14/10/18 Revelation 19:11-21 “The antichrist utterly defeated at Armageddon”

This is culmination of God’s statement, “It is done” of Revelation 16:17.

 

Revelation 19:11And 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.

 

And I saw heaven opened (not the act of opening but already opened when John saw it), and behold (lo) a white horse.

 

The open door strongly suggests that the judgment of God, having been for so long held back, is now unleashed; the door figuratively denotes the floodgates of judgment now opened against the gates of hell itself. The flood will no longer be held back.

 

Some commentaries have this rider as the same person on a white horse in Revelation 6:2, yet that one had a stephanos crown (like a laurel wreath of victory) whereas the one in today’s passage has many diadema crowns (a kingly crown, a sign of ruling authority). The first one was satan going forth to take victory (albeit temporarily) over the earth, while this one today is already the Majesty on high and is going out to take permanent victory over the previous temporary victor. Today’s rider is Faithful and True, both titles that only God (and never satan the father of all lies) can use.

 

truealethinos (that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name; real; true; genuine; opposite to what is fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended; true; veracious; sincere) Used in Revelation 19:2 last week, where it says For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, where “righteous” comes from the same root word as “righteousness” today. This rider is clearly the same as the one who judged Babylon just before these events of today’s passage take place.

 

This is Christ the Messiah who comes to avenge His people, who will look upon Him and finally recognise the One whom they crucified so long ago.

Zechariah 12:10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.

 

The judgment of God will be righteous; not one will suffer in eternity for something he didn’t do.

Ezekiel 18:20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

 

Up to this point in time, satan may have thought that there might just be a possible chance that he could win. But God has not until now shown the might and power of which He is infinitely capable. At this point now, though, satan would have to be realising that he had utterly underestimated the authority and power of Christ the Messiah. Satan would now realise that his case is indeed hopeless, but it is too late for him to turn back now. Utter destruction for satan and his people is all that remains now.

 

Revelation 19:12His 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.

 

Christ’s eyes are like flaming fire. Fire symbolises the purifying judgment of God. Fire burns up all dross, leaving only that which is eternal.

Zechariah 13:9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The Lord [is] my God.

1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 3:11-1511 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

 

He wears many crowns (diadema) upon His head, signifying no doubt His absolute right to be declared King of kings and Lord of lords (see Vs 16 below).

His name itself is a statement of His lordship over all creation.

Philippians 2:9-119 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Christ will give to His people a name that only His people can know.

Revelation 2:17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].

that no man knew, but he himself – This could relate to the meaning of His name, that only Christ could know or have understanding as to the importance or value of His name.

 

Revelation 19:13And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

 

This symbolises the treading of the lost of earth in the great wine vat of God’s judgment.

Isaiah 63:2-42 Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 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. 4 For the day of vengeance [is] in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

 

The winepress pictures the slaughter of huge numbers of mankind at the battle of Armageddon (and other related judgments of God at that time).

Revelation 14:18-2018 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.

 

His name is called (kaleo – called; called aloud; called by name) the Word (Logos) of God (Theos).

This name sets Christ the Messiah apart from all other beings in creation, for this is a name that no other may have, a name that may not be fully comprehended by any other than Christ who is God. This name is His authority to tread the wine press of judgment.

Note Hebrews 4:12For 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.

 

Note that “the word (uncapitalized) of God” uses a similar phrase, here likened to a two-edged sword. Revelation 19:15 also appears to connect a two-edged sword with the one who has the name “The Word of God”, although there it is a larger sword than the one in Hebrews 4:12. It is my suggestion that the sword that does the slaughter is actually the word of God, as was also His creation.

Psalm 33:4-94 For the word of the Lord [is] right; and all his works [are done] in truth. 5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Revelation 19:14And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

 

These are probably the saints or the bride of Christ, as portrayed in

Revelation 19:7-87 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. `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.

 

They are the called, chosen and faithful; they are the elect of God (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father – 1 Peter 1:2a).

Revelation 17:14These 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.

 

white horses – horses signified might and assumed victory in battle; white signifies the purity of those riding them. The victor would also usually ride a white horse; see Revelation 6:2.

 

Revelation 19:15And 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 (or fierceness of the wrath?) of Almighty God.

 

See Vs 13 above for notes on the winepress.

 

This is the same sword as Rev 1:16 (where it says “two-edged”) and the one which He slays the wicked in Vs 21 below. Note that the two-edged sword in Hebrews 4:12 is a smaller sword, or a sacrificial knife. The sword in the mouth of Christ probably signifies the power of the spoken word of God alone, in both creation, judgment, and destruction.

John 12:47-5047 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 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. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

 

should smitepatasso (to strike gently: as a part or a member of the body, with the sword; to afflict; to visit with evils, etc. as with a deadly disease; to kill; slay)

shall rulepoimaino (to feed; to tend a flock; keep sheep; shepherd; rule; govern; nourish; to supply the requisites for the soul’s need)

fiercenessthymos [passion; anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again; glow; ardour; the wine of passion, inflaming wine (which either drives the drinker mad or kills him with its strength)]

wrathorge (anger; the natural disposition; temper; character; violent emotion, especially anger; indignation) We get our word “orgy” from this word. the primary goal of the orgia was to achieve an ecstatic union with the divine. (Wikipedia)

Almighty – translated “omnipotent” in Revelation 19:6.

 

that with it (the sharp sword) He (Christ) should smite (visit with evils; slay; kill) the nations (ethnos – ethnic groups): and He shall rule (or shepherd) them with a rod (staff; rod with which one is beaten) of iron: and He treads (tramples; crushes with the feet) the winepress of the fierceness (passion) and wrath (violent emotion of anger) of Almighty God (omnipotent  God).

 

Revelation 19:16And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

vesture – garment; cloak; mantle; upper garment or outer garment

 

Revelation 17:14These 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.

1 Timothy 6:14-1514 That thou keep [this] commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

This is written on His upper or outer garment (probably cloak or mantle) and probably also written on His lower garment (perhaps something like a tunic). This is a proclamation of His authority to bring judgment upon the earth.

 

Revelation 19:17And 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;

 

This angel was probably standing in a place where everyone could see him; no bird could fail to get this message! Not only was he totally visible to all, but he was loud as well (megas phone). Every flying bird would see and hear this angel, and clearly they would also understand the message to come to a feast provided by the great God (megas Theos).

 

Obviously there was going to be a great slaughter. Like a massive road kill that attracts many birds, this would attract all birds (all the fowls). Just as Jezebel became the food for dogs, these slaughtered in God’s great winepress will become food for birds. This is the sacrifice of all those wicked that oppose God at this time. Judgment will become sacrifice.

Isaiah 34:6The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, [and] with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

 

Revelation 19:18That 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 you (the birds of the air) might eat (consume) the flesh of kings (leaders; princes; commanders), and the flesh of captains (commander of 1000 soldiers or a Roman cohort (military tribunal); any military commander), and the flesh of mighty men (strong in body or mind), and the flesh of horses, and of them who ride them (the horses), and the flesh of everyone else (free and slave, small and great).

 

That is, the birds of the air may eat the flesh of all who fall in this great battle of Armageddon. All these dead will become merely carrion (like road kill!) for birds to eat. None will escape!

 

Revelation 19:19And 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 togethersynago (the drawing together into one, Eg a fish net; assemble together; to gather together as one – a synthesis of one from the many)

This is Armageddon! All the antichrist’s armies are gathered together as one under the beast and his kings (leaders) in order to make war against the one who is sitting on the horse (Christ the Messiah) and against His army (the bride of Christ as per Revelation 19:8 & 14). While only Christ will take part in the actual combat and slaughter, the enemy’s forces have actually been targeted against the people of God as much as against God and His Christ. The enemy has no way of opposing Christ effectively, so he picks on the softer target, the people of God. Yet Christ Himself, their champion, will fight the battle, avenging His people who have suffered greatly for His cause.

1 Peter 2:20-2120 For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

 

Revelation 19:20And 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.

 

The inevitable happens: as prophesied by God, Christ (on behalf of His people) wins the battle; the beast (of Revelation 13:1) was taken captive, together with the false prophet (the 2nd beast – Revelation 13:11) who

(a) causes mankind to worship the 1st beast, who does great wonders, deceiving mankind into making and then worshipping an image of the 1st beast,

(b) causes those who refuse to worship to be put to death,

(c) causes all (who worship the image of the beast) to be given the mark of the beast, and

(d) causes no-one to buy or sell without the mark of the beast.

 

The taking of the mark condemned the beast and the false prophet to be thrown alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (note Daniel 7:11I beheld [even] till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

Note that (a) ignorance of the consequences of taking the mark and/or worshipping the beast was no excuse, for they have been deceived by the false prophet into doing so, (b) this wording appears to list two groups of people: those who take the mark of the beast, and those who worship his image, although it may be safely assumed that all people in one group would be in the other.

These both = “They twain”, referring to the beast and the false prophet.

 

Revelation 19:21And 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.

 

And those remaining – other than the beast and the false prophet – were slain with the sword of Christ (which proceeded out of His mouth) on the white horse, and all the birds of the air were filled to satisfaction with the flesh of the slain.

Revelation 14:20And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.

 

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