Revelation 19:15-21

We are finishing chapter 19 — these are the most exciting and, I think, most important chapters, what believers have longed for as our future inheritance. We saw the great multitude rejoicing, the wedding feast of the Lamb, and King Jesus riding out on his white horse with his armies (the church). Now, how the King deals with his enemies.¶

The sword from his mouth¶

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Revelation 19:15-16 (ESV)¶

Jesus isn't holding a sword — the sword comes from his mouth. This isn't merely metaphorical. In the beginning God created everything with a word; in the end he will destroy his enemies with a word. Jesus doesn't need a sword of metal. John wrote of this before, in a smaller setting: when the soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus said, "I am he," and "they drew back and fell to the ground" (John 18:6) — they fell under the weight of his words. This is our heritage too: "no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed" (Isaiah 54:17) — not that earthly weapons can't hurt our bodies, but they cannot take our eternal life. This is how we defeat our enemy on earth as well: with God's word on our lips and the hope of eternal life in our hearts (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).¶

And his name is on his thigh — where a sheath would be attached — but instead of a sheath holding a sword, there is a name: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His authority does not come by power, might, or weapons; many have seized thrones by force, but Jesus inherited his throne from his Father and by his own blood. He is King and Lord of all by rightful heritage.¶

The two suppers¶

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds... "Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings... and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great."

Revelation 19:17-18 (ESV)¶

Two feasts take place: one where we celebrate with Jesus at his table, and one where the guests are the meal — eaten by the very birds that were created for man to have dominion over. Blessed are those invited to the wedding feast; cursed are those who invited themselves to the great supper of God.¶

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse...

Revelation 19:19-21 (ESV)¶

Who rules hell¶

The beast and false prophet are thrown alive into the lake of fire — and there is only One who can do this: "fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). There is a common misconception that the devil is in charge of hell, but that is furthest from the truth — Jesus has "the keys of Death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18). The demons themselves asked, "Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8:29) — Jesus is the one who will torment them. Satan does not rule hell; he will be punished there forever, along with all who followed him. Hell was not made for man — "the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41) — but it will be home to all who, like the devil, deny the truth.¶

This is what is so sad about all who deny Christ: hell will be filled with forgiven people who denied the forgiveness purchased for them, who wanted to justify themselves rather than be justified by Jesus, to stand on their own merits rather than the work of Christ. This is the good news: we have been forgiven at the cross, and all we must do is believe in the name of the one who purchased that forgiveness with his own blood. Every transgression has already received its just retribution — Christ endured it. "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:1-4). That question is rhetorical. Do not take these words lightly; the weight of others' salvation is not on your shoulders but on Christ's — but we have the words of eternal life. Let us ask God for the love and courage to tell them, and pray for their hearts to believe.¶