Understanding Revelation (19:16)~Newton

"On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."

(Revelation 19:16)

John has already told that when the beast and his army wage war against the Lamb they will discover that “He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Rev. 17:14). For that reason, He conquers every power opposing Him. The collective might of all the lords of earth seeks to stand against Jesus Christ. They presently oppose Him: shutting down churches, throwing believers into prison, kidnapping and killing Christians, deriding the Bible and its gospel message, infiltrating churches with a watered-down gospel, persecuting the saints. But that opposition will fizzle before the presence of Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords! He is the One before whom every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father! (Phil. 2:10-11).

(Phil A. Newton)

Understanding Revelation (19:15)~Riddlebarger

"From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty."

(Revelation 19:15)

In (Isaiah 49:2) we read of the word of God, placed in the prophet’s mouth, and cutting like a sword. In (Isaiah 11:4) we read of the word of God’s mouth, striking the nations. Now these two verses are brought together to speak of divine vengeance. In (Psalm 2:9), the Psalmist speaks of Israel’s Davidic Messiah, who will break all of his enemies with a rod of iron. And then, in (Isaiah 63), we read of YHWH judging the nations as though he were stomping wine in a press, venting his fury. All of these are now brought together to demonstrate the severity of the divine judgment which is coming upon the whole world, as well as to remind us of the authority of the judge.

(Kim Riddlebarger)

Understanding Revelation (19:14)~Riddlebarger

"And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses."

(Revelation 19:14)

When Jesus Christ returns in judgment he does not come alone. The hosts of heaven follow after him, wearing the garments given them by their leader. As to the identities of those who accompany Christ, there are a number of texts which speak of an angelic army executing Christ’s final judgment.

In (Matthew 13:40-42) we read, “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” But given the fact that these people are clothed in white garments, and given the statement in Revelation 17:14 that the Lamb “will overcome [his enemies] because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” it is likely that these are the saints who accompany Christ and his angelic armies on the day of judgment. Notice too, these soldiers do not fight in the great battle. But they do accompany the one who slays the wicked, who will strike the nations with his rod of judgment.

(Kim Riddlebarger)

Understanding Revelation (19:13)~Poythrees

"He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God."

(Revelation 19:13)

The name Word of God, as in John 1:1, reminds us of his role of power in creation (Gen. 1:3; Ps. 33:6) and providence (Ps. 147:15; Lam. 3:37-38; Heb. 1:3). By virtue of his divine and his Lordship over all, he has ability to wrap up in final form the history that he has ruled over from the beginning (Isa. 11:4).

The significance of the robe dipped in blood is ambiguous. Some think that Christ’s own blood, the blood the redeems the saints, is in view (5:9). This view is possible, because Christ’s sacrifice is the key to the working out of God’s plan for all of history, including its consummation (5:2-6). But the picture developed in 19:13 has close affinities with Isaiah 63:2-3, where God as the divine warrior spatters his garment with the blood of the enemies whom he tramples in the winepress (as in Rev. 19:15). The context in Revelation 19 is one where Christ destroys his enemies in blood, not one where he redeems the saints. Hence, the connection with (Isaiah 63:2-3) is the significant one.

(Vern Poythrees)

Understanding Revelation (19:12)~Newton

"His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself."

(Revelation 19:12)

 Here we grapple with the transcendence and incomprehensibility of our Lord. There are things about God that we do know. Each aspect of our knowledge, as long as it accords with Scripture, is something that God has revealed to us. Yet we have not plumbed the depths or soared to the heights of the knowledge of Jesus Christ in His essence or being. What John implies is that in this life and the next, we cannot exhaust the knowledge of Christ. 

The early sixth century writer, Andrew of Caesarea stated, “That his name is unknown signifies the incomprehensibility of his essence. By virtue of his works he is known by many names, such as Good, Shepherd, Sun, Light, Life, Righteous, Holiness, Redemption.” Further he wrote, “Similarly, he is called by terms of negation, such as Incorruptible, Invisible, Immortal, Unchangeable. However, according to his essence he is without name and is unapproachable, being known by himself alone with the Father and the Spirit”. Paul expressed it best after he wrestled with God’s sovereignty in salvation. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Rom. 11:33)

(Dr. Phil A. Newton)

Understanding Revelation (19:11)~Newton

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war."

(Revelation 19:11)

Here we see Christ, not as the gentle Lamb but as the Conquering Warrior and King. All of those rejecting Christ as “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), will know Him as the terrifying Warrior that conquers every vestige of evil in the world. This fourth vision reinforces the certainty of Christ’s second coming and the finality of judgment on the unbelieving world. John has already introduced the second coming of Christ (Rev. 11:15-16; 14:1-5), yet in the typical fashion of apocalyptic writing, he introduces an idea only to return to it later with more detail, filling in the gaps in our understanding and amplifying the majestic picture before us. 

Those of us that were introduced to the idea of Christ’s return by cheesy movies and glamorized novels must unlearn some things! Jesus promised His return at the appointed time as an encouragement to His disciples (Matt. 24:29-31; John 14:3). Believers found comfort and motivation to faithfulness due to the promise of Christ’s return (1 Thes. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13-14; 1 John 3:1-3). Just as that was true for 1st century Christians, it is the same for us. As we consider the rebellious nature of the world that is so bent on the lusty pursuit of all manner of sin and unbelief, then it is a great consolation to know that one day Christ will return, judging the world and eliminating every trace of sin. When He returns, there will be no more unbelief! All unbelievers will face His wrath; though too late for eternal life, they will confess that He is Lord (Phil. 2:9-11). No more skeptics or atheists will denigrate our Lord or the gospel. The anxiety that we feel over our own weaknesses with regard to sin will be over. The grief that ladens us due to the wickedness in the world will be forever removed. “The Son of God appeared for this purpose,” John tells us, “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). The finality of that work transpires at the Second Coming as the full measure of Christ’s conquering death at the cross will be applied.

(Dr. Phil A. Newton)

Understanding Revelation (19:10)~Riddlebarger

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

(Revelation 19:10)

Moved by what he has just seen, John instinctively seeks to worship the angel who has brought such glorious news. But he must not worship the messenger, he must worship God! For blessed are all those who hold to the testimony of Jesus in the face of persecution and seduction, for they are now invited to the marriage supper of Christ the Lamb.

By holding fast to the message of what God has done for sinners in the person of Jesus Christ, we are even now preparing ourselves to receive the glorious gift Jesus Christ himself will give us, the wedding garment of fine linen, bright and clean. For our righteous deeds are wrought by Christ himself, as we testify to a dying world of the love and grace of Jesus Christ, while we resist the beast in our proclamation, “Jesus Christ alone is Lord,” and as we flee the harlot and her seductive ways.

(Dr. Kim Riddlebarger)