Revelation 19 Study Notes

19:14 Since the armies accompanying the Lord are wearing pure white linen, as did the Lamb’s wife (v. 8), this is another image for the same group elsewhere called the “vast multitude” (vv. 1,6; 7:9) and the “heaven dwellers” (12:12; 13:6). On why these are not angels, see note at 17:14. White horses implies that Christ allows his people to participate in the climactic victory, as they later reign with him (20:6).

19:15-16 God’s word pictured as a sharp sword looks back to the description of the Son of Man in 1:13-16. Strike the nations is reminiscent of Ps 2:9. Rule . . . with an iron rod is the end-time fulfillment of what was predicted of the newborn Son in 12:5. On the winepress of the fierce anger of God, see note at 14:14-20.

19:17-19,21 The great armies of the earth, led by the beast and the kings of the earth, assemble to make war against the Lamb (apparently at Armageddon; see notes at 16:12-14,16). But they end up being killed by the sword that comes out of the mouth of the rider on the white horse (Christ) and fed to the birds at the great supper of God.

19:20 The beast (see note at 13:1-3) and the false prophet (see note at 13:11) are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire, apparently the first to be sentenced there (Mt 25:41). They are not destroyed, but will suffer torment forever (Rv 20:10).