Revelation 19NLT
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Revelation19

New Living Translation

1After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

2His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.”

3And again their voices rang out: “Praise the Lord! The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”

4Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the Lord!”

5And from the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”

6Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

7Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.

8She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

9And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

10Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”

11Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.

12His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.

13He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.

14The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.

15From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.

16On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

17Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.

18Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”

19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.

20And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

21Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 19.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The church in heaven and that on earth triumph, and praise the Lord for his righteous judgments. (1–10). A vision of Christ going forth to destroy the beast and his armies. (11–21).

vv1-10

Praising God for what we have, is praying for what is yet further to be done for us. There is harmony between the angels and the saints in this triumphant song. Christ is the Bridegroom of his ransomed church. This second union will be completed in heaven; but the beginning of the glorious millennium (by which is meant a reign of Christ, or a state of happiness, for a thousand years on earth) may be considered as the celebration of his espousals on earth. Then the church of Christ, being purified from errors, divisions, and corruptions, in doctrine, discipline, worship, and practice, will be made ready to be publicly owned by him as his delight and his beloved. The church appeared; not in the gay, gaudy dress of the mother of harlots, but in fine linen, clean and white. In the robes of Christ's righteousness, imputed for justification, and imparted for sanctification. The promises of the gospel, the true sayings of God, opened, applied, and sealed by the Spirit of God, in holy ordinances, are the marriage-feast. This seems to refer to the abundant grace and consolation Christians will receive in the happy days which are to come. The apostle offered honour to the angel. The angel refused it. He directed the apostle to the true and only object of religious worship; to worship God, and him alone. This plainly condemns the practice of those who worship the elements of bread and wine, and saints, and angels; and of those who do not believe that Christ is truly and by nature God, yet pay him a sort of worship. They stand convicted of idolatry by a messenger from heaven. These are the true sayings of God; of Him who is to be worshipped, as one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

vv11-21

Christ, the glorious Head of the church, is described as on a white horse, the emblem of justice and holiness. He has many crowns, for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is arrayed in a vesture dipped in his own blood, by which he purchased his power as Mediator; and in the blood of his enemies, over whom he always prevails. His name is “The Word of God;” a name none fully knows but himself; only this we know, that this Word was God manifest in the flesh; but his perfections cannot be fully understood by any creature. Angels and saints follow, and are like Christ in their armour of purity and righteousness. The threatenings of the written word he is going to execute on his enemies. The ensigns of his authority are his name; asserting his authority and power, warning the most powerful princes to submit, or they must fall before him. The powers of earth and hell make their utmost effort. These verses declare important events, foretold by the prophets. These persons were not excused because they did what their leaders bade them. How vain will be the plea of many sinners at the great day! We followed our guides; we did as we saw others do! God has given a rule to walk by, in his word; neither the example of the most, nor of the chief, must influence us contrary thereto: if we do as the most do, we must go where the most go, even into the burning lake.

Cross References

Revelation 19
v13Isaiah 63:1-5allusion

Textual basis for the vesture dipped in blood and treading the winepress of wrath.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v17Ezekiel 39:17-20allusion

Direct Old Testament background for the 'supper of the great God' and the fowls devouring flesh.

Supported by JFB

v6Psalms 149:4-9thematic

Identified by JFB as identical in phrasing and theme to the Hallelujah on the destruction of foes.

Supported by JFB

v13John 1:1thematic

Connects Christ's title 'The Word of God' with John's foundational Gospel prologue.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v16Revelation 17:14thematic

Parallels Christ's title 'King of kings, and Lord of lords' and his victory with his chosen armies.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

Direct parallel where John again attempts to worship the angel and is corrected.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v11Psalms 45:3-7typology

Messianic psalm of the warrior King riding forth in truth, meekness, and righteousness.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v20Revelation 20:10thematic

Verifies that the beast and false prophet remain in the lake of fire.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Identifies the beast and false prophet (miracle worker) first introduced in chapter 13.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Scriptural promise that God will avenge the blood of his servants.

Supported by JFB

v7Matthew 22:2thematic

Parallels Jesus' parables regarding the marriage feast of the King's Son.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v8Isaiah 61:10thematic

Old Testament source for being clothed in garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

Parallels Christ destroying the lawless one with the breath of his mouth.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v15Psalms 2:9allusion

Prophetic declaration of Christ ruling the nations with a rod of iron.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v15Isaiah 11:4allusion

Messianic prophecy of smiting the earth with the rod of his mouth.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Parallels the judgment language of smoke rising up for ever and ever.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v6Ezekiel 1:24allusion

Ezekiel's description of the voice of the Almighty as the noise of many waters.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v11Revelation 6:2contrast

Contrasts the first white horse rider (conquering) with Christ's final, ultimate entry.

Supported by JFB

v19Revelation 16:14thematic

The gathering of the kings of the earth for the battle of the great day.

Supported by Matthew Poole

New Testament concept of the Church espoused to Christ as a chaste virgin.

Supported by JFB