Produced by TheMediaDesk, ©2021, updated 2025
Posted on CCPC's website 2025
Again. This study is verse by verse, IMAGE by Image, IDEA by Idea, and concept by concept. Which means it is a Marathon.
We are using sources that John the Apostle and those mentioned as the recipients of the letter, the Seven Churches and other First Century Christians, the majority of which were Jews, would / should / could have been familiar with. We will also reference newer translations and versions of the book, beginning with the 1560 Geneva Bible (the bulk source for the 1611 KJV, which we also use) all the way up to much more current publications, and examinations of the text from various scholars, as well as beginning the analysis of the text from the Greek.
It should be said here, as we are beginning with the Greek, we are going in remembering that John was writing in an 'apocalyptic' style. It seems many translations have forgotten that and 'moderated' the language.
1
There's a time lapse, but it is unknown as to how long, and we're back to first person narration. And there's a change in the venue.
"Meta tauta" (after that) I heard 'voices loud like' a "ochlou pollou" (throng 'of people' great) in heaven, "legonton" saying: "Hallelouia!" ("hallelujah" / praise the Lord! (see more in a moment)) "soteria" (rescue / salvation) and the "doxa" (glory) and "dunamis" (power / might / strength) to the "Theou hemon" (God of us)!
"Halleluiah" (Hebrew) / "Alleluia" (Latin) / however it is spelled in English, means the same thing. The word originally came from Hebrew meaning "praise ye Jah or Yah (short form of Jehovah / YHWH )" and was taken wholly and completely first into Greek and then to Latin, and finally into English, German, Spanish, etc.
2
For "alethinai" (made of truth (word is emphasized)) and "dikaios" (equitable / holy / righteous) are the "krisis" (decisions (includes 'legal judgments') of Him, for He has "krino" (judged / determined) the "pornen" (prostitute / community of idolatry) the "megalen" (great / large), who "ephtheiren" (corrupted / spoiled / ruined) with the "porneia" (whoredom / idolatry) of her, "exedikesen" ('He has' vindicated / avenged (includes! 'revenge')) the "haima" (blood (especially: shed blood)) of the "doulos" (slaves / bond-servants / etc) of Him, 'out of her' "cheiros" (hand).
The text is directly blaming the embodiment of the city for what has happened to the believers that were killed, and perhaps simply abused, in the city. Therefore, the city as a whole is suffering the Wrath of GOD.
3 and 4
And a second time they said "Hallelouia!" the "kapnos" (smoke (from burning)) of her "anabaino" (rises / goes up) to the "aionas ton aionon" (ages upon ages (the repetition means: in perpetuity).
There is a double meaning to that last phrase. This is one of the descriptions of God in Revelation 1, and 4 : 9 and 10, and so on. And also includes the idea that the smoke rises for a very long time.... almost forever.
Then the twenty four elders and the four living creatures from earlier in the book worshiped the One God on the throne saying "Amen" (truly / etc) "Hallelouia".
5
And a voice from the throne "exelthen" (comes out) saying: "Aineite" (praise) to the God of us, all the "douloi" (slaves / servants) of Him, and all those who "phoboumenoi" (revere / are in awe of / 'fear') of Him, "mikros ... megas" (insignificant /least 'and' mighty / great (the terms most likely refer to the socio-economic status of the believers))
Once again we have an inanimate object speaking. And in this case, the text indicates that it is the "Big Chair" that is talking. As the altar's horns did in chapter 9, as well as a storm cloud that spoke with thunder, chapter 10. We were warned in Luke 19 that certain things can speak when confronted with the majesty and power of GOD, for more see verse 40 there.
6
John hears, stuff... The thunder here is not thunder, like the sound of mighty waters, a large crowd (the same sound and imagery was used in 14 : 2), saying....
Hallelouia (same as before) "ebasileusen" (rules, reigns) the Lord God of Us, the "Pantokrator" (Almighty Creator / Ruler of the Universe).
7
we are "chairo (full of joy / rejoice) "kai" (and) "agallao" (exult / celebrate), and will give glory to Him, because has come the "gamos" (wedding ceremony) of the "Arniou" (Lamb), and the bride has prepared herself.
"gamos" is exactly the same word we see John use to describe the wedding in Cana, and in Christ's parable in Matthew 22 of the wedding feast. The first two terms are the indication of the overwhelming gladness of the people, then the resulting activity driven by that emotion. We'll look at the bride next.
8
And it was given to her, the bride, to be "peroballo" (clothed / wrapped) in "bussinos" (fine linen), "lampron, katharon" (radiant, clean / pure). For the fine linen the "dikaioma" (righteous acts / justification) of the saints are.
The image of the Bride of the Messiah / God goes way back before it is mentioned in Ephesians 5, 2 Corinthians 11, or even the story by Christ in Matthew 25. We saw it in the Minor Prophets study in Hosea 2 :19. And it is an image that is seen in Isaiah 54. And here, in Revelation 19, the Bride appears and is, so far, unidentified.
9
And he says to me....
This 'he' is not identified until later although it appears to be the angel that was speaking to him in chapter 17.
... write, "Makarioi" (to be envied / blessed) are those who have been "keklemenoi" (summoned / invited) to the "deipnon tou gamou" (supper of the marriage) of the Lamb. And he says to me, "Houtoi" (these / this) "logos" (expression / topic / words) "alethinos" (genuine / real) of "Theou" (GOD) "eisin" (is/are).
Once again John is commanded to write, this time because what he is seeing and hearing is the ultimate Truth of Almighty God.
10
There's a momentary break in the action when John does something he shouldn't, which proves he was human.
And I "epesa emprosthen podon autou" (fell in front of feet his) to "proskynesai" (to prostrate himself in homage /worship). And he says: "Hora me" (see that you do not). "Syndoulos sou eimi" (a 'co-slave' / similar servant with you I am) and the brothers of you, "echonton" (possessing / holding) the "martyrian" (witness / evidence / testimony) of "Iesou" (Jesus). The "Theo proskyneson"! For the "testimony/etc" of Jesus is the "pneuma tes propheteias" (breath / spirit of 'communicating a revealed truth' / prophesy)
This was one of the sections mentioned in our essay on angels, that they ARE NOT to be worshiped! It also says something about the Gospel and the way it is to be spread.
11
John sees heaven opened up and "idou" (Behold / 'Look - See') a "hippos leukos" (horse white) and the One sitting on it was called "Pistos kai Alethinos" (Trustworthy / Faithful and Made of Truth) and in "dikaiosyne" (righteous equity) he "krinei" (distinguishes / judges) and "polemei" (fights / battles / makes war).
12
It's interesting to go back to chapter one, as well as what is mentioned in 2 and 3 in the letters to the churches, and compare this image to that one.
And His eyes are like a flame of "pyros" (the sun / lightning / fire), and upon His head are "diademata" (diadem (jeweled crown signifying sovereignty) "polla" (many), having "onoma gegrammenon" (a name written) which "oudeis oiden" (no one knows / remembers / appreciates), if not Himself,
13
having been clothed in "himation" (a tunic, outer garment) "bebammenon" (dipped (as to dye cloth)) "haimati" (in blood). And is called the name of Him "Ho Logos Tou Theou" (The Word of GOD).
Again we come back to the introduction to John's gospel, and the beginning of 1 John.
14
And the "strateuma" (armies / soldiers) of heaven "ekolouthei" (accompanied) Him on white horses having been clothed in clean white linen.
We do not know exactly who the 'soldiers' in this army are at this point. They may be the saints, as the text points out that they have been clothed in white linen which implies that they've had a change of wardrobe recently. Or as the phrase is very general in ... (ignore pun, keep moving)... in context, it could be made up of angels (there are how many 'legions' of them available, see Matthew 26), or perhaps whoever, or whatever, was standing around in heaven with nothing else to do, and/or, could be all of the above (ignore pun....).
15
and out of his "stoma" (mouth) of Him "ekporeuomai" (goes out / comes forth / etc) "rhomphaia" (sword) "oxus" (sharp / swift (means both))....
We're back to the vision in chapter one, verse sixteen to be exact.
..... "oxeia, hina en aute pataxe" (sharp / swift, that He may strike down / smite (implies death)) "ethne" ('foreign' nations); and He will "poimanei" (herd / tend / govern / 'shepherd') them with a rod of iron. And He "patei" (tramples) the "lenos oinos" (wine press) of the "thymou" (fury / passionate wrath) of "Theou tou Pantokratoros" (God the Ruler of All).
Do you get the idea that this part of The Apocalypse made a big impression on Julia Ward Howe (1819 - 1910)? The lady that wrote the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and included the lines:
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on."
Original 1862 lyrics available at: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/civil-war-music-battle-hymn-republic, link below.
Name tag tangent.
Where a name is 'written' on somebody is somewhat important, and how it is done is also worth looking at, whether by 'hot iron branding', a tattoo, or even a less permanent mark such as a henna design, or even something that is removable such as a 'name tag'.
There is significance in the placement, such as on their forehead, in both the status of the person, or thing when we're talking about the beast, so marked. That location is for ease of identification of whoever they come in contact with. Slaves weren't usually branded with a red-hot iron pressed onto their forehead, as long as they stayed 'home'. Sometimes fugitives and certain convicted criminals were. The more technical name for the process is "scarification" and, unless some extensive plastic surgery is done, it is permanent. And, believe it or not, human branding has come back into fashion as yet another type of 'body modification', and people pay for the privilege of having such pain inflicted on them.
In Roman times, captured runaway slaves and army deserters (those who weren't killed outright) were branded with FGV (fugitive) on their forehead, and or hand, or even on their calf of their leg. Sometimes all three just to make the point. And then sent back into slavery because a good, trained, slave is worth money. But, once so marked, if they got into trouble again, well, that was the end of it, because they are now causing more hassle than they're worth.
Other cultures branded everything from their own slaves and cattle to trade goods and even trees with specially shaped hot irons (letters, numbers, symbols) to denote land ownership boundaries or other important designations. However, other than the finding the branding irons in the remains of period structures, most of the articles branded were perishable, especially given the scale of time we're talking about, and exactly how some of them were used isn't clear.
The other type of mark, the tattoo, is somewhat less destructive to the skin, but is also permanent to some degree. Tattooing, inserting ink into the skin with some sort of needle, has also been done since ancient times. Some Egyptian mummies who had been buried somewhere around 3000 BC had decorative tattoos on them that are still visible. So unless medically removed, a tattoo is pretty much permanent.
Other marks, such as henna (a dye made from from the henna plant), or even a magic marker, may last over a month for henna with a bit of care and if done properly. Henna has been used to draw or paint designs on people, and various other canvases for even longer than tattooing, reaching so far back into prehistory throughout Africa and Asia there is no known 'first use'.
As for the name on His 'overcoat' as something of a removable name tag, it could be anywhere, even across the chest or on the back, as well as down along the thigh where a sword would usually hang. In this case, the name, and that it is highly visible, is what is important. There is no mistake as to Who is on the horse.
End tangent
... a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Greek could also be translated as: the Ruler of Rulers, Sovereign of... (the equivalent term would be Emperor) and Master of Masters. This term is the same as was used in 17 :14.
17
This one takes some explaining. The angel John sees now isn't standing IN the star we call 'the Sun', he is standing in the sunlight, perhaps with some dark glasses and a drink made inside a coconut shell with a surfboard nearby (or not, OK, moving on), when he does what Saint Francis is said to have done, talking to the birds of the air. "My sweet little sisters, birds of the sky, you are bound to heaven, to God, your Creator. In every beat of your wings and every note of your songs, praise him."
Oh, we need to look at the verse, OK... here we go:
There is another possible time gap in the action, although it would appear to be brief.
John sees another angel standing in the "helios" (sun or sunlight) and he "ekraxen" (shrieks /shouts) in a "phone megale" (voice great / loud) "legon" (saying) to "pasin" (all/ the whole / every) "orneois" (general word for 'birds') "petomenois en mesouranemati" (flying in the middle-heaven (the sky)), Come "synachthete" ('convene together for a good time') to the "deipnon" (evening meal / supper) of the Great GOD.
OK, so Francis spoke the birds that were sitting on the ground and didn't fly away when he approached, while the angel speaks to birds in the air. Oh, well.
18 - Analysis
The menu for the bird party is one of the more gruesome parts of The Apocalypse.
The term is the same for everybody and everything listed, "sarkas" meaning (body / flesh) and while it implies a 'dead' body, they might still be alive. The active verb is the same for as well, "phagete" (to eat). The birds will eat the flesh of... everybody on the other side. The list in the text is extensive and ranges from kings down through warriors on their horses, to slaves. Then it specifies the "mikros" (small / insignificant) and "megas" (great / mighty), which we have seen before as well.
Isaiah 34 talks about how the scavenging birds will flourish. Christ talks about the "aetoi" (vultures) in Matthew 24: 26 (which the KJV calls 'eagles'). These birds were unclean to Jews, as seen in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
Even Homer, in about 800 BC in the Iliad talks about vultures following the Greek army and their feasting on the bodies of dead soldiers, and they especially seemed to like dead donkeys. One of the more common vultures in the area is called the Griffon Vulture, of which an adult can weigh over 20 pounds and have a 9 foot wingspan.
We don't think these carrion fowl are Saint Francis' "sweet little sisters". See link below to his short sermon to the birds.
19
John sees something else, the beast.....
For right now he doesn't say WHICH beast, the one from the sea, or the land, or even the 'image', only that he saw 'the beast' (not the dragon). But, really, it doesn't matter which beast it is since the kings were essentially following both of them to some degree. No, it doesn't matter. And the next line proves that these kings never heard the Battle Hymn of the Republic, or they wouldn't have come out for this.
... and the kings of the earth and their armies come together to make war on the One on the horse.....
That's how it is stated. There's a lot of horses in the mix, some on both sides according to the text, the only difference here is how it is stated, "tou" (the (with 'the One' being unstated but implied in the Greek)) sitting on the horse, and the army of "autos" (Him (the double meaning is intended, this is the Army of Christ, AND the Army of GOD ALMIGHTY)).
20
And the beast was captured, and with him the "pseudoprophetes" (impostor religious / false prophet), the one who did the signs before him by which the beast "planao" (deceived / led astray) those that had the mark of the beast, and worshiped it, and the image of it....
OK, take a break, catch your breath for a second. The key here is that the beast and his showmen, and his co-beast-thing, were captured by the One on the horse and His army. It does not say how long the battle was, although it does give the impression that it was quick and decisive. Break's over, back to verse 20.
.... "zontes" (to be alive / living)....
They. Meaning the beast, the false prophets, and assorted cohorts, were captured alive, and remained so. That means they were some manner of flesh and blood, breathing air, and all the rest of it. They were alive in this world when apprehended.
.... "eblethesan" (were thrown / dropped) the "dyo" (two) into the "limnen tou pyros" (lake of fire) burning with "theion" (brimstone / sulfur).
Sulfur will ignite spontaneously in air at about 400 degrees Fahrenheit (230C), but once it gets going, it actively burns with a flame that is 'electric blue' at temperatures up to 1800 F (1000C).
21
And the "loipoi apektanthesan" (remainder 'were' put to death) with the sword coming from the mouth of the One on the horse.
Then they fed the birds.
End 19
Selected Sources for this chapter:
"Civil War Music: 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic'
Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910)"
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/civil-war-music-battle-hymn-republic
AND
One of the best versions of the song available:
The US Army Field Band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy6AOGRsR80
Ancient Egyptian tattoos: https://www.smithsonianmag.com
Full URL: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/infrared-reveals-egyptian-mummies-hidden-tattoos-180973700/
More on Francis of Assisi: https://www.historyplace.com/speeches/saintfran.htm
a bit dramatic, but you've got to love the title of this PDF (the 'all caps' is their idea):
"HAVE VULTURES LEFT THE BATTLEFIELD? SCAVENGERS AND WAR IN GREEK HISTORIOGRAPHY"
https://histos.org/documents/2018AA05KostuchHaveVulturesLefttheBattlefield.pdf
Sources used throughout entire study:
Bible Hub Interlinear pages:
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/1.htm
the Geneva Bible downloadable https://archive.org/details/TheGenevaBible1560
the 1611 KJV https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611-Bible/ The study Index page.
NOTE: The Bible Study Lesson presented above is posted as a reference document to begin a conversation of the topic. And that's it. Please accept it at such.
http://centralparkchurchofchrist.org
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