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The Victory of Jesus Revelation 19:17-21

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The Victory of Jesus Revelation 19:17-21 Revelation: A Vision of the Coming King The Victory of Jesus Revelation 19:17-21 Introduction 1. The Calling of the Birds – 19:17a 19:17a Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “then I saw” John is continuing to communicate that this portion of the revelation of Jesus is one of “seeing”, not “hearing” as it was in the earlier part of chapter 19. This is the second time he says “I saw” in the chapter. One more is to come in 19:19 as he see the Antichrist. Context of These Words As Christ and His army are in the sky, at the very same time the Antichrist’s army is gathered on the earth to do battle against Christ and His followers. It is this context that these words from this angel are spoken. “an angel standing in the sun” Standing is ἐστῶτα [estōta] and it is in the perfect tense, meaning “having stood”. The angel had taken his position prior to John seeing him. This must have been quite the sight for John to take in and behold. We know this from earlier with the fourth bowl judgment, which was a part of the last of God’s judgments to be poured out that this happened with the sun… Revelation 16:8 “The fourth angels poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce hear, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give Him glory”. Both of these two things will be quite the sight as the light from both of them will be brilliant in the sky. The light of the angel and the light from the sun will both be on full display. Just how the angel stands in the sun is not explained. Whether he stands in the sun itself or merely in its light is not specifically stated. As a supernatural spiritual being this would be no problem for an angel, but probably the idea is that he will stand in the direct path of sun light, but possessing even greater brilliance so that he can be seen. The image is one of great brilliance and light, which again manifests and emphasizes this whole scene as an act of God’s glory, especially His holiness, righteousness and justice. “and with a loud voice he called” This is the seventh time in Revelation that a “loud voice” is used to communicate something very significant. It was used before in 6:10 ; 7:2, 10 ; 10:3 ; 14:15 ; 18:2 and now in 19:17. This is an attention getting book that demands us to closely see, experience, and understand. All of this “loudness” indicates something big is about to take place. “he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead”, The angel under God’s sovereignty now summons the birds of the natural world to take part in a key piece of His 2nd Coming. The angel does not speak to man, but to birds—a special kind of bird. Literally it says, “to all the birds, to those which fly in mid heaven.” He is not just talking about birds which fly, but about those that are noted for soaring high in the sky and noted for eating flesh, i.e., vultures, buzzards, and perhaps even hawks and eagles. In taking a look at Matthew 24:28, the Greek word means “eagle, vulture,” just as we can also see in Job 39:26-30. 2. A Certain and Sure Announcement – 19:17b 19:17b “Come, gather for the great supper of God, Certain Announcement This is another invitation, the second found in Revelation 19, the first of which is the invitation of the saints to Marriage Supper of the Lamb to His Bride, the church. These two invitations are very much opposite of one another, as one is of the utmost joy and the other is of the greatest tragedy where God’s enemies are killed. The birds are then commanded to assemble for a very special meal. “Come” is a verb of command or exhortation. “Gather” is an aorist passive imperative suggesting urgency, “be gathered.” “for the great supper of God”, “For the great supper of God,” - for the slaughter of the armies of the world. This announcement is one of absolute certainty and the command is not one that says this may happen, rather, it is one that is definitely going to take place so they have no other choice but to obey their maker communicating to them through the angel. Suppers in the Bible Supper is δεῖπνον [deipnon] and it is the same exact word in the Greek that depicts the marriage supper of the Lamb seen previously in this chapter. In both these suppers, God is the host but in each there are different guests and focuses. These here who will be killed for this supper all share and partake in the curse of Deuteronomy 28:26 And your dead body shall be food for all birds of the air and for the beasts of the earth, and there shall be no one to frighten them away. 4 of in the New Testament 1. Supper of Salvation - Luke 14:16-24 Luke 14:15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” You reject this offer, then the 2nd one will mean nothing to you. 2. Lord Supper – Matthew 26 ; Luke 22 ; Mark 14 Matthew 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” Luke 22:14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.[c] 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. Mark 14:22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 3.
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