Revelation 19

Passage overview

Revelation 19 contains a vision of God’s judgment on evil, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and the wedding feast of the Lamb. After the fall of Babylon (evil) is announced in chapter 18, in chapter 19 voices of praise ring out from heaven, confirming God’s victory over the power of evil. This chapter reveals that God is Lord over history, and it proclaims that in the end, righteousness will prevail.

1verseAfter these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God;

2versefor his judgments are true and righteous. For he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and he has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.”

3verseA second said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke goes up forever and ever.”

4verseThe twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen! Hallelujah!”

5verseA voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!”

6verseI heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!

7verseLet’s rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let’s give the glory to him. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.”

8verseIt was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

9verseHe said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.’” He said to me, “These are true words of God.”

10verseI fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.”

11verseI saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.

12verseHis eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself.

13verseHe is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.”

14verseThe armies which are in heaven, clothed in white, pure, fine linen, followed him on white horses.

15verseOut of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.

16verseHe has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

17verseI saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, “Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God,

18versethat you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, small and great.”

19verseI 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.

20verseThe beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

21verseThe rest were killed with the sword of him who sat on the horse, the sword which came out of his mouth. So all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Flow of the Content and Structure

  • Verses 1-5: A great multitude in heaven and the elders praise God’s judgment and salvation. They rejoice that Babylon (the system of evil) has been judged, and they exalt that God has judged justly.
  • Verses 6-10: God rules as the Almighty King. He announces that the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is near and that the saints have been prepared as His bride. The angel emphasizes to John that worship is to be directed only to God.
  • Verses 11-16: The one riding a white horse (Jesus Christ) appears to judge and fight in righteousness. Jesus’ identity and authority are revealed through various titles (faithful and true, the Word of God, King of Kings, and so on).
  • Verses 17-21: A gathering army of evil (the beast and the false prophet) rises against Jesus, but they are decisively defeated and face the final judgment.

Reflecting on the Overall Meaning

Revelation 19 declares that God ultimately leads the world with justice and goodness, and that the power of evil cannot last forever. Jesus Christ appears as the King of victory and the faithful Judge, and His bride (the saints) welcomes Him with purity and readiness. The wedding feast symbolizes God’s love for His people and the completion of salvation. This chapter evokes hope in ultimate victory and reverence for the righteous rule of God.

Points to Ponder

  • How much do I trust in God’s final victory?
  • When I see the faithfulness of Jesus Christ and the judgment of justice, does hope and comfort add to my life?
  • As a saint, what does “preparation of the bride” mean in my everyday life?

Applying It to Me

  • Trust in God’s rule and plan, and live each day with gratitude and praise
  • In daily life, strive to maintain purity and faithfulness that align with God’s will
  • Have the courage to practice God’s justice and love without submitting to evil and injustice