Overview
Chapter 19 opens with two hymns. One is sung by "great multitude[s] in heaven" praising God for the destruction of "the great prostitute" (vv.1-5). The other is also sung by "a great multitude" to the "Lamb...and His bride" (vv.6-10). Then, after the angelic guide proclaims that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (v.lOc), the chapter describes the Christ of the Last Days.
John sees Him as a rider on a "white horse" and His name is "Faithful and True". His robe is "dipped in blood" and the name that emerges (as John looks at the robe) is "Word of God". He makes war with "justice" as His motive, and He "strikes down the nations". His warfare is marked with an intimidating and irresistable "fury" that has its source in "the wrath of God Almighty". His name is even more than "Faithful and True" and "Word of God" - it is "King of kings and Lord of lords" (vv.11-16).
The chapter concludes with the beast and the false prophet being "thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur" (v.20). The kings of the earth and all their armies who dared to war against the Lamb in the battle "are killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse" (v.21).
Jesus the Lamb is Jesus the King. He is Lord of lords, and all power and authority belongs to Him. No one, not even the beast, can resist His fury. But everyone whose name is written in the Book of Life will rest in his Love.
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