Revelation Chapter 19

SECTION VI: The Final Eradication of Sin (Rev. 19:1 – 21:1)

In Section VI of Revelation, we see Jesus finally come to get His people and bring an end to the reign of sin. This section begins with the Second Coming, takes us through the events surrounding the millennium, and concludes with the new heaven and the new earth.

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Rejoicing in Heaven over Babylon’s Judgment and the Marriage of the Lamb (Verses 1 – 10)

In this heavenly sanctuary scene, John is not taken to heaven. Instead, he hears a scene of great rejoicing in heaven.

Verses 1-3

This spontaneous outpouring of joy is a response to the call given in Rev. 18:20.

A great multitude in heaven – This is the great multitude of the redeemed we first saw in Rev. 7:9,10. Their words of praise to God bring to mind the song of the one hundred and forty-four thousand in Rev. 15:2-4. The word “alleluia” literally means “praise God.”

Notice the reason for this outburst of joy: God has judged and avenged the blood of His servants. He has answered the cry of the martyrs in Rev. 6:10.

Note: Because the multitude of the redeemed is present in this scene of rejoicing, we know that it takes place after the Second Coming. The scene of the Second Coming that follows is a flashback, showing us how they got there.

Verse 4

The Sons of God and the covering Cherubim join the great multitude in their praise to God. “Amen” is an affirmation meaning, “so be it.”

Verse 5

Next, a voice from the throne invites further praise from “those who fear Him.” This scene is the fulfillment of the announcement given under the seventh trumpet in Rev. 11:18.

Verse 6

The song of the redeemed reaches a new crescendo, and is compared to the sound of many waters (Rev. 1:15, 17:15) and the sound of the voice of God.

Verse 7

The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready – The marriage here described is not Christ’s marriage to the church. He is already married to His church (see Ephesians 5:23,29-32). This marriage takes place when Jesus receives His kingdom at the conclusion of the judgment (Daniel 7:14). When Jesus receives His kingdom, the New Jerusalem is represented as His bride (Rev. 21:9,10), and the church is represented as the guests at the wedding (Matthew 22:2-14, 25:1-13). (SOP 1)

Verse 8

The fine linen that will adorn the New Jerusalem is the righteous acts of the saints. God’s people now fully reflect the righteousness of Christ (1 John 3:2), and their presence in the holy city is represented as its adornment.

Verse 9

A blessing is pronounced upon all who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Matthew 22:14. Note: A literal translation of this verse is, “Many are the called-out ones, but few are choosing for themselves.”)

These are the true sayings of God – Here the angel assures John that this wonderful blessing is absolutely true, because God has said it (compare with Rev. 21:5).

Verse 10

John is so overcome by the scene that he falls down to worship the angel. The angel quickly rebukes John, and assures him that he is a fellow servant, God alone is to be worshipped.

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy – Here is provided the definition of the term, “the testimony of Jesus” (see Rev. 1:2, 12:17).

1. The Second Coming of Jesus (Verses 11 – 16)

This description of the Second Coming depicts Christ as a conqueror.

Verse 11

A white horse – In the first seal (Rev. 6:2), Christ’s church is represented as a white horse. But that horse turned successively red, black and pale, representing the death of the horse. In this scene we see Christ’s response. He rides out of heaven on a white horse, coming to punish those who persecuted and killed His people.

He who sat on him was called Faithful and True – This title of Jesus is an assurance that He will never forget His promise to redeem us (John 14:1-3).

In righteousness He judges and makes war – Jesus is completely just in judging and avenging His saints (see Rev. 16:5,6). Indeed, He would not be just if He failed to punish the wicked according to their deeds.

Verse 12

His eyes were like a flame of fire – This is a symbol that nothing escapes Jesus’ notice when He judges and avenges. He will read the hearts of all (compare with Rev. 1:14).

On His head were many crowns – In Old Testament times, when one king conquered another he placed the conquered king’s crown on his own head, symbolizing that he was now the ruler of the conquered king’s domain (2 Samuel 12:29,30). Here the crowns on Jesus’ head represent that He has conquered all earthly kingdoms and is now ruling (Rev. 11:17).

He had a name written that no one knew except Himself – This name represents the new role in which He now appears, as the avenger of His people. Before this time, His role has been that of a merciful Saviour and a faithful High Priest. This act of punishment is called God’s “unusual”, or “strange” act (Isaiah 28:21).

Verse 13

He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood – The blood on Jesus’ robe is not His own, but that of the wicked (Isaiah 63:1-6).

His name is called the Word of God – Jesus is here called the Word of God (John 1:1) because He is in the act of fulfilling God’s Word.

Verse 14

Here are depicted the angels of heaven that accompany Jesus at His Second Coming (Matthew 25:31). The white robes they are wearing as they go to war remind us that they are completely just in making war against the wicked.

Verse 15

Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations – See Rev. 1:16. Here God’s Word is represented as a sword coming out of Jesus’ mouth. The same word that brought this world into existence will punish the wicked.

He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron – The rod of iron is another term for the sword that will strike the nations. This is a reference to a prophecy of the Messiah in Psalm 2.

Verse 16

It was the custom of ancient warriors to have some kind of title inscribed upon their garments. Here we see Christ’s new title inscribed on His robe. (SOP 2)

2. The Supper of the Great God (Verses 17 – 21)

In this section, the destruction of the wicked armies of Babylon is portrayed as bodies of the slain being eaten by birds of prey. This gruesome imagery comes from Ezekiel Chapter 39.

Verses 17,18

Another angel invites the birds to eat the flesh of the slain armies of Babylon (Ezekiel 39:1,17-22).

Standing in the sun – In the sign language of the Bible, the sun represents the glory of God’s character (Rev. 12:1). This picture of the angel standing in the sun as he makes this announcement, is another reminder that God is completely just and righteous in His treatment of the rebellious wicked. His character includes justice as well as mercy.

Verse 19

Here the Church of Rome and the nations that support her are gathered to fight against Jesus at His Second Coming (Rev. 16:13,14). This is another reference to the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16).

Verses 20,21

In Rev. 13:4 the question was asked, “Who is able to make war with [the beast]?” This scene provides the answer. Here we see the downfall of the powers that make up end-time spiritual Babylon, including all those who receive the mark of the beast and worship his image (compare with Rev. 13, 14:9,10, 16:13,14).

These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone – This points us ahead to the end of the thousand years, when all sinners will be destroyed in the lake of fire when God cleanses the earth of sin (Rev. 20:9,10).

The rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse – As noted in verse 15, the sword represents the Word of God. See 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10.

All the birds were filled with their flesh – This grotesque scene concludes with the birds’ response to the angel’s invitation given in verses 17,18. (SOP 3)

Spirit of Prophecy Quotations

1 “The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife." Said the angel to John: "Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." "He carried me away in the spirit," says the prophet, "and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." Revelation 21:9, 10. Clearly, then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper. Revelation 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride. Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;" He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2. Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to "sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob," at His table in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.” – The Great Controversy, page 426.

2 “Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man's hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man. In solemn silence they gaze upon it as it draws nearer the earth, becoming lighter and more glorious, until it is a great white cloud, its base a glory like consuming fire, and above it the rainbow of the covenant. Jesus rides forth as a mighty conqueror. Not now a "Man of Sorrows," to drink the bitter cup of shame and woe, He comes, victor in heaven and earth, to judge the living and the dead. "Faithful and True," "in righteousness He doth judge and make war." And "the armies which were in heaven" (Revelation 19:11, 14) follow Him. With anthems of celestial melody the holy angels, a vast, unnumbered throng, attend Him on His way. The firmament seems filled with radiant forms--"ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." No human pen can portray the scene; no mortal mind is adequate to conceive its splendor. "His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. And His brightness was as the light." Habakkuk 3:3,4. As the living cloud comes still nearer, every eye beholds the Prince of life. No crown of thorns now mars that sacred head; but a diadem of glory rests on His holy brow. His countenance outshines the dazzling brightness of the noonday sun. "And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords." Revelation 19:16.

“Before His presence "all faces are turned into paleness;" upon the rejecters of God's mercy falls the terror of eternal despair. "The heart melteth, and the knees smite together, . . . and the faces of them all gather blackness." Jeremiah 30:6; Nahum 2:10. The righteous cry with trembling: "Who shall be able to stand?" The angels' song is hushed, and there is a period of awful silence. Then the voice of Jesus is heard, saying: "My grace is sufficient for you." The faces of the righteous are lighted up, and joy fills every heart. And the angels strike a note higher and sing again as they draw still nearer to the earth.

“The King of kings descends upon the cloud, wrapped in flaming fire. The heavens are rolled together as a scroll, the earth trembles before Him, and every mountain and island is moved out of its place. "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people." Psalm 50:3,4.” – The Great Controversy, pages 640-642.

3 “At the coming of Christ the wicked are blotted from the face of the whole earth--consumed with the spirit of His mouth and destroyed by the brightness of His glory. Christ takes His people to the City of God, and the earth is emptied of its inhabitants. "Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof." "The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word." "Because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned." Isaiah 24:1, 3, 5, 6.

“The whole earth appears like a desolate wilderness. The ruins of cities and villages destroyed by the earthquake, uprooted trees, ragged rocks thrown out by the sea or torn out of the earth itself, are scattered over its surface, while vast caverns mark the spot where the mountains have been rent from their foundations.” – The Great Controversy, page 657.