Read Revelation 19:11–21
Questions from the Scripture text: What did John see opened? What did he see there? What was its rider called? What two things does He do in righteousness? What are His eyes like (v12)? What is on His head? What was written, and who knew it? What was his clothing dipped in (v13)? What was His Name called? Who follow Him (v14)? Dressed in what? Riding on what? What went out of His mouth (v15)? Whom does He strike with it? What else does He do to them? What does He tread? What name does He have written in what two places (v16)? Whom does John see in v17? Standing where? To whom does he cry loudly? Telling them to come to what? In order to eat what (v18)? What three entities does John see in v19? What are they gathered to do? Against Whom? Who were captured in v20? Where were they cast? What happened to the kings of the earth and their armies (v21)? What do the birds do?
What happens in the final battle? Revelation 19:11–21 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in the final battle, Jesus Himself destroys all of His and our enemies.
vv1–10 had ended with the great marriage feast of the lamb. Now this passage proceeds to another, very different feast. There is a great war with a great King, and the outcome is so sure that the birds are invited to it as to a great feast (v17–18).
The identity of the King. The outcome is sure because of Who the King is. He is called Faithful and True (v11, cf. 3:14). In righteousness He judges and makes war (cf. v2). His eyes are as flames of fire (v12, cf. 1:14). On His head are many crowns, indicating that He is the King of kings (cf. v16). The blood on His robe (v13) is that of those who are under His wrath (cf. Isa 63:1–6). He is God, the Word (cf. Jn 1:1–14). He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords (v16, cf. Dt 10:17, Dan 2:47, Php 2:11).
The vengeance of the King. He strikes with the rod/sword of His mouth (v15, cf. Is 11:4, Rev 1:16). He rules with a rod of iron (cf. Ps 2:8–9). He treads the winepress of God’s own wrath (cf. 14:20, Is 63:1–6). He casts two members of the faux trinity alive into the lake of fire (v20) and kills the rest with the sword from His mouth. He leads the holy, heavenly armies of v14, but He Himself accomplishes the entire victory.
Will you be part of the bride in the first feast, or the destroyed in the other feast? When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, the saints will enjoy their rest, glorify Him, and admire Him (cf. 2Th 1:7, 10). But on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, He will take vengeance in flaming fire and punish them with everlasting destruction from His presence and from the glory of His power (cf. 2Th 1:8–9). Obey the gospel! Turn, from sin and self, unto the Lord Jesus!
How does one come to be part of the bride of Christ? Have you done this? What awaits you in the last day?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for being forgetful of the glory of Jesus Christ, and the day of His great wrath that is coming soon. We deserve that wrath, so we hide ourselves in Him as our hope of being members of His bride in the last day. Grant that it would be so, and give us to glorify and admire Him in that great day, we sk in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”