Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter Revelation 19, as well as the last Revelation 18, is an episode, delaying the final catastrophe, and describing more fully the effect of the destruction of the mystical Babylon. The chapter consists of the following parts: I. A hymn of the heavenly hosts in vie... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THESE THINGS - The things particularly that were exhibited in the previous chapter. See the notes on Revelation 18:1. I HEARD A GREAT VOICE OF MUCH PEOPLE IN HEAVEN - The voice of the worshippers before the throne. SAYING, ALLELUIA - The Greek method of writing “Hallelujah.” This word - α... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ARE HIS JUDGMENTS - That is, the calamities that come upon the power here referred to are deserved. FOR HE HATH JUDGED THE GREAT WHORE - The power represented by the harlot. See the notes on Revelation 17:1. WHICH DID CORRUPT THE EARTH WITH HER FORNICATION - See the notes on... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AGAIN THEY SAID, ALLELUIA - See the notes on Revelation 19:1. The event was so glorious and so important; the final destruction of the great enemy of the church was of so much moment in its bearing on the welfare of the world, as to call forth repeated expressions of praise. AND HER SMOKE ROSE U... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS AND THE FOUR BEASTS - See the notes on Revelation 4:4, Revelation 4:6. As representatives of the church, and as interested in its welfare, they are now introduced as rejoicing in its final triumph, and in the destruction of its last foe. FELL DOWN - Prostrated themsel... [ Continue Reading ]
AND A VOICE CAME OUT OF THE THRONE - A voice seemed to come from the very midst of the throne. It is not said by whom this voice was uttered. It cannot be supposed, however, that it was uttered by God himself, for the command which it gave was this: “Praise our God,” etc. For the same reason it seem... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I HEARD AS IT WERE THE VOICE OF A GREAT MULTITUDE - In Revelation 19:1 he says that he “heard a great voice of much people”; here he says he “heard as it were a voice of a great multitude.” That is, in the former case he heard a shout that he at once recognized as the voice of a great multitude... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE - Let all in heaven rejoice - for all have an interest in the triumph of truth; all should be glad that the government of God is set up over an apostate world. AND GIVE HONOUR TO HIM - Because the work is glorious; and became it is by his power alone that it has been acco... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO HER WAS GRANTED - It is not said here by whom this was granted, but it is perhaps implied that this was conferred by the Saviour himself on his bride. THAT SHE SHOULD BE ARRAYED IN FINE LINEN, CLEAN AND WHITE - See the notes on Revelation 3:4, Revelation 3:18; Revelation 7:13. White has, per... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAITH UNTO ME - The angel who made these representations to him. See Revelation 19:10. WRITE, BLESSED ARE THEY - See the notes on Revelation 14:13. WHICH ARE CALLED UNTO THE MARRIAGE-SUPPER OF THE LAMB - The idea of a festival, or a marriage-supper, was a familiar one to the Jews to represen... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I FELL AT HIS FEET TO WORSHIP HIM - At the feet of the angel. See the notes on Revelation 19:9. This is a common posture of adoration in the East. See Rosenmuller’s “Morgenland, in loco.” notes on 1 Corinthians 14:25. John was entirely overcome with the majesty of the heavenly messenger, and wit... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW HEAVEN OPENED - He saw a new vision, as if an opening were made through the sky, and he was permitted to look into heaven. See the notes on Revelation 4:1. AND BEHOLD, A WHITE HORSE - On the white horse as a symbol, see the notes on Revelation 6:2. He is here the symbol of the final victo... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS EYES WERE AS A FLAME OF FIRE - See the notes on Revelation 1:14. AND ON HIS HEAD WERE MANY CROWNS - Many diadems, indicative of his universal reign. It is not said how these were worn or arranged on his head - perhaps the various diadems worn by kings were in some way wreathed into one. AND HE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WAS CLOTHED WITH A VESTURE DIPPED IN BLOOD - Red, as if dipped in blood - emblem of slaughter. The original of this image is probably Isaiah 63:2. See the notes on that passage. AND HIS NAME IS CALLED THE WORD OF GOD - The name which in Revelation 19:12, it is said that no one knew but he him... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE ARMIES WHICH WERE IN HEAVEN FOLLOWED HIM - The heavenly hosts; particularly, it would seem, the redeemed, as there would be some incongruity in representing the angels as riding in this manner. Doubtless the original of this picture is Isaiah 63:3; “I have trodden the wine-press alone, and o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OUT OF HIS MOUTH GOETH A SHARP SWORD - See the notes on Revelation 1:16. In that place the sword seems to be an emblem of his words or doctrines, as penetrating the hearts of people; here it is the emblem of a work of destruction worked on his foes. THAT WITH IT HE SHOULD SMITE THE NATIONS - Th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE HATH ON HIS VESTURE - That is, this name was conspicuously written on his garment - probably his military robe. AND ON HIS THIGH - The robe or military cloak may be conceived of as open and flowing, so as to expose the limbs of the rider; and the idea is, that the name was conspicuously writ... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW AN ANGEL STANDING IN THE SUN - A different angel evidently from the one which had before appeared to him. The number of angels that appeared to John, as referred to in this book, was very great, and each one came on a new errand, or with a new message. Everyone must be struck with the imag... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE MAY EAT THE FLESH OF KINGS - Of the kings under the control of the beast and the false prophet, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 17:12. AND THE FLESH OF CAPTAINS - Of those subordinate to kings in command. The Greek word is χιλιάρχων chiliarchōn - “chiliarchs” - denoting captains of a thousan... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW THE BEAST - notes on Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:11. Compare Revelation 17:13. AND THE KINGS OF THE EARTH, AND THEIR ARMIES, GATHERED TOGETHER - There is allusion here to the same assembling of hostile forces which is described in Revelation 16:13, for the great decisive battle that is... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE BEAST WAS TAKEN - That is, was taken alive, to be thrown into the lake of fire. The hosts were slain Revelation 19:21, but the leaders were made prisoners of war. The general idea is, that these armies were overcome, and that the Messiah was victorious; but there is a propriety in the repres... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE REMNANT - The remainder of the assembled hosts - the army at large, in contradistinction from the leaders. WERE SLAIN WITH THE SWORD - Cut down with the sword; not rescued for protracted torment. A proper distinction is thus made between the deceived multitudes and the leaders who had decei... [ Continue Reading ]