Presents the Tell it like it is! series of studies:

Revelation 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

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Now here is our revised study of: Christopherson's Revelation chapter 19.

Chapter 19

"Final Heavenly Utterances"

This chapter records John's revelation of the glorious "Day of the Lord". As the destruction of Satan's world kingdom takes place, it is Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gets all the praise, and leads the saints to victory.

Revelation 19:1 "And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Al-le-lu'-ia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:"

What "things" are we talking about here? The time of Satan's rule on earth, where all but the elect of God have been drawn to Satan in his role as the spurious messiah, who many refer to as the antichrist, thinking he is Jesus Christ. This is the start of making things right.

That "great voice of much people" includes all the saints who have died and gone to be with the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 "Then shall the dust return to earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

Upon death the body will return to dust, however, your soul [spiritual-eternal] body goes immediately to be with Our Heavenly Father. It is these souls who are the heavenly chorus. They have waited patiently for the day of revenge and the day has now arrived.

Paul quotes Moses in Romans 12:19: "...Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." from the "Song of Moses" is recorded in Deuteronomy 32:35: "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."

Revelation 19:2 "For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand."

In the Greek text, "true" is "altehinos", which is used to show a genuine, real article rather than unreal and fictitious.

On that "Day of the Lord", Satan and the great whore, which includes all religious forms that bowed to him as the instead-of-christ, will have been destroyed. 

Those professing Christians who, in ignorance, chased after the first Christ [Antichrist] will know the truth in their shame, when Christ tells them, "But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." Luke 13:27.

Every saint that has lost his life or suffered for Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Father will be avenged on this day. This is why the song, "Al-le-lu'-ia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:" Revelation 19:1.

Revelation 19:3 "And again they said, Al-le-lu'-ia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever."

The smoke of Satan's kingdom will be ashes forever.

Antichrist's five month reign will be a lesson as he lays in the pit during the Millennium, then following the Millennium Satan will be "loosed a season, and then cast into the `lake of fire' ".

Revelation 19:4 "And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, A-men'; Al-le-lu'-ia."

These are the same twenty-four elders of Revelation 4:4. Though the scriptures do not name them, I prefer not also. However, they are twenty-four saints whom God has chosen for a special place because of their steadfastness in their earthly lives.

The four beasts here are also named in Revelation 4:6. These beasts [living things] also are not named. In the Greek they are called "Zoa", "living creatures". They also gave God all the praise.  The whole world will know and worship Our Lord on that day.

Revelation 19:5 "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great."

The call came forth out of the throne for all of the saints of God to worship the Heavenly Father. All means everyone who is saved under the blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 19:6 "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Al-le-lu'-ia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

Praise God! That great multitude is every soul that exists, and the "voice of many waters" is from all the nations and ethnic groups. The "voice of mighty thunderings" is the roar of praise as all praise Our Lord God in unison. Omnipotent means He is all-powerful, and Our Lord is the omnipotent that reigns over all.

Revelation 19:7 "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."

This is a continuation of the great voice flowing from the throne of God. It is here and now that the wedding [marriage of the Lamb] is to take place. Remember in Matthew 25:1-13 the parable of the ten virgins; Jesus told us that five virgins [his bride] "took no oil" [studied not God's Word] and were not ready when the bridegroom came. However, five virgins went and got their oil [studied and were prepared] for the bridegroom's coming, and each of them will go into the marriage. By not being prepared [studying to know that the false Christ came first], the five foolish virgins went into the wrong wedding and were taken by Satan, the instead-of-christ.

In verse 7 we are told it is now time "for the marriage of the Lamb". Are you ready for the marriage? If you don't know the proper time, you will be deceived. If you're looking for a "rapture" or some special wonders and miracles, you will be in the group of the five foolish virgins. Yes, Satan the Antichrist will be a perfect copy, only he will have flaws that you will only recognize if you have learned the seven signs of the Antichrist's coming first. Jesus gives them in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. John also reveals them in Revelation 6, in the name of the seven seals and seven trumpets. Know them, so that you are not deceived.

Revelation 19:8 "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."

The "fine linen, clean and white" text reads "bright and pure". The fine linen are the righteousness of your acts while you are living in your flesh body on earth. The only works that count are the works done for our Lord, without gain to us in this earth age.

Now is the time to prepare your garment to be worn for eternity. Will they be fine, or will you be naked as a jay bird?

Revelation 19:9 "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."

The "he" represents the seven angels who are giving John the tour of this vision of the last days. Remember John was taken to heaven, spiritually to witness these things. As the events take place, John is told to write. So there can be no misunderstanding, John writes it down. "Blessed" in the Greek text is "makario" (#3107), and is the word for "one who is extremely well off".  All those who are to take part in this "marriage supper of the Lamb" will become joint heirs with Jesus Christ, as sons of the Living God.

When the scripture talks about "the true sayings of God", it refers to promises given to all the souls that overcame and did not follow Satan the false-christ while in the flesh. These are the promises Jesus told us we could count on, that would come to pass. And in Revelation 19:9 they are coming true.

Revelation 19:10 "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

At the sight of the marriage supper and the awesomeness of Our Heavenly Father, John was going to worship the messenger.

This angel [messenger] let John know he was a redeemed soul [fellowservant] just like John.

How many times do we see the worship of saints, and prayers to the dead? It is written it is only for the Heavenly Father. "For Thou shalt have no other Gods before me" is the first commandment of God. In worshipping God, we give the testimony of Jesus Christ. This can only be understood and done by the Holy Spirit, who is the "spirit of prophecy". The entire Book of Revelation tells us.

Revelation 1:1 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John."

Revelation 1:2 "Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw."

This is the testimony of Jesus Christ to you.

Revelation 19:11 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."

This is the "Day of the Lord" and the one on the horse is Jesus Christ. "Faithful and true" is the name of Jesus Christ, as we will see him referred to this to the end of Revelation.

Unlike the one on the white horse who came forth when the first seal was opened in Revelation 6:1-2, this white horse carries Jesus Christ when He comes to judge and rule the earth. This white horse will carry a man of righteousness.

The other white horse carried the fake, the counterfeit, who would deceive those five foolish virgins of Matthew 25:1-13, and all who are looking for a rapture, and do not know in their minds that the first rider to come is the Antichrist. Our Lord Jesus Christ will make war on Satan, his one world system that worships him, and all false prophets that would lead God's bride to the false-christ.

Revelation 19:12 "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself."

As Christ comes to earth, the burning in his eyes is fixed on one thing, to bring righteousness to the earth and to bring vengeance and wrath on those who have ruled and cheated His people.

The "many crowns he wore" were diadems. These were like a turban either with many colors, or just pure white. They represented the king, and showed his realm. Jesus Christ will set up rule and His kingdom in the Millennium age and it will cover every nation ever formed. His names and crowns are so vast they cover all humanity of all time and even includes the nations of that first earth age.

Revelation 19:13 "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."

The vesture he wore was stained in the blood: His blood from His death on the cross, and also the blood of the righteous saints who had shed their blood for the sake of Our Heavenly Father, and Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, this is the day of vengeance, the day of wrath when all things are made right.

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:2 "The same was in the beginning with God."

John 1:3 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

John 1:4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."

John 1:5 "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

Revelation 19:14 "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."

When Christ returns to earth to judge and set up His kingdom, all the saints of God will return and reign with him also. The marriage of Christ and His bride will have taken place, and rewards given.

Revelation 19:15 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."

This verse refers to Psalms 2:9, Isaiah 11:4, 49:2, and 63:3. That sword that goes forth is a sharp, two-edged sword, which will smite and bring down all nations. For then, the new kingdom to be set up will be a righteous one. It will be without Satan, the false prophets, and the locust army of fallen angels.

You may play with God's word and church now, however, that will soon end. 

The rule of this time, in Christ's kingdom will be a boot camp for learning and discipline.

The teachers are His saints, and in your spirit [soul] bodies you will understand all matters clearly.

Revelation 19:16 "And he hath on His vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

There will be no doubt by anyone in the world who this is that is coming. All people will see Him, and all will know Him. It is written boldly, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS".

Revelation 19:17 "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;"

Revelation 19:18 "That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men both free and bond, both small and great."

This is what the prophet Ezekiel wrote about in Ezekiel 39:17. This is following the two great battles on earth; the battle of Armageddon fought in the tiny nation of Israel, and Hammon-gog, somewhere in Alaska or the northern parts.

Hammon-gog is the final battle where God brings down the Russians and a group of nations coming against the "House of Israel", the United States, Great Britain, and Christian nations such as Canada; and God stacks their bodies high, and kills their armies. The kings of the Russians and her allies will be right out in front, and their flesh and blood will perish also. It is this flesh that the birds will eat, and blood they will devour. The birds will have a great supper.

Revelation 19:19 "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army."

Who is the beast? Remember the beast had two parts, the first was the one world political system that had a mortal wound, or it fell apart. Out of it came another religious one world system that gave it's power to Satan, the Antichrist, who, in turn, took it back. That system came in power through deception and turned into a one world religious order. Do I believe we will see it? I know we will, for it's forming and now rules. Many of the parts of the seals of Revelation are working today, and we see the results nightly on television.

Though Satan's arrival will be shortly, you had better be prepared, for his approach will be a surprise and total deception. It is this one world system that will join forces to come against Jesus Christ and the saints. Will this be nuclear? No. Read Ezekiel 39 and see.

Revelation 19:20 "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a like of fire burning with brimstone."

Are you going to be one of the deceived? I think not. For if you understand that Satan, the world-wide church that is urging you to follow him, as well as the false prophet with all the lying wonders will have to take place before you enter your soul body [eternal body]; so why in the world would you worship any man while you're in your flesh body?

After the Millennium age and the great white throne judgment, God will round up the false prophet, the beast [those who took part in that one world system], from their place of holding; and Satan, the Kenites, and all of them are going to be burned to ashes.

Revelation 19:21 "And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note:: We are going to stop here in this "Revelation of Jesus Christ" study to review some commentary from chapter 19 in an earlier study we published on the "Revelation of Jesus Christ."  I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that did and will take place may prove helpful in our understanding of Jesus' revelation. Also, our introduction #9300 was taken from this earlier study so keep your eyes open for study tips and rules to help simplify your grasp of Jesus' end time revelation

We've reached the 19th chapter in the great Book of the Revealing and there's about to be rejoicing in heaven. The 7th Trump is still sounding as Jesus Christ returns to this earth having judged the great whore and avenged the blood of His servants. Babylon the great is history!

However, before we begin this chapter let's take a preview look at some of the terminology and symbols used in this chapter. You see, if you have studied line by line with us from the beginning of this book, then you will have no problem understanding most of this chapter because you already know what most everything means. For example, here of some the symbols and phrases used that we've read of and learned about to this point in the Book of Revelation:

Therefore the rest of the words and phrases in in this study, such as Lamb, Word of God, Kings of kings and Lord of lords, etc., are to be found previously in God's Word.

The point is that if a person were to pick up the book of Revelation and try to read and understand it without the foundation from the Word, you just can't imagine what kind of scenarios they would come up with. On second thought, you've probably seen some of the wild and crazy interpretations of this book. I actually heard one nationally televised preacher tell the viewers that there are going to come "huge locusts, down out of the sky, the size of horses, with stingers in their tails, and when they sting you it will hurt for 5 months".

Confusion, confusion! And it all comes from not studying the Word of God!  And so it is written that the time is fast approaching when the whole world will be confused about who the true Christ is. Will you? Not if you are sealed with His Word in your forehead.

Chapter 19 verse 1:

By the way, this is the first time this word "Hallelujah" is used in the New Testament and it is connected with the punishment of the wicked. Do you know what? The first time it is used in the Old Testament it is connected with the same thing.

So John observes them praising God in heaven.

Don't let the phrase "and her smoke rose up for ever and ever" conjure up some image of an ever burning hell fire. It simply means that when something is burned and it "goes up in smoke" it is gone for ever and ever.

"Yes, but salvation is of grace and not of works", you say. True, but you are rewarded by your works, so will you be saved with your clothes on or will you saved stark naked.

Now John is given some instructions. Back to work John!

What is the testimony of Jesus? It's the entire Word of God. We could say it's both the Old Testimony and the New Testimony. Yes, I like it!

The rider on this white horse is Jesus Christ, and He is coming to make war with His enemies, who we read in Rev. 17 are preparing to make war with Him. Rev. 17:14 "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."

Yes, He will have many crowns on His head for all the crowns of the earth will have been surrendered to Him.

The word "knew" used here is "oido" which means to "know intuitively without effort". Do you know His name?

Did you notice that everyone who rides with Him is fully clothed in white linen.

Christ is coming to make war (Rev. 19:14-15) and to subdue all nations, taking all their "crowns", and placing them all under His rod of correction. We observed Him returning with His armies, who rode upon white horses, and were clothed with fine white linen, meaning their righteous acts.

Just wait until you see this army of the Host of Heaven led by the King of kings! It will truly be an awesome sight to behold! Of course when we read about the horses we wonder if these horses are real horses like "Trigger" or "Secretariat" or "Silver". Well, not exactly. Do you remember in 2 Kings chapter 6 when Elisha and the young man were surrounded by a host of enemy horses and chariots, and how Elisha prayed to the Father to reveal the heavenly army to the young man?

In any event, when Christ returns to make war at the sound of the 7th Trump, we read that His armies will follow Him. It is at this time that His Kingdom will be ushered in, which is to say that His Millennial reign will begin. This is one statement to which most everyone agrees. But there is something which happens at Christ's return which is a "mystery" to most.

Do you recall how many times we've said that an understanding of the rest of the Bible is essential in order to come to the fullness of the understanding of the Book of Revelation? That makes sense, doesn't it? You can't just pick up a book and read the last chapter or two and understand the whole book, can you?  Here's what we said:

So before we see the picture, let us first understand what Paul said. The subject is he is addressing is the death and resurrection of the body from flesh to spirit:

Paul explains it and makes it very simple for us to understand, which I guess is why it is a "mystery" to most.

And about how long, and precisely when will this change of bodies take place?

Now don't let the phrase "the dead shall be raised incorruptible" cause you to switch subjects in the middle of a sentence. The subject is the change of bodies from flesh to spirit. We read in verse 51 that it is ALL who are changed and here in verse 52 Paul breaks it down into two categories. (1) The "dead", who are the "spiritually dead", i.e. the figuratively dead (see appendix 139 in the Companion Bible regarding the different use of the word nekros translated "dead" in the NT). They too will be elevated, or raised to incorruptible bodies, and (2) we Christians also!

Paul is simply saying both the good and the bad, those who are saved and those who aren't, will be changed, i.e. ALL, EVERYONE!

And so there is much confusion in the ranks of Christianity concerning the subject of "resurrection" because of the lack of understanding of the use of the word "nekros" and the failing to understand the simplicity of the "mystery" that Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15.

So we have learned from the apostle Paul that ALL flesh will be changed when Christ returns, and it is at that point to which we have arrived in Rev. 19. Here then is the PICTURE of the end of all flesh at the sound of the 7th Trump:

The original texts read "to the great supper of God". The word "supper" used is here is the Greek word "deipnon" which comes from "dapane", dap-an'-ay, Greek #1160; from dapto (to devour); expense (as consuming) :- cost.

Again, don't be confused and bring in subjects that are not being discussed. This verse is not talking about the marriage supper of the Lamb which takes place later. Jesus Christ is returning and the flesh age is over and all mankind will be changed into their spiritual bodies.

So do you get the PICTURE that there will be a lot of carcasses lying around for the birds to feast on and clean up? Pretty graphic isn't it?

The 14th chapter of the Book of Zechariah gives us this same account of Christ's return when His feet touch down upon the Mount of Olives. Remember we just read in Rev. 19:18 that "ALL FLESH" is going to be consume away at His return and that includes the earthly kings and their armies which Satan has gathered at Jerusalem to make war against the Lamb.

Now let's think for a moment. We know that Satan will be loosed for a short time after the Millennium to be used as a final test for those who go through the Millennium.  But he will NOT be given a one political system again (for Christ is taking charge as King of kings forever when He returns), nor will he afforded the role as false Messiah again, i.e. the false prophet.

Here's verse 21 to complete the 19th chapter:

Again, I hope you can see that there is nothing new here that we haven't read of before! We are reading the final chapters of the Word of God. We should know all of this before we get to this point. Revelation is simply the uncovering, a final Pictorial Look at the events consummating the end of this age, i.e. it is mostly summary material.

In chapter 20 we will go into and even pass through the Millennium to that final judgment when all that is evil and wicked is consumed away in the lake of fire and the 3rd Heaven and 3rd Earth age, which will exist for all eternity, is finally come!

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