; it was an absolute decree that went forth, and this indisputably, from a single head of the undivided empire. ", This chapter is one of the most dramatic in all the Bible. When Christ at God's right hand was announced, even from the very beginning, He was ready to judge the quick and the dead. The two of them were cast alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone; and the rest were slain with the sword of him who rides the horse, with the sword which comes out of his mouth; and all the birds were glutted with their flesh. Verse Revelation 19:15. The gospel of John and the Revelation perfectly disclose both, whether in grace or in judgment. It means true in the sense that Jesus Christ is the one who brings the truth and who never at any time has any falsehood in anything that he says. Note that there is no fighting or conflict of any kind in view here. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as a voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ( Revelation 19:6 ). 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Verse 6. "On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. In the Ascension of Isaiah ( Isaiah 9:5) there is a saying: "Thou canst not bear his name until thou shalt have ascended out of the body." It is the eternal state; and also, in fact, the fullest description of that state which is furnished in the Bible. You just have to come on the basis of God's grace and love for you and cast yourself upon His mercy, but that God is merciful. Lord our God:". It is the fault, however, of the bad Greek text of Erasmus, Stephens, etc. church (compare Matt. The spiritual power is wholly in the hands of the false prophet. But a grave consideration soon disposes of both views by the relation to the beast, and more particularly by what will be shown a little farther on. When Christ came personally to judge and govern the quick (Revelation 20:4), there were thrones; for the risen saints reign with Him. A single verse dispels clouds of arguments. He is a threat to them, because He tells you, you don't have to be religious to be accepted by God. In him was light; and that light was the life of man. almighty: having unlimited power. Pilate said, "I find no fault in Him. That is why religions fail. That a corrupt religion is better than none I will not say: at any rate it troubles men; it is a thorn in the side of those who want no religion at all. Only God is You have to accomplish certain works in order to be accepted by God. Sometimes they have contended for its application to pagan Rome. If only an imperial city, what has this to do with mystery? His eyes were as a flame of fire ( Revelation 19:12 ). But there is really no good work that you can offer to God that would be acceptable in His sight, but He will accept you just as you are if you will just cast yourself upon His mercy and just ask for His mercy and grace. Then another and immensely important act is described the binding of Satan. Here we see the chaste virgin 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 ( Revelation 19:7 ). It is all plain and simple "the beast that was, and is not, and shall be present.". Verse By Verse Acts Through Revelation can be taken as capably as picked to act. "Having a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel." Now the Lord in the end here is really putting a lot of emphasis upon the fact that these are true sayings. others may live (see article . Here we have described to us the visions of The Conquering Christ (19:11-16), the judgments of the beast and of the false prophet and of Satan (19:17-20:10), the judgment of the wicked (20:11-15), the visions of the New heaven, the New earth and the New Jerusalem (20:16-22;5). How can it be said that this vile, corrupt, idolatrous system of the last days was guilty of the blood of all martyrs? and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. No one really knows what the vowels in Y-H-W-H were. To the Christian this book is not sealed. The fall of Babylon being fixed, finished, and declared to be irrecoverable in the foregoing chapter, this begins with a holy triumph over her, in pursuance of the order given forth: Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets,Rev. he will rule them with a rod of iron . persecution are made the beasts provoking sins. Testament (compare Psalms 104:35; 105:45; 106:1; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1; 117:1; worship before the angel (compare 1:17; 22:8). ). This was an arrangement by both sets of parents, was legally binding 5:10). Thus such as were in the separate state were reunited to their bodies, and lived and reigned like those who were already on the thrones. Gods sovereignty (verse 6); and. R. H. Charles finely says that the marriage symbolism "denotes the intimate and indissoluble communion of Christ with the community which he has purchased with his own blood" a communion which is "first reached in fulness by the host of the martyrs.". "And so here we see Him, clothed in a vesture dipped in blood. It is "His story". He has condemned the great prostitute H. B. Swete says that this comprehensive phrase embraces "Christians of all intellectual capacities and social grades, and of all stages of progress in the life of Christ." For remark, the beast or Roman empire is described here as that which once existed, which then ceased to exist, and which assumes a final shape when it reappears from the bottomless pit. God is going to be fair and just. We do know some of His names "Jesus, the Christ, The Son of God, Shepherd, Redeemer, Saviour, Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of lords"----but the fullness of His love and power none of us has yet realized. So, I will be clothed in linen, pure and white and clean. The word of God, or the judiciary sentence of Christ according to it, and which he will fully execute, to the utter destruction of all his enemies; :- that with it he should smite the nations; the Gentiles, the Papists, the antichristian states, those that have adhered to Babylon, and have drunk of the wine of her fornication. The final supper will signify the end of the purified at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor. This "great voice" here is Revelation 19 New International Version Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon's Fall 19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! There is no doubt that Rome in some form is the woman described in the chapter: the seven heads or hills clearly point to that city, which of all cities might best and indeed alone be known as ruling over the kings of the earth. Then the angel quickly tells John not to worship him. THE DOOM OF THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST ( Revelation 19:17-21 ), 19:17-21 And I saw one angel standing in the sun, and he cried with a great voice to all the birds who fly in midheaven. A fourth century A.D. Christ will come in glory to judge and rule. But, further, we find that the saints who had suffered for Christ, during the time that the others were in heaven, are now reunited to their bodies and live, the Lord waiting for the last martyr that He might not leave out one of those who had died for His name. Then you may be very good all week long, and you put your little star behind each of the categories each evening. But still we have not the end of Babylon yet. Jewish dreams were full of the warrior Messiah, who would lead God's people to victory and smash his enemies. She followed and had inherited the spirit of all, from the days of Cain, who had lifted up their hands against their righteous brethren. for they are singing a song that includes mention of salvation. These are the martyrs of Revelation 6:1-17, those long since seen under the altar, poured out like burnt-offerings to God. not. 12:10; Here we learn at once of what His train consists. And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: This tells us something about our approach to Revelation. The church is the bride, THE TE DEUM OF THE REDEEMED ( Revelation 19:6-8 ). There is going to be another supper, a supper prepared by God for all the birds. "Praise our God," it said, "all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.". THE TE DEUM OF THE ANGELS ( Revelation 19:1-2 ), 19:1-2 After these things I heard what sounded like a great voice of a vast multitude in heaven. He says: "The possession of the prophetic spirit, which makes a true prophet, shows itself in a life of witness to Jesus, which perpetuates his witness to the Father and to himself" A prophet's message lies in the personal witness of his life, even more than in the spoken witness of his words. Take this quite simply and literally. Revelation. church. The word "rule" is "to shepherd" them, and the rod of iron is the club the shepherd used to fend off the wolves, bears, lions, etc. So, the great religious system, spiritual fornication is that endeavor to worship God in an unprescribed way. Their doom was awful, but by no means after the same sort as their two leaders. I have examined Him. Yet grace despised necessarily ends in judgment. Consequently there will be an increase in population such as never has been approached since the world was made, yet it afterwards appears, that Satan will not fail to turn the masses of the nations into one vast rebellion against the objects of God's special favour on the earth the saints wherever they may be, and the beloved city of Israel, as we have seen. There is therefore much to be said for the ]Protestant application of the chapter as compared with the Praetorist theory of pagan Rome. Beyond controversy, however, it is a most unusual and abnormal reappearance, which is altogether exceptional in the history of the world. So here He is sitting upon a white horse. Such was her influence stretching out far beyond the beast. It is a picture of final judgment. God has not told us how, nor is it our business. Commentary on Revelation 19:11-21. We say that he is great! But this passage confronts us with something which became of very great importance in the worship of the Church. It is no longer a question either of celebrating the ways and counsels of God, or of the war with the beast and king. And here is John falling on his knees before the angel that is giving him all of this revelation and he is so overawed and thrilled with what is in store for him he falls at his feet to worship him. "The tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God. It would be a constant fall. The armies of heaven are the hosts of the angels. Our own righteousness had been as filthy rags, but Verse 1. And there shall in nowise enter into it anything that defileth, nor making abomination and a lie: but only those written in the book of life of the Lamb." Jesus describes it as a place of outer darkness where he said there will be weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.Hell or Hades is located in the center part of the earth. And the coming of the Lord is urged in connection with it. This would not be fitting for the church nor the Christian. "Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing, for they have gathered together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, Let us break His bands asunder, let us cast off His law from us; but He who sits in the heavens will laugh for He will have the nations in derision. The prophet asks, "Why are you red in your apparel, and your garments like those that have been treading in the wine vat? Death and hades, which had so long been executioners in a world where sin reigned, and were still doing their occasional office where righteousness is to reign, themselves disappear where all traces of sin are consigned for ever. And her smoke rose up for ever "The kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour unto it" not into but unto. I am a servant of God just like you are. Religion is threatened by life, by spiritual life.So, God has judged that religious system and has avenged the blood of His servants at her hands. That is what prophecy is about. But that the heart of man even so is not renewed becomes manifest, when Satan at the close deceives all that are not converted; and these, as we are told, are countless "as the sand of the sea.". These are the faithful. Here is one of the most dramatic moments in the Revelation, the emergence of the conquering Christ. Men are not regarded as composing this tabernacle; they co-exist. Thomas viewed the second coming of Christ plus everything else through Revelation 22:5 as part of the seventh bowl judgment. This explains, it seems to me, the wounded head that was afterwards healed. He answers, "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. When God is so gracious, His word rich, full, and deep, it does seem sad to see His children content with just enough to save their souls, or keep them from positive starvation. It is for your sin that He is dying. Armies of angels are with him, but his conquest is not by armies or weapons. Still God acts in a wisdom far above man, and holds to His principles even there. And it was so. For Christ has not only a supreme but an exclusive place. Once again John finds his inspiration in the words of Scripture. On that account it was altogether out of place to pay homage to him instead of to the God who had sent him to serve. I would like to say a few words about this "fine linen". Christs Coming Kingdom). "That day" does not mean a time when everybody will be converted, but when the Lord Jesus will govern righteously when overt evil will be judged, and good be sustained perfectly for a thousand years. "Which did corrupt the earth with her fornication": Drew the kings and There are always those that say, "What about the people that haven't heard? "Yet is" is a most unfortunate expression. white, represents the righteousness of the church, which has now been judged and All this description closes in verse 5. This verse declares it, and there is no other interpretation that can stand even a moment's fair discussion. But to the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [is] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.". Isa_1.20; Isaiah 49:2; Isaiah 66:16; This is the weapon God uses to conquor the nations! It is of the seven in that point of view, because it is imperialism; but it is an eighth, because it has a diabolical source when raised up again. Jesus Christ was a threat to the religious leaders as He would be to all religious leaders. The return of Christ to earth 19:11-16. "For the glory of God enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof." I can hardly wait. God is said to smite men with plagues, e.g. William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 19:11. He is crowned as conqueror. You see, all of the fineries But there is a message also for others. . Past history therefore in no way suits the prophecy. We have seen her connection with the beast; but there is a conflict coming. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 16:16. This destruction of the last, most powerful empire in history marks the end of discover_revelation@charter.net 22:2-14; John 3:29; 2 Cor. In short, Babylon, the disgusting counterpart of the holy city, in earthly ambition seeks the kings and the masses for her own present objects, while the other suffers now and will reign then. The marriage of the Lamb: The wife or bride of Christ is the Not that any of those judged (and the scene described is solely a resurrection of judgment) are said to be written there: we are shown rather that they were not found in that book. The marriage 11:25-27). The marriage supper of the Lamb represents the millennial kingdom of Christ, Why then is the book of life mentioned? Revelation provided a message of hope: God is in sovereign control of all the events of human history, and though evil often seems pervasive and wicked men all powerful, their ultimate doom is certain. ceremony); The marriage of the Lamb: The wife or bride of Christ is the church (Matt. inhabitants of the Roman empire into wicked and idolatrous practices, and so The weapons of his warfare--A sharp sword proceeding from his mouth (Revelation 19:15; Revelation 19:15), with which he smites the nations, either the threatenings of the written word, which now he is going to execute, or rather his word of command calling on his followers to take a just revenge on his and their enemies, who are now put into the wine-press of the wrath of God, to be trodden under foot by him. Thus (without speaking of the resurrection of the wicked at the close) there were certainly more acts than one, not to speak of the two witnesses put to death and caused to rise after three days and a half, when the spirit of life entered them, and they not only arose, but went up to heaven, as we know. We had seen Babylon twice: first, in the circle of God's warnings and testimonies; and then as the object of God's judgment under the seven bowls. VI. This is accordingly traced in our chapter with considerable detail, and with the sorrow and vexation of all the different classes who on the fall of Babylon groaned over her destruction, and the loss of their wealth and enjoyment. Now there was nothing more repulsive and fatal to paganism in every form than the truth revealed in Christ, which exposed every thing that was not itself not the truth, definite and exclusive. And though they are but a seed, a His eyes are a flame of fire. (John 17:18). 8:38, Paul often used some of the most extreme things such as life and death to make a point. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 Commentary. Second Edition, Revised - 1871 they said, "because the Lord our God, the Almighty, has entered into his kingdom. Therefore says the angel, "I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, that hath* the seven heads and the ten horns. Second, he came from a world in which it was believed that God did not interest himself directly but made his contact through the demons (daimon, G1142) , by means of whom he controlled the natural forces and acted upon men. [issues, proceedeth, comes, came, goeth, comes out, ] . Then He is called the "True and faithful witness" in the third chapter of Revelation. II. This is a mistake. That righteousness that God puts on my account because I believe in Jesus Christ. The beast is the expression of the will of man setting itself up in direct antagonism to God. THE KING rides at the head of His armies. The temple would suppose a medium. And if you try to worship God in an unprescribed way, setting up little idols or whatever, which God has forbidden, that is spiritual fornication. faith during the Tribulation (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Zech. ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? Everything that could attract the natural man was there; and all that which to him looks fair enough on the side of religion. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great ( Revelation 19:5 ). Verse 10. First, he is remembering Psalms 97:1: "The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice." 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. Second, he alone has that purity which can judge without prejudice. Then the word is, "Award her even as she awarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she mixed, mix to her double. He has reserved the matter, though not without enough to guide our thoughts, as we have seen. the holy city Jerusalem. Nobody can dispute that this remarkable cluster of kingdoms in Europe was the fruit providentially of the destroyed unity of the Roman empire when the barbarians invaded it. It is no longer a question of sustaining His saints in grace, but of sovereign power for judging the earth. Leaving behind the subject of the power of evil in the world, the visions now move on to their climax. They are glorified saints, and not angels. That pagan Rome, therefore, should set itself against Christianity was to be expected, and so the fact proved. Let others speculate, if they will: I am persuaded that he who essays to conceive the details is merely striving to draw a bow beyond the power of man. He guards his people, allowing the wicked to exercise their power only within the limits that he has set according to his eternal plan. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. "His eyes are like a flame of fire" seeing all the secrets of our lives. It is all centered around Him. They had cried to the Sovereign ruler to avenge their blood on their foes, but they were told they must wait a little for some others, their fellow-servants and their brethren, to die as they had.