DAY #363: Revelation 18:1-19:21

After reading through chapter 18, we focus on chapter 19 this morning. Chapter 19 is a passage on praise and worship of Jesus Christ.

This passage of scripture is the only place in the New Testament where the word hallelujah is found, and it occurs in verses 1, 3, 4, and 6. The word is derived from a combination of two Hebrew words, halal and Jah, meaning “Praise Yahweh” or “Praise God.” The word can be found in the Old Testament, especially in Psalms 113–118, known as the Hallelujah psalms.

The song in Revelation praises God for his just and true judgments. He is praised for avenging the murders of his people. The punishment of the evil adversaries of God and his people is cause for praise in heaven. God has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and he has avenged the murder of his servants.

The twenty-four elders and the four living beings joined with the vast crowd in praise to God, who was sitting on the throne. They fell down in worship, indicating a position of total humility and subservience to God. They cried out Amen, affirming what God had done.

Later in this passage, the vision shifts again. Heaven opened and Jesus appeared, this time not as a Lamb but as a warrior on a white horse (symbolizing victory). Jesus had come first as a Lamb to be a sacrifice for sin, but he will return as a Conqueror and King to execute judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Jesus’ first coming brought forgiveness; his second will bring judgment. The battle lines had been drawn between God and evil, and the world was waiting for the King to ride onto the field.

Although Jesus is called “Faithful and True,” “Word of God”, and “King of kings and Lord of lords”, these verses imply that no name can do him justice. He is greater than any description or expression the human mind can devise.

His eyes were bright like flames of fire. Christ’s many crowns symbolize his ultimate authority. He has a name written on him, and only he knew what it meant. Although many possibilities have been proposed, most likely this is a name that the believers were not meant to know, at least not yet.

The believers who had come out of the Great Tribulation had “washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white” (7:14). Christ himself, when he rides to the earth on the white horse, will be clothed with a robe dipped in blood.

Accompanying Christ are the armies of heaven, referring to all believers who have been taken to heaven (in the Rapture, which will have occurred at some point prior to this although believers are divided as to when this will happen). Here the believers will be returning to earth with Christ as part of his vast army. They will be dressed in pure white linen. Some suggest that this army will be angels because Christ had spoken of returning with his angels (Matthew 24:30-31). Most likely, however, this army will be believers because Revelation 17:14 says that the victory will come through the Lamb “and his people.”

The picture of Christ ruling with an iron rod (or scepter) describes him beating down the nations. This is not a king’s scepter that is merely symbolic of power; instead, it is a club with which he will destroy them. The psalmist had written of the Messiah, “You will break [the nations] with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots” (Psalm 2:9).

Lastly, Christ is pictured as treading the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. The winepress image appeared in 14:19-20; it describes God’s great wrath against those who had rejected him. Here, God’s fierce anger is directed at all of sin personified. At this point, God will totally destroy sin and evil. A winepress is a large vat where grapes are collected and then crushed. It is often used in the Bible to symbolize judgment (Isaiah 63:3-6; Lamentations 1:15; Joel 3:12-13).

Most of the world will be worshiping the beast, the Antichrist, whom they believe has all power and authority. Then suddenly out of heaven Christ and his army will appear. On his robe and thigh (easily seen, for he is on a horse) was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords. This title indicates God’s sovereignty. It is used elsewhere in Scripture, always indicating God’s absolute sovereignty over all other kings and lords (see 17:14; Deuteronomy 10:17; Daniel 2:47; 1 Timothy 6:15).


The beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to fight against the one sitting on the horse (Christ) and his army (the redeemed). The battle lines had been drawn, and the greatest confrontation in the history of the world was about to begin.

The two armies sat facing each other—the beast and all the kings of the earth versus the rider on the white horse and his redeemed people. Suddenly, the battle was over. There was no fight, for, in a second, the end had come. There was no need for a battle because the victory had been won centuries earlier when the rider on the white horse, Christ, had died on a cross. At that time, Satan had been defeated; here at Armageddon, he is finally stripped of all his power. Satan’s beast (the Antichrist) was captured, along with his false prophet who had deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast.

The beast and the false prophet were captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. This is the final destination of all evil.

With the two leaders captured (the Beast and the false prophet), the army was left to be destroyed. Christ, with the sharp sword of his mouth, kills the entire army of rebellious kings and soldiers in one fell swoop. His sword of judgment falls and destroys everything. The vultures, who had been called ahead of time by the angel, gorged themselves on the dead bodies. With no one left on the planet to bury these dead, they were abandoned to the carrion birds to devour.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Pretty heavy and vivid stuff today. As I contemplate the events that unfold in this passage, I am struck with one singular thought: DECIDE TODAY: Who am I going to live my life for?

Never think that the choices that you make to love Jesus Christ and to serve Jesus Christ go unnoticed. It might in this world but in eternity there is that moment when the doors swing open and the whole world gets to see and glory in what God has done.

This is one of the end time events. This is one of the things God is going to do at the end of time. Remember this week when you make the right choice, the bride is being made a little more beautiful. Even guys can understand what it’s like to have a beautiful bride. One day, our Lord will be seen in the majesty and Glory that is only His.

Until that day, stay faithful. Until that day, persevere. Until that day, do what is right. Love, forgive, show compassion, be merciful, serve. Do not get tired of doing what is right and noble and just.

"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." Galatians 6:9-10 (MSG)