Revelation Chapters 19-20

Revelation Bible Study 2020-2021  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Verses 1-4

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and ihath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.[1]

Verse 1

After these things – This is the transition point from chapter eighteen. The praise that we see taking place in this vision should be seen as praise directed to God in reference to the destruction of Babylon last chapter.
A great voice of much people in heaven – This multitude of people is unnamed and has left many people debating about their identity. It could be angels, or redeemed humans, with a possibility of a mix as well.
Alleluia – The word is an untranslated Hebrew word (the Greek left it untranslated as well) which means if translated directly to English “Praise the Lord.” Then, we see this great multitude in Heaven saying, “praise the Lord.”
Salvation, glory, honour, power – each of these things are ascribed unto the Lord our God. (See notes on 5:12-13, 7:10-12).

Verse 2

For true and righteous are His judgements – This follows almost exactly the same praise offered with the pouring of the third bowl judgement in chapter sixteen. It is probable this shout for joy occurs in the same time period as the proclamation there. Here God is praised and worship for His true and righteous judgements.
For He hath judged the great whore – The great whore was identified as Babylon in chapters seventeen and eighteen. Her great sin was that she did corrupt the earth with her fornication. She was not content with her own sin, but felt the need to share it with others. (See notes on 18:3).
And hath avenged the blood of His servants at her hand – In chapter 6:9-11 the saints cried out “how long until you avenge us,” and they were answered “rest a little while longer, the time is at hand.” It is here we see the promise of vengeance carried out.

Verse 3

And they again said, Alleluia – The again praise the Lord. This verse makes it clear the praises and songs of joy are at the destruction of that great city.
And her smoke rose up for ever and ever – The destruction of Babylon was complete and everlasting. She is destroyed eternally, as the true and righteous God lives eternally.

Verse 4

The four beasts and the twenty four elders first introduced to us in chapter four now fall down and worship God as well, saying amen. They consent to and join in the praises of God’s true and righteous judgement.

Verses 5-10

5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, qboth small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 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. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.[2]

Verse 5

And a voice came out of the throne – It is unclear if this voice came from the throne (being the voice of God) or if the voice came from near the throne, out of the room (a voice of an angel.) As with other occurrences of this phrase, John does not identify the speaker and it is much debated who the voice belongs to.
Praise our God – There is a call to praise God, the end is here. All ye His servants, both small and great – All servants alike are called into this heavenly worship.

Verse 6

And I heard – In this case, John does not see this portion of the vision. It will be heard. It is worth mentioned, that though the last two chapters, and the first of this, have dealt with Babylon, she shall not be mentioned again. Her judgement is completed and full.
The voice of a great multitude – This voice is described as a large multitude, as the voice of many waters, the voice of mighty thunderings. This is the same description of the voice of Christ in chapter one, and the same description of the hundred and forty-four thousand sealed in chapter seven and fourteen. It seems that in Heaven, the voices of God’s people become unified in creation and unified with the God.

Verse 7

Let us be glad and rejoice, give honor to Him – The last section of praise was for things already done, this next section of praise is of things about to take place. We are told here to be glad and rejoice, give honor to God because:
The marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready – Throughout the Bible, the people of God have been described as the Bride of Christ. In the Old Testament, the nation Israel was described as the unfaithful wife who would be restored. There is a section of scripture where God is said to “divorce” the OT covenant people (Jeremiah 3:8). I advise to not read into that literally, however, as in verse fourteen He refers to Himself as married to her. The New Testament describes the church as the bride and Christ as the Bridegroom. It is at this point that the church and Christ are ready to join together with the marriage supper of the Lamb. The wedding refers to the resurrection immediately prior to the millennial reign of Christ.

Verse 8

This verse describes that the fine linen, clean and white are the righteousness of the saints. Our righteousness comes from the washing of ourselves in the blood of Christ.

Verse 9

Though the church is the bride of the Lamb, the individual Christians are the guests invited to the marriage. There is prescribed blessings to those which are called, literally, invited, to the marriage supper. Those invited are those who resisted the mark of the beast and have the seal of the living God. These are they who shall enter eternity with God.
These are the true saying of God – In a time where the followers of Christ were widely persecuted and may have felt like they were not blessed, they were reminded that these sayings are true and it is them, not the wealthy and great of the world, who are truly blessed.

Verse 10

John, so overwhelmed by the vision and the angelic presence, fell to worship at the feet of his guide. One of the many differences and ways of which you can know between God’s angels and the demons is the acceptance of worship. This angel, as he should, denied the worship and directed it towards God.

Verses 11-16

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called sFaithful and tTrue, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His 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. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And 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 ghe treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.[3]

Verse 11

And I saw heaven opened – The heavens themselves shall now open and a great and heavenly army shall descent upon the world with Christ at the front.
Behold a white horse – Some have tried to identify this with the white horse of Revelation six, but they cannot be one of the same. The rider of this white horse is in contrast with the rider in the first of the seals. The rider is six was the ruler of the tribulation, whereas Christ is the ruler of the Millennial period and the New Heavens and the New Earth.
Faithful and true – Only God is faithful and true. Unlike other kings, who rule wickedly and self-interest, Christ remains true to the Father and to purpose. Faithful and true also reassures the Christian hope that He who died for us will also stand for us before the white throne.
In righteousness He doth judge and make war – His judgements are not ill-willed or of evil intent, but with the righteousness of God He goes to war with the evil and wicked. With righteousness He shall slay the evil one and toss him and his followers into the eternal lake of fire.

Verse 12

His eyes were a flame of fire – His eyes display divine intent and soul piercing judgement. (see notes on the description of Christ in chapter 1)
On His head were many crowns – He has a divine and sovereign right to rule. The Greek word used is diadema rather than stephanos, meaning crowns of victory. Christ is victories.
A name written, no man knows but Himself – This seems difficult to understand, especially in light of already being given several names for Christ. The idea here is that all know Him, but none are master of Him.

Verse 13

He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood – This language is borrowed from Isaiah 63:1-4 and has the image of God trampling the nations the garments covered in blood splatter. The actual reference to the winepress will be in verse fifteen and the actual action will begin in verse nineteen.
His name is called the Word of God – I am immediately reminded of John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus Christ is the Word who became flesh (John 1:14), is the Word who spoke the cosmos into being (Gen 1 and 2), and is the Word which spoke forth the Holy Scriptures.

Verse 14

The scene becomes more dramatic as the armies of heaven follow down behind Christ on their white horses. They are clothed in fine linen, white and clean, and have no need of armor as their protection comes from Christ alone. They have no need of weapons as the victory is Christ’s alone, and we share in it only by association to Christ.
The identify of the army is not disclosed, but it is likely a mix of the heavenly host (the angels) and those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb.

Verse 15

In chapter sixteen, the evil one gathers the kings and armies of the earth together in one place, called in the Hebrew, Armageddon. Here Christ will make war with the with the sharp sword that goes out of His mouth. This is a reminder of the description of Christ in chapter one, and the sword is known as the Word of God.
Christ shall treadeth the winepress, and He alone. It is God’s sole right to exercise judgement, as He alone is just, Holy and true. This is the event described in Revelation 14:17-20 (see notes for 14:17-20)

Verse 16

More important than the location of His name worn, is the title He wears. KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS – Jesus is King over all earthly kings and Lord over all other lords and this is demonstrated in His ultimate victory here at Armageddon.

Verses 17-21

17 And 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; 18 That 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. 19 And 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. 20 And 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. 21 And 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.[4]

Verse 17

An angel standing in the sun – That is, standing at the highest point in the sky.
Saying to all the fowls, that fly in the midst of heaven – There are two great feasts, suppers, in this chapter. The first, the marriage supper of the Lamb, and the second, the feast the birds shall enjoy, called, The supper of the great God.

Verse 18

That ye may eat, flesh of kings, captains, horses and those that sit on them, men free and bond, small and great – There is no scene so gruesome as the birds feasting on all flesh of the earth. Those who survived this long and perish in the war (the great river of blood in chapter fourteen) now have a date with death. People from all walks of life, whether great or small, bond or free, rich or poor, who had rejected God are all made equal in their punishment in Armageddon.

Verse 19

Here is described that great army that assembled in Armageddon in chapter 16:16.

Verse 20

The beast was taken, with him the false prophet – The beast and the false prophet, two of those in satans false trinity, which deceived the world through wrought miracles and them that had received the mark of the beast, are taken alive and cast into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. These two of the three characters are dealt with eternally and shall not again be permitted from their fiery prison.

Verse 21

And the remnant were slain – The rest of the followers of the beast and the false prophet fought (not sure how much fighting actually occurred) and were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse. That is to say, that Christ fought the war with His words.
As strange as that may seem, when Christ spoke, the heavens and earth were created. When He spoke, the mountains moved, the seas and winds calmed, and the fig tree died. When He spoke, the beasts of the fields and birds of the air were formed. When, then, the Word of God speaks in war, His Word shall return fulfilled.
And all the fowls were filled with their flesh – There was enough death and bodies to fill the bowls of all the fowls of the earth.

Chapter 20

Verses 1-6

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that ihe should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.[5]

Verse 1

And I saw an angel – The phrase, and I saw, links this vision as a continuation of the vision from chapter nineteen, where we saw a new vision start with “after this.”
The angel John sees here should be understood as the same angel from Revelation chapter nine who had been given the key to the bottomless pit.
And a great chain in his hand – This chain is a heavy chain and is used for binding the devil.

Verse 2

This verse will take several symbolic images and names for our enemy and combine them in this description.
The dragon – An image we became familiar with in Revelation twelve.
That serpent of old – This refers to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Though Satan and Devil were not identified with the phrase serpent of old in the Old Testament, by the first century the two were linked together.
Devil – Which means slanderer.
Satan – Which means the great accuser.
And bound him a thousand years – This thousand year period is literal and coincides with the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth. The idea with being bound is that he would no longer be free to roam to and frow. Many people hold the belief that satan was bound up with the first coming of Christ, but examination of scripture and the world around us would show such belief to be false. The New Testament scriptures warn us to beware of our enemy who prowls around looking to devour his prey.

Verse 3

And cast him into the bottomless pit – After the devil has been bound, the angel with the key will cast him into the bottomless pit for later judgement. Unlike the beast and the false prophet, who were cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, whose judgements are passed and dealt with, the devil shall be dealt with once again.
Shut him up and set a seal upon him – The bottomless pit was closed and locked to trap the devil and his influence, That he should deceive the nations no more. During this time period, there shall be no evil and demonic influence.
Till the thousand years be fulfilled: and he must be loosed a little season – Just as you may have thought it was over, we read of the devil, after being cast away, is set free to deceive once again. For how long a little season shall be is not identified. But we should be aware the time would be short and in God’s control.
This doctrine has confused many people who would not understand why God shall win and then let evil free again. From the context of my role, such logic makes absolute sense. Of the people I talk to, particularly Mormons, they criticize my belief in a God who would allow for His creation to live eternally in a place called Hell. They say, in their weird opinions, that eternal punishment is not fitting for people who may have never even known Christ. In this, God shall show that man in inherently sinful. Even those who live under the direct and earthly reign of Christ for a thousands years will forsake Him for their own lusts and desires when satan is loosed for a little season.

Verse 4

And I saw thrones, and they that sat upon them – John now sees, once again, in Heaven thrones with those who are sitting upon them. He does not identify their identities, and it becomes tricky to say with surety who they are. In the letter to Laodicea, the overcomers are promised a seat on the throne. In Matthew nineteen, the disciples are told they shall sit and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. In first Corinthians six, those in Christ, the saints, are said to judge the world. It may also be the twenty-four elders from chapter four. Whoever these people are, they are said that judgement was given unto them. This group of people seems to be different from the next group of people identified in this same verse.
I saw the souls of them that were beheaded – These are the tribulation saints who were martyred, identified later by which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands. The fact that John could see the souls should not be surprising, as is easily explained in the context of a vision. Though he could see the people, he would have been told or explained that they were them who were beheaded.
For the witness of Jesus, for the word of God – These are they who died for their testimony and as a final witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. They ran the race with endurance and clung to the word of God.
And they lived – The saints who were martyred lived, meaning, to be resurrected in to bodies.
And reigned with Christ a thousand years – The tribulation saints were resurrected with the second coming of Christ and participated with Him in the millennial reign.

Verse 5 - 6

The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished – Those who were not found in Christ, but the wicked of the world shall not rise in their resurrection until the end of the reign. When they rise, it will be unto judgement. (more on this in verses 11-15).
This is the first resurrection – In my studies, I found myself faced with a challenge to my original beliefs. I have always read this as all the dead in Christ will be part of the first resurrection. In my studies, several commentators have, taking the passage itself, indicated that the first resurrection refers to the tribulation martyrs alone (using verse 4). Upon further investigation, we shall find several things to be true.
1. This cannot be the “first resurrection” in terms of chronological order. Christ was the first resurrected into a glorified body never to perish again. After the resurrection of Christ, it is said many were resurrected and showed themselves in Matt 27, and the dead and living in Christ shall resurrect into imperishable bodies at the rapture (1 Thes. 4:13-18). In addition, Revelation twelve states the two witnesses resurrected and ascended into heaven. In conclusion, there have already been, at least, four known resurrection.
2. Therefore, this “first resurrection” cannot mean first in a chronological sense, but must means first in a spiritual sense. This must be the first resurrection before the last. The resurrection of the righteous before the resurrection of the wicked.
These observations are further indicated by the text, blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, indicating all who are found in Christ must partake in the first resurrection. On such, they shall not taste of the lake of eternal fire and brimstone.

Verses 7-10

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.[6]

Verse 7

When the thousand years are expired – At this point in Revelation, a thousand years have passed and the next portion of Johns vision begins. It is likely John did not see the duration of the thousand year reign and the scene immediately switched to the end, with a guide explaining this to John.
Satan shall be loosed out of his prison – Notice satan does not break out of his prison, he is let out. This expresses God’s sovereign rule over all creation.

Verse 8

Shall go out to deceive the nations – Satan will then be allowed to once more deceive the nations and attempt to overthrow Christ. The phrase four corners of the earth, shall be understood, as with the first occurrence of the phrase, to mean the entire surface of the earth.
To gather them together to battle – This shall be satans last stand. He will gather up the people of the earth to make war against Christ. It is said that such a number of these millennial people turn on God, that their number is as the sand of the sea.
I do not believe this period of time shall take very long, between the releasing of Satan and the consummation of the old heavens and earth.

Verse 9

Here it is described that they come from all the earth and surround the city of the saints, Jerusalem, to make war against Christ. These actions do not develop into a great scene of war, but bring immediate judgement, the fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Verse 10

Here it is explained that Satan is then taken, and was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, along with the beast and the false prophet. Here, satan, with the two already there in judgement, shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Here we see the great drama between God and satan come to an end. Satan has been dealt with and shall never again be freed from his prison.

Verses 11-15

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.[7]

Verse 11

And I saw – Johns vision progresses to the next stage.
A great white throne – The day of which John is seeing and describing is the day we call judgement day. Here shall all be judged, whether they be in Christ, or of their own works.
Him that sat on it – The Father shall sit upon the throne on judgment day, but it is ultimately Christ who judged. According to Matt 10:32-22, Christ says that whosoever would confess Him He would confess before the Father and all who would deny Him, He would deny before the Father. This will take place on this day before the Great White Throne.
Earth and heaven fled away – This is described as the passing of the old heavens and earth. At this time, there will be no place for the current creation, but it shall pass away and make room for a new heavens and earth (chapters 21-22).

Verse 12 - 13

These verses describes the resurrection of the others, and the judgement of all peoples. The book of life determines if you are to be judged of your own works (which always leads to condemnation) or if you shall be judged according to Christ’s works. John describes both Small and great stand before the judge, indicating, regardless of your social class on earth, you will stand before the same judge.
In verse thirteen, the actual process is described, in that John ensures we understand all the dead are delivered up for judgement.

Verse 14

Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire – Upon reading, you may be confused at the terminology of hell, being cast into hell. Where death is the enemy and element of the passing of bodies, and hades the temporary holding place of the perishing souls, both are cast into the eternal hell as death is the final enemy to be defeated (1 Cor. 15:26).
This is the second death – That is, the spiritual death, of which it’s residents shall reside eternally in the lake of fire.

Verse 15

Whosoever was not found in the book of life – That is, the unsaved. Those who deny Christ in this lifetime or take of the mark of the beast and worship his image. For many, there are beliefs of baptisms for the dead and second chances, but the scriptures present a clear and obvious point – those that don’t make it here are sent to the lake. This is the worst fate anyone should receive, and a place no Christian should desire their enemies end up.
Was cast into the lake of fire – This must be said here, where it is appropriate and brought up. There are religions that teach multiple glories, kingdoms, of heaven. They teach that nearly everyone would end up in these places. Such theologies are of the devil, because he wants you to believe that all roads lead to paradise. He wants to trick you, to deceive you, that you would end up in hell. Do not listen to such theologies, such the LDS would teach you to believe. There is no paradise in the second death. Pay attention, observe the location of these souls. It is the same lake of fire that the beast, the false prophet, satan, death, and hades were sent eternally.
[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 19:1–4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 19:5–10). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 19:11–16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 19:17–21). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 20:1–6). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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[6] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 20:7–10). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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[7] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 20:11–15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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