Revelation 19:21
And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
And the rest
This phrase refers to those who remain after the initial judgment described earlier in the chapter. In the context of Revelation, "the rest" often signifies those who have not aligned themselves with Christ and are thus subject to divine judgment. Historically, this reflects the biblical theme of a remnant, where those who do not follow God's ways face consequences.

were killed
The Greek word used here is "apokteinō," which means to kill or put to death. This is a direct action of divine judgment, emphasizing the finality and seriousness of God's wrath against sin. It is a sobering reminder of the ultimate justice that God will enact upon those who oppose Him.

with the sword
The "sword" symbolizes the Word of God, as seen in Ephesians 6:17, where the "sword of the Spirit" is the Word of God. This imagery underscores the power and authority of God's Word to execute judgment. Historically, swords were instruments of war and justice, and here it signifies the decisive and righteous judgment of Christ.

that proceeded from the mouth
This phrase highlights the divine origin of the judgment. The sword proceeding from the mouth of Christ signifies that His Word is the instrument of judgment. In the Greek, "stoma" (mouth) indicates the spoken word, reinforcing the power of Christ's declarations. This aligns with the biblical theme that God's Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).

of the One seated on the horse
This refers to Jesus Christ, depicted as the victorious warrior-king. The imagery of Christ on a white horse symbolizes triumph, purity, and authority. Historically, conquerors rode horses as a sign of victory, and here it signifies Christ's ultimate victory over evil.

And all the birds
The mention of "birds" is a reference to the scavengers that consume the remains of the defeated. In the ancient world, birds of prey were often seen as agents of divine retribution, cleaning the land of the wicked. This imagery is consistent with Old Testament prophecies, such as in Ezekiel 39:17-20, where birds feast on the flesh of the fallen.

gorged themselves on their flesh
This graphic imagery serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of opposing God. The Greek word "chortazō" means to be filled or satisfied, indicating the completeness of the judgment. It reflects the biblical principle that God's justice is thorough and leaves no room for the wicked to escape. This scene is a fulfillment of divine prophecy and a sobering call to repentance and alignment with God's will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The One Seated on the Horse
This refers to Jesus Christ, depicted as a victorious warrior. He is the central figure in this passage, executing divine judgment.

2. The Sword from His Mouth
Symbolizes the power and authority of Christ's word. It is not a literal sword but represents the truth and judgment that come from His spoken word.

3. The Rest
These are the enemies of God who have gathered against Him. They represent those who have rejected Christ and are opposed to His kingdom.

4. The Birds
These are symbolic of the complete and utter defeat of God's enemies. They are called to feast on the flesh of those who have been judged, indicating the finality of God's victory.

5. The Event of Judgment
This is part of the eschatological (end times) events described in Revelation, where Christ returns to establish His kingdom and execute judgment on the wicked.
Teaching Points
The Power of Christ's Word
Christ's word is authoritative and powerful, capable of executing judgment. Believers should trust in the power of His word in their lives.

The Reality of Divine Judgment
This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of divine judgment. It calls believers to live in a way that honors God and to share the gospel with others.

The Finality of God's Victory
The imagery of the birds gorging on flesh signifies the complete and final victory of Christ over evil. Believers can find hope and assurance in the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.

The Urgency of Repentance
Knowing the certainty of judgment should motivate individuals to repent and turn to Christ, embracing His grace and salvation.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the sword from Christ's mouth in Revelation 19:21 enhance our understanding of the power of God's word in our daily lives?

2. In what ways does the finality of judgment depicted in this passage influence your perspective on sharing the gospel with others?

3. How can the assurance of Christ's ultimate victory over evil provide comfort and hope in the face of current world events?

4. Reflect on the connection between Revelation 19:21 and Ephesians 6:17. How can believers effectively wield the "sword of the Spirit" in spiritual battles?

5. Considering the urgency of repentance highlighted in this passage, what steps can you take to ensure that your life aligns with God's will and purpose?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ephesians 6:17
This verse describes the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," connecting the concept of the sword as the word of God to the passage in Revelation.

Hebrews 4:12
This passage speaks of the word of God as living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, reinforcing the power and authority of Christ's word.

Isaiah 11:4
This Old Testament prophecy speaks of the Messiah striking the earth with the rod of His mouth, a parallel to the imagery in Revelation 19:21.
The Eternal in the Universe, and His Representative to ManD. Thomas Revelation 19:1-21
The Four Names of ChristS. Conway Revelation 19:11-21
The Holy WarR. Green Revelation 19:11-21
People
John
Places
Patmos
Topics
Birds, Death, Fed, Filled, Flesh, Forth, Fowls, Full, Goes, Gorged, Horse, Issues, Killed, Mouth, Proceeded, Proceedeth, Proceeding, Ravenously, Remnant, Rest, Rider, Sat, Sits, Sitting, Slain, Sword, Themselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 19:11-21

     2372   Christ, victory
     5127   back

Revelation 19:19-21

     4369   sulphur

Revelation 19:20-21

     9130   future, the

Library
January 22. "His Wife Hath Made Herself Ready" (Rev. xix. 7).
"His wife hath made herself ready" (Rev. xix. 7). There is danger in becoming morbid even in preparing for the Lord's coming. We remember a time in our life when we had devoted ourselves to spend a month in waiting upon the Lord for a baptism of the Holy Ghost, and before the end of the month, the Lord shook us out of our seclusion and compelled us to go out and carry His message to others; and as we went, He met us in the service. There is a musty, monkish way of seeking a blessing, and there is
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular,
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Lord Reigneth
Hallelujah; for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! T he book of the Revelation, being chiefly prophetical, will not, perhaps, be fully understood, till the final accomplishment of the events shall draw near, and throw a stronger light upon the whole series. But while the learned commentators have been, hitherto, divided and perplexed in their attempts to illustrate many parts of it, there are other parts well adapted for the instruction and refreshment of plain Christians. Particularly, those passages
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Departed Saints Fellowservants with those yet on Earth.
"I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets." The revelation made to St. John in the isle of Patmos, was a comfort to the suffering apostle, and a blessing to the church. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the word, of this prophecy." The beginning indeed was dark; the prophetic sketch, was for sometime, gloomy: It unfolded a strange scene of declensions and abominations, which were to disgrace the church of Christ and mar its beauty; and dismal series of woes on woes,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Saviour's Many Crowns
My brethren, it needs John himself to expound this glorious vision to you. Alas my eye has not yet seen the heavenly glory, nor has my ear heard the celestial song, I am therefore but as a little child among topless mountains, overawed with grandeur, and speechless with awe. Pray for me that I may utter a few words which the Holy Spirit may comfortably apply to your souls, for if he help me not, I am helpless indeed. With his divine aid, I dare to look upon the glorious diadems of our Lord and King.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Christ's Kingly Office
Q-26: HOW DOES CHRIST EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF A KING? A: In subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies. Let us consider now Christ's regal office. And he has on his vesture, and on his thigh, a name written, "King of kings, and Lord of lords", Rev 19:16. Jesus Christ is of mighty renown, he is a king; (1.) he has a kingly title. High and Lofty.' Isa 57:15. (2.) He has his insignia regalia, his ensigns of royalty; corona est insigne
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth"
E^7, xix. 17&151xx. 15. THE FINAL FIVE JUDGMENTS. We must get a complete view of these in order to embrace them all and view them as a whole. The Structure shows their true sequence: E^7., xix. 17-- 15. The Seventh (and Last) Vision "on Earth." E^7 A^1 xix. 17-21. MEN. The Judgment of the Beast and the False Prophet. B^1 xx. 1-3. SATAN. The Judgment of Satan (Before the Millennium). A^2 xx. 4-6. MEN. The Judgment of the overcomers. The "rest of the dead" left for Judgment. B^2 xx. 7-10.
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Last Watch of the Night
C. P. C. Rev. xix. 7 It ends--the vigil of high festival, The solemn night of song; For lo! the crimson day has lit the hills, The day desired so long. From peak to peak there spreads the jasper glow, The morning star grows dim; How passing strange the joy that now we know-- So soon to look on Him! Oh, deeper than our longing and our love, More wondrous than our bliss, His love that waited while the ages rolled To welcome us as His! And now, the watching and the waiting o'er, The sin and sadness
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord and said. Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou--wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray they, out of thy book which than hast written." In the preceding discourse we endeavored to show that the idea of being willing to be damned for the glory of God is not found in the text--that the sentiment is erroneous and absurd--then adduced the constructions which have been put on the text by sundry expositors,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

That Worthy Name.
James ii:7. IN the second chapter of the Epistle of James the Holy Spirit speaks of our ever blessed Lord as "that worthy Name." Precious Word! precious to every heart that knows Him and delights to exalt His glorious and worthy Name. His Name is "far above every Name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." (Ephes. i:21.) It is "as ointment poured forth" (Song of Sol. i:3); yea, His Name alone is excellent (Psalm cxlviii:13). But according to His worth that blessed
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

He Shall not Keep Silent.
THE heavens have long been silent. It is one of the leading characteristics of this present age, the closed, the silent heavens. But they will not be silent forever. "Our God shall come and shall not keep silence" (Ps. i:3). In His divine Patience the Lord has been at the right hand of God for nearly two thousand years. He will not occupy that place forever. It is not His permanent station to be upon the Father's throne. He has the promise of His own throne, which He as the King-Priest must occupy.
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Disciple, -- Master, what is the Real Meaning of Service? is it that We...
The Disciple,--Master, what is the real meaning of service? Is it that we serve the Creator and then His creatures for His sake? Is the help of man, who is after all but a mere worm, of any value to God in caring for His great family, or does God stand in need of the help of man in protecting or preserving any of His creatures? The Master,--1. Service means the activity of the spiritual life and is the natural offering prompted by love. God, who is Love, is ever active in the care of His creation,
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

The Third vision "In Heaven"
H3, xi. 15-19-. THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET. The Seventh Trumpet brings us back to Heaven and to the Third Vision seen there by John. For it is "in heaven" that the Trumpet is sounded. After it is sounded, we again hear the heavenly utterances which tell us of the design of this sounding. In xix. 1-16, heavenly voices again tell us of the completion of its effect. After it is sounded, and its object unfolded, there is a break; and an episode occupying chaps. xii., xiii. and xiv.; the effects
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

All Fulness in Christ
The text is a great deep, we cannot explore it, but we will voyage over its surface joyously, the Holy Spirit giving us a favorable wind. Here are plenteous provisions far exceeding, those of Solomon, though at the sight of that royal profusion, Sheba's queen felt that there was no more spirit in her, and declared that the half had not been told to her. It may give some sort of order to our thoughts if they fall under four heads. What is here spoken of--"all fullness." Where is it placed--"in him,"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
(Revelation, Chapters iv. and v.) "We are watching, we are waiting, For the bright prophetic day; When the shadows, weary shadows, From the world shall roll away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the star that brings the day; When the night of sin shall vanish, And the shadows melt away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the beauteous King of day; For the chiefest of ten thousand, For the Light, the Truth, the Way. "We are waiting for the morning, When the beauteous day is dawning, We are
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both.
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Living One
"I am He that liveth, and was dead" (i. 18). (...) (ho zon), THE LIVING ONE. Like the previous title, it is used as a special designation of the One whose unveiling is about to be shewn to John. Its use is peculiar to Daniel and Revelation. The two books thus linked together by it are linked as to their character and subject matter in a very special manner. It is used twice in Daniel:- Dan. iv. 34 (31 [19] ) and xii. 7; and six time in Revelation:- Rev. i. 18; iv. 9,10; v. 14; x. 6; and xv. 7. [20]
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Seventh vision "In Heaven"
H^7. Chap. xix. 1-16. The final heavenly Utterances and Actions. We now come to the last of the seven Visions seen "in Heaven," which is the subject of chap. xix. 1-16, giving us the final heavenly Utterances and Actions which lead up to, explain, and introduce the five concluding judgments which close up the things of Time, and pass on to what we call the Eternal State. This last Vision "in Heaven" is divided into two parts, each having its own independent construction. The first contains the words
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Lord's Supper
We are approaching now the end of our Saviour's life. The last week has come, and we are in the midst of it. This is called Passion week. We commonly use this word passion to denote anger. But the first and true meaning of the word, and of the Latin word from which it comes, is--suffering. And this is the sense in which we find the word used in Acts i: 3. There, St. Luke, who wrote the Acts, is speaking of Christ's appearing to the apostles, after his resurrection, and he uses this language: "To
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the Third Great Group of Parables.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son. ^A Matt. XXII. 1-14. ^a 1 And Jesus answered and spake again in parables unto them, saying, 2 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, 3 and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the marriage feast: and they would not come. 4 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Consolations against the Fear of Death.
If in the time of thy sickness thou findest thyself fearful to die, meditate-- 1. That it argueth a dastardly mind to fear that which is not; for in the church of Christ there is no death (Isa. xxv. 7, 8), and whosoever liveth and believeth in Christ, shall never die (John xi. 26). Let them fear death who live without Christ. Christians die not; but when they please God, they are like Enoch translated unto God (Gen. v. 24;) their pains are but Elijah's fiery chariot to carry them up to heaven (2
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

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