19:1 Hallelujah This is a Hebrew command meaning “Praise Yah.” “Yah” is a shortened version of Yahweh. Verses 1–3 are akin to the Hallel psalms (Pss 104–106; 111–118; 120–136; 146–150; from the Hebrew word halel, “to praise”). The Hallel psalms commemorate God’s deliverance via the exodus event, a theme echoed many times in Revelation.

Salvation and glory and power This grouping of three is meant to contrast with the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet—who are undeserving and powerless before God.

19:2 judgments are true and righteous See Rev 16:7 and note.

passed judgment on the great prostitute See ch. 17.

19:3 her smoke goes up forever and ever A perpetual testimony of her destruction and God’s power (compare 14:11 and note; Isa 34:10).

19:4 worshiped In contrast to the earthly inhabitants of Rev 9:20; 13:4, 8, 12; 14:11.

19:5 a voice Since the voice says “our God,” it probably does not belong to God. It may be the voice of one of the four living creatures (see 4:6–8).

Praise our God A Greek way of saying the Hebrew expression “Hallelujah” (see v. 1 and note).

who fear him Describes those who regard Him with reverential awe or respect.

19:6 the sound of many waters Compare 1:15 and note; 14:2.

19:7 his bride Identified as the new Jerusalem in 21:2, 9. Here the bride of Christ is likely to be understood as the Church (see 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25–27, 32; compare Isa 54:5–7).

19:8 the righteous deeds of the saints May refer to their victory and refusal to compromise their faith (compare chs. 2–3). Throughout Revelation, white clothing represents victory (see 3:4 and note).

19:9 Blessed are The fourth beatitude in Revelation (see 1:3 and note).

who are invited A private event intended only for the called.

These are the true words of God May refer to the beatitude just pronounced by the angel or to the song of vv. 6–8 (compare 21:5; 22:6).

19:10 I fell down before his feet John, who is likely overwhelmed by what he sees and hears, tries to worship the one giving him the message of joy and hope.

Do not do that The angel rebukes John’s attempt to worship him. Revelation consistently affirms that God alone is worthy of worship (11:16; 14:7; compare 13:4–8).

the testimony of Jesus May refer to the testimony about or concerning Jesus or the testimony that Jesus Himself gave—the gospel (see 1:2; 12:17). Though both are true, the gospel that Jesus gave is likely in view here.

is the spirit of prophecy Probably refers to the empowering force behind prophetic pronunciation.

19:11 white horse White symbolizes victory (see 3:4 and note).

Faithful” and “True These titles identify the rider as Jesus (see 3:14).

with justice he judges and makes war See Isa 11:3–5.

19:12 his eyes were a flame of fire Matches the description of Christ in Rev 1. See 1:14; 2:18.

many royal headbands Jesus’ royal authority dwarfs that of the dragon and the beast (see 12:3; 13:1).

that no one except he himself knows See 2:17 and note; 3:12.

19:13 in an outer garment dipped in blood This may refer to Christ’s own atoning blood or the blood of His enemies (compare Isa 63:1–6).

his name is called the Word of God This is not the name that no one else knows (in Rev 19:12). Rather, it is a name that emphasizes His status as the ultimate revelation of God’s character (compare John 1:1–5).

19:14 the armies that are in heaven Composed of the whole people of God.

19:15 out of his mouth came a sharp sword Matches the description of Christ in Rev 1. See 1:16 and note; 2:12, 16.

shepherd them with an iron rod Describes an unyieldingly just reign (see Psa 2:9; Rev 12:5 and note).

winepress See 14:17–20.

19:16 a name written A fourth name—in addition to Faithful and True (v. 11), the unknown name (v. 12), and the Word of God (v. 13).

King of kings and Lord of lords This title emphasizes the absolute power of Christ as the divine warrior (compare 17:14; 1 Tim 6:15; Deut 10:17). When put in the vernacular of John’s day (Aramaic), the gematriac value of this title is 777 (minus “and”): the perfect contrast to the mark of the beast, 666 (see Rev 13:18 and note).

Gematria in the Book of Revelation

19:17 in the sun The Greek preposition en (meaning “in, with, by, to, on”) is best rendered “on.” The angel was probably standing on the sun, not in it. Perhaps John saw him above the sun.

Angels in the Bible Table

directly overhead See 8:13; 14:6.

great banquet of God In contrast to the marriage supper of the Lamb (see vv. 7–9). Here, the carrion fowl feast upon the flesh of God’s enemies (compare Ezek 39:17–20).

19:18 the flesh of kings See Rev 16:14, 16.

19:20 the beast See 13:1–10.

the false prophet See 13:11–18; 16:13.

the lake of fire that burns with sulphur Here, the beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire, while their followers are killed with the sword from Christ’s mouth. See 14:10 and note; 20:14–15; 21:8.

19:21 killed by the sword of the one who is seated on the horse–the sword that comes out of his mouth Apparently, only Christ will fight in the battle.

all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh A gruesome end for the enemies of God (see vv. 17–18). In contrast to the marriage supper of the Lamb, the typical ritual (humans eating animals) is reversed.