AM Bible Study Group; December 2, 2009

Revelation 19:17-2:3

Theme: This passage describes what will happen to the devil and his forces at the return of the Lord to this earth.

This passage describes victory! It’s good news; because it describes to us the events that will occur at the return of the Lord—just before He sets up His rule and begins His thousand-year reign on earth with His saints.

We should greet this passage as the story of “the battle won”; because, in it, we are promised the end of the devil’s activities of evil against the saints during this present age.

I. THE GREAT SUPPER OF GOD IS ANNOUNCED (19:17-18).

This vision is introduced to John through an angel standing in the sun. This would illustrate a contrast to the darkness that covered the earth during the times of judgment. Imagine what a scene this would be—as the silhouette of this angel stands in the bright sunlight! Note that he announces to the birds of the earth that they should come for the supper of the great God (or more accurately, “the great supper of God”). This parallels the prophecy of Ezekiel 39:12. Note that they gather to eat the flesh of kings, captains, mighty men, horses and their riders, and all people—free and slave, small and great. This sounds very much like the group described in 6:15—who cried out at the coming of the wrath of the Lamb.

II. THE ARMIES OF THE BEAST ARE GATHERED (19:19).

Amazingly, the beast and his kings will gather their armies against Christ at His coming—in a last-ditch effort to prevent Him from reigning. Jesus is described as the One sitting on the white horse (v. 11). Who can fathom the depths of human depravity—that men would actually turn their guns on the Son of God and try to prevent Him from coming!

III. THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARE TAKEN (19:20).

The beast is “captured”—and with him the false prophet who worked miracles in the beast’s presence, and who deceived those who received his mark into worshiping his image (see 13:11-17). These two are distinct in that they are cast alive into the lake of fire at least 1,000 years before anyone else (see 20:5, 11-15). Note that they are cast in “alive” into that place described as burning with brimstone! What a dreadful thought.

IV. THE ARMIES OF THE BEAST ARE KILLED (19:21).

We’re told that the rest of the armies of the beast, who joined him in his attack against Christ, are killed “with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse” (see 1:16; 2:12, 16). The Lord but speaks the word, and they die. It’s then that the birds of the heavens who were given the invitation dine at the great supper of God! What a contrast to the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:7)! May we be there for that supper and not the other!

V. THE DEVIL IS BOUND FOR A THOUSAND YEARS (20:1-3).

It’s then that another angel comes down with the key to the bottomless pit (the abyss) and a great chain in his hand. He binds the dragon (and note the names he is given in 20:2) and casts him in the bottomless pit (not the lake of fire), shuts him up, sets a seal on him, and thus ensures that he will not deceive the nations during the next thousands years. He will be released, however, for a time at the end of the thousand-year reign of our Lord; but only to then be defeated and finally cast into the lake of fire (20:7-10).