About This Chapter: Revelation chapter nineteen opens with a multitude of voices in heaven praising God for His righteous judgments. The elders and the living creatures worship God, and a voice from the throne summons God’s people to offer Him praise. The scene then shifts to a rider on a white horse whose name is King of kings and Lord of lords, followed by the armies of heaven. The beast and the false prophet are taken into custody and cast into the lake of fire burning with brimstone while their allied forces are killed with the sword that proceeds from the mouth of Him who is seated upon the horse.
Revelation 19:1–10 — Praise in Heaven
Revelation 19:11–16 — The Rider on the White Horse
Revelation 19:17–21 — The Final Confrontation
Revelation 19:1–10 — Praise in Heaven
Revelation chapter eighteen chronicled the destruction of the godless economic empire established by God’s adversaries. Unfortunately, many ungodly business practices are built on the assumption that God will never hold us accountable for our conduct. Revelation chapter eighteen thus serves to preview the ultimate end of any immoral economic philosophy.
That chapter also described the deep emotional distress of those who were left behind following the destruction of the blasphemous economic system known as “Babylon.” Revelation 18:11 identifies the source of their distress: “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore” (NIV). So, their concern did not stem from the loss of human casualties or the devastation that will take place. Instead, their sorrow was generated by the loss of a market for their products. That indicates that their primary (or perhaps only) motive involved financial gain.
However, there was a second group of individuals who responded in a very different manner. We will meet those individuals in the opening verses of Revelation chapter nineteen…
“After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.’ Again they said, ‘Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever’
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, ‘Amen! Alleluia!’ Then a voice came from the throne, saying, ‘Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!’ And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’
And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:1-8).
So when faced with the destruction of this blasphemous economic system, one group responded by weeping and wailing. The other group rejoiced. In a similar manner, the things we celebrate and the things that bring us distress often serve to reveal our true priorities.
We’ll continue to crisscross through these verses over the next few messages of our study in this chapter.
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“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” (Revelation 19:1 ESV).
“Hallelujah” is a familiar term to many, even among those who are aren’t very spiritual. But what does this word mean and how can we apply it in a manner that honors God? To answer those questions, we can begin with some definitions.
The word “hallelujah” is derived from two Old Testament words. The first is “hallal,” a word that means to praise or celebrate. (1) The second word is “jah,” which is a shortened form of “Yahweh,” the covenant name of God. (2) If we put these together, they form a word that means “praise God,” or “praise the Lord.” (3) “Alleluia” is an alternate form of this word that appears most prominently in the King James Bible and its derivative translations. Somewhat surprisingly, the only New Testament appearance of this word is here in Revelation chapter nineteen.
While “hallelujah” is an oft-repeated phrase in some circles, we would do well to consider these important definitions. For instance, when we praise a great athlete, we are giving that person the recognition he or she deserves. This is not a mindless platitude; instead, we take note of that individual’s performance and offer the praise that he or she warrants. The same is true of God on a greater scale.
We can turn to other examples to illustrate this idea as well. Most of us probably know what it’s like to work without receiving the credit we deserve for our efforts. It’s also likely that many of us know how it feels to toil away at a task while others receive credit for our work. But this heavenly assembly from Revelation 19:1 gave credit where it was due as they offered praise and recognition to God for his glorious attributes.
Our text from Revelation chapter nineteen thus serves as an important reminder. For example, does God receive the recognition He deserves for His provision in our lives? Does He receive credit for His blessings and benefits? Do we offer our thanks and appreciation for the things He has done on our behalf? Unfortunately, there are many who fail to do so.
There are multitudes who begin their days without thought or recognition of God. They eat and drink with little or no appreciation for the God who graciously provides those things. They go to work or school and use their God-given skills and talents without consideration for the God who has blessed them with those qualities. Therefore, we should avoid these negative examples and follow the good example we find here in Revelation nineteen as we offer God the praise and recognition He deserves.
(1) H1984 – halal – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h1984/kjv/wlc/0-1/
(2) H3050 – yâ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3050/kjv/wlc/0-1/
(3) G239 – hallelouia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g239/kjv/tr/0-1/
“And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, ‘Amen. Hallelujah!’” (Revelation 19:4).
Because God’s direct presence is not readily apparent to our senses, it’s often easy to take His benefits for granted. But even though God remains unseen, His provision is evident in the everyday blessings that surround us. From the air we breathe, to the food we eat, to the places we live, to the clothes we wear, God has given us a myriad of things we can thank Him for.
Our text from the opening verses of Revelation nineteen offers some other examples. For instance, Revelation 19:1 mentions salvation. The word “salvation” relates to the concept of “deliverance” when used in a spiritual sense. That act of deliverance involves God’s liberation of human beings from their state of alienation from Him. That state of alienation exists because “…all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT).
Unfortunately, everyone has failed to live up to the perfect standard that God established for the human family. In fact, God warned the very first human being that he would be subject to a death penalty if he disregarded the law and violated that standard (see Genesis 2:16-17). And as the Biblical book of James also reminds us, “…the person who keeps every law of God but makes one little slip is just as guilty as the person who has broken every law there is” (James 2:10 TLB).
This explains why Christ died in our place. Jesus accepted the sentence imposed upon humanity and satisfied the mandatory death penalty requirement through His sacrificial death. That sacrifice bridges the gap between God’s perfection and our imperfection, and those who accept Him by faith receive salvation (or deliverance) from an eternity of retributive justice.
The Gospel of John reiterates this point when it tells us…
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:17-18).
Since Christ became our substitute (1 Peter 2:24), we can now enjoy a relationship with God by accepting His sacrifice in our place (see Romans 10:9 and 2 Corinthians 5:19). These things should inspire our praise and worship, just as we see here in Revelation 19:4.
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7).
This reference to “glory” here in Revelation 19:7 conveys the idea of beauty, power, honor and/or the quality of God’s character that emphasizes His greatness and authority. As mentioned earlier, the word “glory” also expresses a good opinion that results in praise and honor for the person under consideration, as well as the characteristic qualities of excellence, preeminence, and dignity. (1) These attributes should prompt us to honor God with the recognition and respect He deserves.
These verses also tell us, “…true and righteous are His judgments” (Revelation 19:2). While many of us have experience with others who have lied to us, God never responds in such a manner. Instead, He always acts righteously in every situation. In fact, Numbers 23:19 offers this assessment of God’s character: “God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it” (GW). That testimony is even more impressive given the person who made it.
So despite the iniquities we experience today, God offers truth and fairness in a world that is often lacking in such things. These are qualities that should merit our expressions of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Revelation 19:7-8 then continues with the imagery of a bride who “…was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8 HCSB). To grasp the symbolic meaning behind this image, it may be helpful to consider a typical first-century marriage ceremony.
During the New Testament era, it was a common practice for Jewish parents to arrange marriages for their children. Following those arrangements, a young man and woman of marriageable age entered a period of “betrothal.” This resembled contemporary premarital engagements in certain respects, but was far more formal.
This betrothal period typically spanned a duration of up to one year. During that time, the groom customarily dedicated himself to the task of preparing the couple’s future home, a responsibility that often involved building an addition onto his father’s house. When everything was ready, the bride, groom, and their companions would gather for a procession to the couple’s new home. Following a wedding ceremony officiated by a priest, the newly married couple began their life together as husband and wife.
We’ll tie this imagery together with our text from Revelation nineteen next.
(1) G1391 – doxa – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1391/kjv/tr/0-1/
“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” (Revelation 19:8 KJV).
In one sense, God’s people might view their earthly journey as a period of betrothal, a time of preparation and anticipation before they enter eternity to begin a new life with Christ. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
So, much like the groom who leaves to prepare a home for his beloved, God’s people are likened to a bride who awaits a future home with her betrothed. In this analogy, Jesus is the “groom,” and the marriage relationship symbolizes the life He seeks to enjoy with His people.
We should also note another highly illustrative portion of this verse: “…his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints)” (NIV). Since a bride is often the center of attention at many wedding ceremonies, it is significant that our bride from Revelation 19:8 is arrayed in clean, bright, fine linen. This imagery draws our attention to the cleansing work that Christ does within us.
This reference to the “…righteous acts of the saints” is significant as well. For instance, the New Testament book of Ephesians offers insight into this passage when it tells us, “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Once we are reconciled to God through faith in Christ, we can truly fulfill the purposes for which God created us; those “good works” or “righteous acts” that are befitting these clean, bright garments. That brings us to a rather enigmatic section of Revelation nineteen…
“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.’ 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’” (Revelation 19:9-10).
Why would John include this uncomplimentary exchange in this record of his experience? We’ll consider that question next.
“At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus’” (Revelation 19:10 NIV).
This brief exchange offers circumstantial evidence to support the assertion that the Bible is a divinely inspired text. After all, what credible author would fabricate the unflattering self-portrait given to us here in Revelation 19:10?
So why would John, our author, include this embarrassing record of his rebuke? To address that question, we might look at several potential applications from this text. First, we might consider the emotional excitement that characterized the moment when John fell at the feet of this angel to worship him. This angelic response reminds us that a moment of spiritual fervor cannot justify unbiblical conduct. Those who “get caught up in the moment” of a spiritual experience should not use that experience as an excuse to engage in Biblically inappropriate behaviors.
Next, we should remember that nothing can take Jesus’ place as the object of our worship. Whenever we are tempted to worship someone or something else, we would do well to recall the swift rebuke offered by this angelic being.
Finally, those in positions of authority should note the directive issued by this angel: “Worship God!” Just as this angel redirected John’s focus towards God, those who hold leadership positions should follow this good example in their relationships with others who have been entrusted to their care.
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:11-16).
This horseman of Revelation 19:13 is Christ, for His name serves to associate Him with the “Word Of God“ mentioned earlier in the first verse of John chapter one. We’ll examine this portion of Scripture in greater detail next.
Revelation 19:11–16 — The Rider on the White Horse
“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 AMPC).
While it may not seem obvious from our text, this passage marks a watershed moment in human history, for this is the point where Jesus steps forward to begin making everything right. Consider the descriptive terms given to us here in Revelation 19:11-14…
Verse eleven:
- “[A] white horse.” This serves as a symbol of victory and purity.
- “He who sat on him was called Faithful and True.” His character is reliable, trustworthy, and genuine.
- “In righteousness He judges and makes war.” All His actions are fair and equitable, even the battles He undertakes.
Verse twelve:
- “His eyes were like a flame of fire.” Fire can be warm and comforting, or painful and destructive. Much the same can be said of our experience with Christ, depending on whether we embrace Him in faith, or dismiss Him in unbelief.
- “On His head were many crowns.” These are the crowns of a king who holds a position of authority. The fact He wears many crowns suggests that He is a person of supreme authority.
- “He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.” Perhaps the best way to interpret this reference is to say that no one comprehends Jesus completely except Himself. We will never run out of things to discover about Jesus, for He the only one who knows all there is to know about Himself.
Verse thirteen:
- “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood.” This might refer to the blood Christ shed at the time of His crucifixion, along with the events that preceded it.
- “His name is called The Word of God.” This offers a direct association with Jesus, as He is described in John 1:1-2: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”
Verse fourteen:
- “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.” This reference to white, clean linen coincides with verse eight, where God’s people were likened to a bride who was arrayed in the same manner. Their vantage point will enable them to bear witness to the greatest military victory in human history.
We’ll continue with this list of attributes from the following verses next.
“Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:15-16).
Roman soldiers of the New Testament era typically employed two different types of swords. The first was a 9-inch (23 cm) dagger. This was effective for use in hand-to-hand combat, or as a practical tool for various tasks. The second was a 2-foot long (61 cm) sword carried in a sheath. This was a deadly and intimidating weapon, and a soldier who brandished it was someone who was prepared to inflict serious harm.
This second type of sword is in view here in Revelation 19:15. As mentioned earlier, this is one of five separate references from the book of Revelation that links Jesus with a sword that is sharp and/or double-edged (the others are Revelation 1:16, 2:12, 2:16, and 19:21). And just as we saw in Jesus’ earlier message to the church at Pergamum, this sword emerges from His mouth. So what is the link between this formidable sword and its location? Well, this reference might make better sense if we expand our focus to include our interactions with others.
For instance, have you ever been injured by the words that were spoken by someone else? Have you ever been cut by another person’s remarks? Those experiences remind us that the things others say may sometimes produce a harmful effect. With this in mind, we might consider the function of this sword and its impact upon others. Is it possible that Christ will subdue His enemies merely with a spoken word?
Consider the following Biblical references and their potential relationship to this passage…
“And take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Finally, we might also consider the well-known creation account from Genesis chapter one. There, the phrase “God said“ appears eight times in conjunction with God’s creative work. Thus, we should consider the possibility that the same divine power that brought creation into existence may also dismantle portions of it as well.
Image Attribution (1): Michel wal, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image Attribution (2): No machine-readable author provided. Rama assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Revelation 19:17–21 — The Final Confrontation
“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, ‘Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.’
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh” (Revelation 19:17-21).
While it may seem ludicrous to believe that an armed force might actually prevail against Christ, one possible justification for this attack plan might involve Jesus’ first advent.
You see, Jesus’ death by crucifixion signaled an apparent victory for His enemies, and perhaps their intent is to finish the job they started earlier. This military confrontation thus reflects the enemy’s character, and fulfills one of Jesus’ primary objectives.
However, those who are expecting a titanic battle worthy of an epic movie will undoubtedly be disappointed. While these two great armies will square off against one another, there is something missing from these closing verses of Revelation nineteen. That missing element is an actual war between these forces. Instead, we’re simply told, “Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse” (Revelation 19:21 NLT),
Nevertheless, two specific members of this opposition force were apprehended: “…the beast was captured and so was the false prophet” (Revelation 19:20 CEV). These individuals were taken into custody and immediately sentenced: “Both of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (GW). Sulfur is alternately known as “brimstone” in some Biblical translations and typically emits the pungent odor of rotten eggs.
Much like the lava that flows from an active volcano, a molten lake of brimstone would radiate intense heat. It would smell awful as well. Thus, it represents an eternal destination we should seek to avoid.
Image Attribution: Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons