Free Bible Commentary
“Revelation 19:17-21”
Categories: Revelation“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, ‘Come, assemble for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.’ And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.”
---End of Scripture verses---
Before the “Battle of Armageddon” even begins, “an angel standing in the sun” summons “all the birds which fly in midheaven” to the feast of a lifetime (verse 17). The devastation of Satan and his Roman cohorts is such a guarantee that preparations are made in advance for the “cleanup crew” to come in and deal with the aftermath of the Almighty King’s resounding victory. One of the most demeaning and horrid images is that of wild scavengers picking at and devouring the remains of a human carcasses. Jeremiah’s dreadful words to disobedient Judah come to mind: “The dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the sky and for the beasts of the earth; and no one will frighten them away” (Jeremiah 7:33). Consider also Ezekiel 39:17-20. Just as the “blessed” elect assemble for the glorious “marriage supper of the Lamb” (verse 8), the birds of the air gather for a feast of their own.
Of course we must continually remind ourselves that the images described in the book of Revelation are symbolic in nature, and the horrific results of this battle are no different. A literal interpretation of this prophecy is just too atrocious to seriously consider, and misses the point of the vision and the Apocalypse altogether. What the Lord is describing here in graphic, vivid, even repulsive imagery is the certainty of the Lord’s victory over all of His enemies, “small and great” (verse 18). This is the grand theme of the entire work. There is a great battle between the forces of Satan and God Almighty, and it is a total “no contest”. The Lord wins, hands down, because no power can be arrayed against the Creator of the Universe that poses even the minutest legitimate threat. If you fight faithfully at His side you are guaranteed the eternal victory. If not, everlasting destruction is inescapable. There is no middle ground. You are either stand with the Lord or fall against Him (Matthew 12:30).
The beast and the false prophet were “seized” and “thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone” (verse 20), but they will not be left there to sizzle alone. This is the eternal domain of all “the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars” (Revelation 21:8), which is also known as “the second death” (Revelation 20:14). “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). It has been appointed for people who do not know and love the Lord and obey His Gospel to die a second time, and this death is eternal separation from Yahweh and all His grace and glory (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Robert Harkrider wrote: “Through lying miracles the false prophet caused the majority of the world to marvel and receive a mark that confirmed their allegiance to the beast… Yet in the final analysis, the saints who looked foolish when they refused that mark, are the ones enjoying overwhelming victory… The kingdom of God which Rome attempted to stamp out, still stands. This particular battle of Armageddon was fought centuries ago. The Roman Empire backing the pagan god-Caesar worship was destroyed, thus the persecuting force against the church was brought down. In principle, other ‘Armageddons’ have taken place and perhaps shall yet be in the future because Satan continues to wage battle against the purpose of God… But not since the time of the Roman Empire has he had a world dominion enforcing his policies.” Of course some would argue this last point.
Homer Hailey wrote: “The Roman power and the paganism which it supported are now destroyed forever. The vision of Daniel is fulfilled (Dan. 7:11), and in this defeat and destruction is revealed the destiny of all such powers that should ever arise to fight against God and His kingdom. This is God’s guarantee of victory to the saints who lived then and to all who would come after them, even until the end of time… The sword of truth and judgment prevailed over the sword of political force and human wisdom in false worship.”
Please read Revelation 20:1-3 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
-Louie Taylor
