REVELATION 19: THE WEDDING, AND THE COMING OF CHRIST
Revelation 19:1
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God.
Alleluia—praise ye Jah! an adoring exclamation.1 Praise to Jehovah; a word used to denote pious joy and exultation, chiefly in hymns and athems2
“A great voice of much people in heaven”
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:4)
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. (Revelation 7:11)
Rejoice over her [Babylon], thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. (Revelation 18:20)
“Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God”
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)
[The angels, elders, and four beasts were] Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7:12)
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (Psalm 62:7)
God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. (2 Samuel 22:33)
The inhabitants of the world had looked to Babylon for help, security or the hope of salvation, but they looked in vain, for God alone is the source. Many looked to Babylon’s might and glory for refuge, not recognizing her falsehoods. As the anthem of praise commences in chapter 19, the theme is that God and His truth alone are the source of mankind’s salvation, and to Him alone belong glory, honor and power.
Revelation 19:2
For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
“For true and righteous are his judgments”
Judgment—decision for or against. By implication justice (specially divine law)3
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (Psalm 19:9)
And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. (Revelation 16:7)
God’s work of pronouncing sentence and executing justice is as much a part of His righteous character as are His love and mercy. In this anthem of praise the inhabitants of heaven acknowledge this fact. The long-suffering nature of God has been abundantly demonstrated toward man, but now righteousness demands justice.
“Avenged the blood of his servants”
And they [the martyrs] cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Revelation 6:10–11)
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:1–8)
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? (Psalm 74:10, see Daniel 8:13, for further references under how long.)
Through the ages, the question has arisen, “How long, Lord, will you suffer your people to be oppressed and Your truth despised?” Revelation 18 revealed how long the patience of God would continue before justice takes its course. God will intervene when the mark of the beast system has been implemented and God’s law universally despised and substituted by the laws of man, when Babylon thinks she has reached the apex of her power. Then “her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (Revelation 18:5).
In the judgment of Babylon the cry throughout the ages of “How long?” is answered, for God has avenged His servants upon the great whore. Chapter 19 is the praise of heaven’s inhabitants, who acknowledge God’s abundant long-suffering grace and love and approve of the verdict against earth’s irredeemable individuals and the apostate principalities and powers that constitute Babylon.
Revelation 19:3–4
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
“Four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God”
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:10–11)
And when he [the Lamb] had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 5:8)
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:14)
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. (Revelation 7:11)
And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God. (Revelation 11:16)
At different times in the book of Revelation, as new developments in the plan of salvation and God’s dealing with mankind have been revealed, we see the elders and the four living creatures falling down in worship and praise, to honor God for what He has done.
Here in chapter 19 we find the response of praise and adoration and worship coming from the elders who were redeemed from the earth (see Revelation 5:9) and from the living creatures. Both the elders and heavenly beings recognize the fairness of God’s dealings with mankind and the punishment of those who have set themselves against the light and truth of heaven.
Revelation 19:5–6
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
“For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”
Omnipotent—the all-ruling; i.e., God (as absolute and universal sovereign).4 Almighty; possessing unlimited power; all powerful5
The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord. For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. (Psalm 97:1–9)
The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. (Psalm 99:1)
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. (Psalm 96:10–13)
Revelation 19:1–7 is a great anthem of praise and adoration in light of God’s judgment of Babylon. During the millennia in which false religion and wickedness have prospered, the inhabitants of the world by word and action, have put God out of their remembrance, saying “The Lord hath forsaken the earth” (Ezekiel 8:12).
Yet all along God reigned throughout the universe. Now He declares of man’s rebellious reign on this planet, “I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more” (Ezekiel 21:27). The great controversy is now reaching its climax. The restoration of all things is at hand. The culmination of divine long-suffering and the end of evil brings forth praise for God.
Revelation 19:7
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.
“Marriage of the Lamb is come”
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13–14)
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. (Daniel 7:18)
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel 7:27)
“Wife hath made herself ready”
For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. (Isaiah 54:5)
For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. (Isaiah 62:1, 5)
And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord. (Hosea 2:19–20)
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2)
The above verses tell us God has desired to be to us a husband. Marriage represents the intimate communion God has desired with man since his creation. As in human marriages, so with the marriage of the Lamb: it is a process. It will begin when He ceases His intercession for man and the door of mercy shuts and He receives the kingdom prior to His coming in the clouds of heaven.
Marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital of the new earth and the home of the redeemed, a representation of the kingdom. It is called “the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Revelation 21:9).
The plagues upon the earth and the final judgment of Babylon represent both the avenging of God’s people and the signal that the “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom” (Daniel 7:27), will have been given into Christ’s hand. The persecuted saints have been sealed and a change of raiment given them. (See Zechariah 3:4.) Having passed through the great time of trouble, the saints are awaiting the Bridegroom’s return.
Jerusalem is the bride, for she is the mother of us all. Jerusalem represents the new covenant experience, and she is made ready for the wedding by the righteousness of the saints. A city is not really a city if it is without inhabitants. Therefore, the bride cannot make herself ready without God’s people being ready to inhabit her. Jerusalem is a representation of the kingdom. We, its residents, are the result of Christ’s redeeming work. New Jerusalem exists to be the home of the redeemed.
Throughout Old Testament times the announcement of the wedding and the Messiah to come was given. When the Son of God became flesh, the engagement took place, as Jesus became the “Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).
When Jesus on Calvary cried, “It is finished,” the dowry or ransom for our salvation was paid. Since Christ ascended, the bride has been awaiting the marriage, and the Bridegroom has been preparing the home, for Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself” (John 14:3).
Revelation 19:8
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white—for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people.) (Revelation 19:8 AMP)
“The righteousness of saints”
Righteousness—purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness as used in Scripture and theology, is nearly equivalent to holiness comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue. … in short it is true religion.6
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. and the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Psalm 37:39–40)
By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children: no one who does not practice righteousness [who does not conform to God’s will in purpose, thought and action] is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ.) (1 John 3:10 AMP)
New Jerusalem is the home of the saved, a home awaiting inhabitants, and a home Jesus has gone to prepare for His people. Christ and indeed all heaven longingly await the day when those for whom it was prepared will inhabit the city. Revelation 19 reveals the coming of that glorious day. But Jerusalem is a home only for the righteous. Therefore, Christ needs a people who will follow Him completely, for we read: “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:13–14).
The marriage will be celebrated when Christ has prepared a people who have surrendered to Him, a people who have allowed Him to recreate their hearts and lives “holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).
Revelation 19:9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called [invited] unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
The prospective guest list is large, since all are invited, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The confirmation of the guest list for this marriage is being made day by day, as human beings respond to Christ’s call to repent and be saved. But only those who are called and justified, and who walk with Jesus, shall He glorify. (See Romans 8:30.) The actual attendees of this marriage feast are only the glorified saints.
“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper”
Both Matthew and Luke identify the qualities of the guests at the marriage.
• Though undeserving of the invitation, the attendees have on the wedding garment, the robe of Christ’s righteousness. (Matthew 22:1–13)
• They are dressed and girded. In other words, they have a character and life made fit by the indwelling Christ. (Luke 12:35–37)
• Their lights are burning. They were earnestly studying and following the light of the Word of God prior to the wedding. (Luke 12:35–37)
• They are waiting and ready. They were separate from the world and following the Lamb with earnest expectation and hope. (Luke 12:35–37)
• The wise took oil in their vessels; i.e., they had the Holy Spirit in their experience, leading them to glorify Christ in lives of obedience and commitment. (Matthew 25)
• They were ready for the marriage, having separated from the world and its frivolity and vanity and sin, having characters made righteous by the power of redeeming grace. (Matthew 25)
Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, see thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
“I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, see thou do it not”
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. (Acts 10:25–26)
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein. (Acts 14:9–15)
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:8–10)
The great tragedy revealed in the book of Revelation, and indeed throughout Scripture, which leads to the eternal loss of billions, is the issue of false worship. Satan tempts mankind to put falsehood in the place of truth or to take that which is good and pervert it so the glory of God and the worship due Him are eclipsed by the doctrines and commandments of men.
The mark of the beast system and the great confederation of “Mystery Babylon” is the culmination of Satan’s efforts to receive worship from man. Mankind will be deceived into accepting the beautiful side of evil in the place of God’s light and truth. Therefore, the angel’s testimony to John regarding worship given to any other than God sounds down to our age in warning and admonition: “See thou do it not: … worship God” (Revelation 19:10).
“Testimony of Jesus”
Then I [John] fell prostrate at his feet to worship (to pay divine honors) to him, but he [restrained me] and said, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours.] (Revelation 19:10 AMP)
[The apostle John] Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (Revelation 1:2)
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17)
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (2 Peter 1:21; 1 Peter 1:10–11)
The testimony of Jesus is the inspired witness of His servants and the motivation and source of all true prophecy, which exults the truth of Scripture and glorifies Christ. Fidelity to the Word of God and His law is the precondition to having the spirit of prophecy. We read in Revelation chapter 1 that John and also the angel here in Revelation 19, both had the testimony of Jesus. This means, Jesus spoke through them to the church by the medium of Spirit inspired prophecy.
Revelation 19:11
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness.) (Revelation 19:11 AMP)
“And I saw heaven opened”
And straightway coming up out of the water, he [Jesus] saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. (Mark 1:10)
And [Stephen] said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56)
And he [Jesus] saith unto him [Nathanael], Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (John 1:51)
The opening of the heavens represents the revelation and intervention of God. Now Christ is depicted riding forth on the white horse of purity and power, to put down the long-standing rebellion of this planet and to take His people home.
“He doth judge”
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10)
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 14–15)
Through the long centuries of human existence, when men could have availed themselves of the mercy of God and made righteous through Christ, they refused to accept the offer. Preferring to indulge instead in the pleasures of sin or accepting false religion and the philosophies of men. Now Christ comes not as a Savior from sin but as a King, symbolically riding on the white horse. Christ’s coming now is for the redemption of His people and the judgment of ungodly sinners.
“Make war”
A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction. How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the Lord. The Lord hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord God of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans. Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left. (Jeremiah 50:22–26)
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:15–17)
This war will be a one-sided event, for who shall be able to make war with the Lamb? He is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16). Just as ancient Babylon fell, so shall the nations fall before the coming King. Yet, as we shall soon see, the rebellious heart of man is such that under Satan’s instigation “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” (Revelation 19:19). This warfare against Christ will be a futile endeavor, and it is a demonstration of the perverse heart of sinful men.
Revelation 19:12
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.
Name—name literally, authority or character7
“His eyes were as a flame of fire”
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire. (Revelation 1:14)
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire. (Revelation 2:18)
Christ’s eyes—like fire—will penetrate the heart and convict the wicked of their fate. Conviction now, however, is too late, for the day to be cleansed and saved by “His mercy” and “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” has passed (Titus 3:5). Now is the day of retribution for sin.
“On his head were many crowns”
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14)
Kings and princes wear crowns as a sign of their power and nobility. Thus, having a crown indicates the possession of power, royalty, executive authority, and kingly government. A crown is a symbol of honor, splendor, and dignity. When some project is “crowned with success,” that means it has been completed, accomplished, and finished. Thus, Jesus as “King of kings and Lord of lords” is crowned with multiple crowns, showing His undivided power and authority. The sharp sickle indicates His completion of the plan of salvation, as He has now come “to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).
Revelation 19:13
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
“He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood”
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. (Isaiah 63:2–4)
Even so it is that Christ, having been offered to take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins of many once and for all, will appear a second time, not to carry any burden of sin nor to deal with sin, but to bring to full salvation those who are [eagerly, constantly, and patiently] waiting for and expecting Him. (Hebrews 9:28 AMP)
To the righteous, the blood-red robe means redemption. However, to the wicked, the shed blood of the Lamb, the Word made flesh, and the sword of His mouth stand against them and condemns them. All upon the planet, except for the remnant, have been worshippers of the beast and have therefore rejected the blood of the covenant, thereby counting it an unholy thing.
These rejecters of God’s mercy will be judged without mercy. Those who have mocked the Son of Man and distorted His character or denied His incarnation and example of love and righteousness have no covering for their sins. The guilt of the murder of Jesus testifies against them.
“The Word of God”
Word—logos, the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)8
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1–4)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. (1 John 1:1)
At His first advent, Jesus came as the logos, the Word, to show us the nature and character of God, His love and mercy, and to bring salvation to all who would receive it. This same Jesus, the Word, comes to show the sure results of mercy rejected, the wrath and justice of God. In Christ and the Father, justice and mercy dwell in divine perfection.
All mankind deserves justice, but God has offered us mercy. However, mercy neglected or rejected brings its result, For the wages which sin pays is death”( Romans 6:23 AMP). Christ, in the full expression of His deity, now comes to execute justice. Yet even in wrath He remembers mercy, which is extended to His people, whom He will soon rescue and take to Himself.
Revelation 19:14
And the armies which where in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
“The armies which where in heaven followed him”
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. (Matthew 25:31)
“Followed him upon white horses”
Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled. (Jeremiah 4:13)
Horses in Scripture are often used in conjunction with war and judgment. Christ may come riding a horse, though this imagery is more likely symbolic. The fact that Jesus and the heavenly angels beyond number are seen to be on horses indicates that He is coming the second time as a conquering king to execute judgment.
Revelation 19:15
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
“Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword”
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)
Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. (Psalm 96:12–13)
“He should smite the nations”
But with righteousness and justice shall he judge the poor and decide with fairness for the meek, the poor, and the downtrodden of the earth; and He shall smite the earth and the oppressor with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. (Isaiah 11:4 AMP)
Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. (Jeremiah 25:30–33)
“Rule them with a rod of iron”
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:9–12)
And he [that overcometh] shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. (Revelation 2:27)
Revelation 19:15 is not speaking of some divine and benevolent dictatorship for a thousand years on this planet, for the very ones who are to be ruled are represented as being broken like a potter’s vessel. This is what the prophecy of Daniel predicted, that Christ the stone would grind into powder the kingdoms of this world when He comes. (See Daniel 2:35, 44.)
Revelation 19 makes it clear that all the apostate powers of earth shall be consumed, and the remnant of the wicked who have not been slain during the plague of hail are destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming. The wicked are slain, for the darkness of sin cannot dwell in the light and purity of deity, “for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).
Thus, without the protecting righteousness of God, the wicked cannot exist in the presence of God and the Lamb. “Trembling seizes the godless ones. [They cry], Who among us can dwell with that devouring fire? Who among us can dwell with those everlasting burnings? He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises gain from fraud and from oppression, who shakes his hand free from the taking of bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes to avoid looking upon evil” (Isaiah 33:14–15 AMP).
“Treadeth the winepress”
Who is this who comes from Edom, from the city of Bozrah, with his magnificent garments of crimson? Who is this in kingly robes, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, the Lord, announcing your salvation; I, the Lord, the one who is mighty to save!” “Why are your clothes so red, as from treading out the grapes?”
“I have trodden the winepress alone. No one was there to help me. In my wrath I have trodden my enemies like grapes. In my fury I trampled my foes. It is their blood you see upon my clothes. For the time has come for me to avenge my people, to redeem them from the hands of their oppressors. I looked but no one came to help them; I was amazed and appalled. So I executed vengeance alone; unaided, I meted out judgment. I crushed the heathen nations in my anger and made them stagger and fall to the ground. (Isaiah 63:1–6 TLB)
So the angel swung his scythe on the earth and stripped the grapes and gathered the vintage from the vines of the earth and cast it into the huge winepress of God’s indignation and wrath. And [the grapes in] the winepress were trodden outside the city, and blood poured from the winepress, [reaching] as high as horses’ bridles, for a distance of 1,600 stadia (about 200 miles). (Revelation 14:19–20 AMP)
Jesus trod the winepress alone upon Calvary. On our behalf He bore the wrath of God for us, that we may be covered by His blood and washed clean from sin. However, all who reject His death or place human substitutes and religion in the place of the everlasting gospel will only know the wrath of the Lamb, symbolized by the treading out of the grape.
Treading the winepress also symbolizes harvest time, as the juice of the grapes is pressed out for storage and future use. It is used in Scripture to indicate a time of judgment, and the pouring out of God’s wrath. The wicked and the enemies of God have their lives and glory taken away. The separation of the juice from the grapes leaves only the useless pulp. Thus it will be with the wicked. Their lives have ended, and the glory of their kingdoms and accomplishments, the fruit of their rebellion, ends up as useless as the pulp of the grapes. Their lives will end in infamy and shame.
Revelation 19:16
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Lord—Supreme in authority, i.e. controller9
“King of Kings”
Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. (1 Timothy 6:15)
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)
“Lord of Lords”
For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. (Deuteronomy 10:17)
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 136:2–3)
Christ is the King or Ruler above all rulers, the one who is supreme in authority and thus Lord over all others. Now He comes to establish His kingly authority and power and put down the rebellion of ungodly men.
Revelation 19:17
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God.
“Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God”
For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it. And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [frighten] them away. (Jeremiah 7:30, 33)
And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord God; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth. (Ezekiel 39:17–18)
Two suppers are revealed in Revelation 19. And what a contrast is there presented—to be food for birds of prey or to celebrate the great marriage supper of the Lamb. The judgments pronounced in the Old Testament will be repeated and will be far more extensive in the destruction of earth’s wicked inhabitants.
Revelation 19:18
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 on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
“That ye may eat the flesh”
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Matthew 24:27–28)
Revelation 19:19
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.
“Gathered together to make war”
Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. (Isaiah 34:1–3, 8–10)
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (Revelation 16:13–16)
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:12–14)
The warfare against God and His truth began in heaven with Lucifer and has been on going ever since. The above verses depict its final culmination at Christ’s coming, as, in delusive madness, the rejecters of God will have gone so far in rebellion as to think they can oppose Christ and the angels of heaven. However, as we read below, their futile attempt will end in destruction, for all those who oppose Christ and His truth and who persecute His people will be destroyed.
Revelation 19:20
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. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
And then shall that Wicked [lawless one] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
The beast and the false prophet that are cast into the lake of fire are the same two powers that were revealed in Revelation 13. The leaders and the system they lead shall be judged with fire. Our next verse tells us what will happen to all the adherents and followers who, either through fear or willing service, worship and follow the beast and the false prophet.
Revelation 19:21
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
“Slain with the sword”
For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many. (Isaiah 66:15–16)
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. (Isaiah 24:17–22)
Babylon is judged along with the wicked apostate powers of the earth. The remnant of the wicked are slain by the brightness of Christ’s coming. The earth is now depopulated, a fit prison house for the devil’s one-thousand-year isolation. It is obvious from Revelation 19 and from our related Scripture readings that there will be no millennial reign of peace of Christ upon this earth, nor a second chance given for people to accept Him. The day of hope and salvation has eternally passed for those who did not choose Christ. “Behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
For the redeemed, there is joy and celebration as the reign of evil is at last vanquished. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18). The promises to the overcomers mentioned in the messages to the seven churches are now theirs. Perfect satisfaction and happiness reign eternally.
Today it is our choice: shall we attend the marriage supper of the Lamb or be food for the scavengers of earth? Shall we welcome our Redeemer with abounding joy and spend one thousand years with Him in heaven, or will His coming be a harbinger of eternal destruction? Shall our lives end in infamy, shame, and destruction, or shall we be among the redeemed who, after one thousand years in heaven, come back with Christ to dwell with the Lamb and God in the Eden-like new earth? The choice is yours. May you choose wisely, my friend.
Endnotes
1. James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1987).
2. Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (San Francisco, California: Foundation for American Christian Education, 1967).
3. James Strong, op. cit.
4. Ibid.
5. Noah Webster, op. cit.
6. Ibid.
7. James Strong, op. cit.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
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