Revelation 19: Marriage Supper and The Great Supper

Revelation 19: Marriage Supper and The Great Supper

v1-5: Rejoice in Heaven

John heard a loud voice from a great multitude in heaven, crying out: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (v1-2)

There was great joy of the people who were raptured to heaven for God's justice on those who were involved in propagating sin and murdering His children. 

The twenty four elders and the four living creatures around the throne fell down and worshipped God. "Praise our God all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great."  (v5)

v6-10: Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The great multitude cry out again, announcing the marriage of the Lamb, and that the "bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure." (v8).  John wrote that the "fine linen" is the righteous deeds of the saints. Note that the saints did not make themselves righteous, but the righteousness was "granted" or given to them by the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 5:25–27 said “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”  Jesus Himself prepared his own bride, the church, to be holy and without blemish through his blood.

The angel added: "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." (v9) 

It is indeed blessed to attend the marriage, for it will be where the highest joy has ever been felt. Isaiah 62:5 said even God is rejoicing: “For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”

John was so overwhelmed that he fell down and worship the angel. The angel told him not to do that, for "I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." (v10)

John added: "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  This means that the witness or declaration of Jesus is the same as all the prophecies of the scripture ultimately points to Jesus. Every prophecy in Old and New Testament finds fulfillment in Christ's life, death and resurrection. 

How amazing it is, that God created us with the same level as the angels! The only difference is that we are bound in flesh, while angels are spirits. We know that both flesh and spirits can be corrupted, and can be lost without Jesus. Jesus was clearly explained in the prophecies and his life's witness, it is up to us to believe. For those who believe, we will resurrect with new spiritual body and we can do anything the angels can do!

v11-16: The Rider on a White Horse

John saw the heaven opened, and out came a white horse with a man sitting on it, who is called Faithful and True. He was a righteous judge and a warrior. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and his head has many diadems. He has a name written that only He himself understand. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood. He is also called the Word of God. 

 Jesus on White Horse 

This is our Lord, coming out of heaven and returning to Earth, not as a lamb but as a lion. Not sitting on a donkey, but on a white horse. Not to save, but to judge. John called him the Word of God, as he did in his gospel - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

The Lord was followed by the armies of heaven, on white horses too. Their clothes were fine linen, white and pure, similar to how John describe the bride above. The resurrected and raptured will follow Him down to earth as warriors! 

A sharp sword from the Lord's mouth strikes down all the nations. He will tread the winepress with the fury of the wrath of God. He will rule them with a rod of iron. His name, King of kings and Lord of lords, are written on his robe and on his thigh. 

The "sharp sword" represents divine authority, judgment, and power. When Jesus first appeared to John in Revelation 1:16, a sharp two-edged sword proceeded from His mouth. Now, in this later vision, John witnesses it again. The rod of iron signifies unyielding authority and absolute sovereignty. Jesus, as the King of kings, will govern the nations with unwavering justice and power.

The winepress symbolize the final judgement, just as grapes are crushed in a winepress and out comes the red juice (blood). 

Isaiah prophesied this event thousands years ago. He wrote it as a dialogue between him and the Messiah. Isaiah 63:1-4 begins with the Messiah's triumphant return. It says: 

Isaiah:  "Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength?

Messiah: “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”

Isaiah:  "Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?"

Messiah: “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come." 

Isaiah saw the Messiah’s appearance as one who comes from Edom, with garments stained red. Edom symbolizes the enemies of God’s people. The Messiah’s attire suggests that He has engaged in a fierce battle, and the crimson hue represents victory and judgment.

Isaiah continues to inquire about the reason for the Messiah’s red-stained garments. The Messiah responds, explaining that He has trodden the winepress alone, symbolizing His role in executing divine judgment. The "lifeblood" from His enemies had stained his white robe. 

Jesus had waited patiently before his year of redemption comes, signifying this mercy and grace to mankind. The Messiah’s actions are both those of a righteous judge and a merciful Savior.

v17-21: Great Supper of God

John saw an angel standing in front of the sun, and called out to the birds to come and gather for the great supper of God, and to eat the flesh of kings, leaders, and their armies. Many civilians - free and slaves, small and great - will also perish. 

God had given Ezekiel the same scenario: "thus says the Lord GOD: Speak to the birds of every sort and to all beasts of the field: ‘Assemble and come, gather from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great sacrificial feast on the mountains of Israel, and you shall eat flesh and drink blood." (Eze 39:17)

John saw the beast and kings of the earth (anti-Christ and the nations supporting him) gathered to make war against the Lord and His army. The beasts were captured and with it, the false prophet too. The two of them were thrown into the lake of fire, that burns with sulfur. The rest of the soldiers were slain by the sword that came from His mouth.  All the birds gorged on their flesh. 

While John didn't give the details of the battle. However Zechariah 14:2 said that the Lord brought (or allowed) the nations to fight against Jerusalem, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered, and the women raped. Then verse 3-5 says: "Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south." (14:4) 

This is a very specific prophecy - we know where Jesus will land on earth. We do not know why a great valley will form, but it means that Jerusalem will no longer look the same as what it is today.  Zechariah also said that the Jews will flee from Jerusalem though that valley. He even said "Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him." (14:5) - how amazing is this that he foretold what John saw as well! 

Zechariah also painted an image that seems like a nuclear war: "Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths." (14:12). This is similar to what John said about the destruction of Babylon in Revelation 18:9-10 and other verses. There's definitely a nuclear war between Israel and his enemies. (Note that Israel is known to have nuclear weapons but it never admit it.)

God has not forgotten Israel or Jerusalem. His promises endure, and His redemption plan will unfold. Our Redeemer, the Messiah, will come again, bringing ultimate salvation and establishing His righteous rule. Let us lift our heads toward the Eastern sky, anticipating the day when our Savior returns in triumph.

Many other things happen in the battle. Read Zechariah 14 and Ezekiel 38 and 39, if you want details.