The Meaning of Revelation 19:19 Explained

Revelation 19:19

KJV: 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.

YLT: And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, having been gathered together to make war with him who is sitting upon the horse, and with his army;

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

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Revelation 19:19 Mean?

Study Notes

make war
The day of Jehovah (called, also, "that day," and "the great day") is that lengthened period of time beginning with the return of the Lord in glory, and ending with the purgation of the heavens and the earth by fire preparatory to the new heavens and the new earth Isaiah 65:17-19 ; Isaiah 66:22 ; 2 Peter 3:13 ; Revelation 21:1 . The order of events appears to be:
(1) The return of the Lord in glory Matthew 24:29 ; Matthew 25:31-469
(2) the destruction of the Beast and his host, "the kings of the earth and their armies," and the false prophet, which is the "great and terrible" aspect of the day Revelation 19:11-21 .
(3) the judgment of the nations Zechariah 14:1-9 ; 1711650825_80 .
(4) the thousand years, i.e, the kingdom-age Revelation 20:4-6 .
(5) the Satanic revolt and its end Revelation 20:7-10 .
(6) the second resurrection and final judgment Revelation 20:11-15 and
(7) the "day of God," earth purged by fire 2 Peter 3:10-13 .
The day of the Lord is preceded by seven signs:
(1) The sending of Elijah Malachi 4:5 ; Revelation 11:3-6
(2) cosmical disturbances Joel 2:1-12 ; Matthew 24:29 ; Acts 2:19 ; Acts 2:20 ; Revelation 6:12-17
(3) the insensibility of the professing church 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
(4) the apostasy of the professing church, then become "Laodicea" 2 Thessalonians 2:3
(5) the rapture of the true church 1 Thessalonians 4:17 .
(6) the manifestation of the "man of sin," the Beast 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8
(7) the apocalyptic judgments (Revelation 11-18.).
make war Armageddon (battle of). See note, Revelation 16:14 ; Revelation 19:17
Come
Armageddon (the ancient hill and valley of Megiddo, west of Jordan in the plain of Jezreel) is the appointed place for the beginning of the great battle in which the Lord, at His coming in glory, will deliver the Jewish remnant besieged by the Gentile world- powers under the Beast and False Prophet Revelation 16:13-16 ; Zechariah 12:1-9 . Apparently the besieging hosts, whose approach to Jerusalem is described in Isaiah 10:28-32 alarmed by the signs which precede the Lord's coming Matthew 24:29 ; Matthew 24:30 have fallen back to Megiddo, after the events of Zechariah 14:2 where their destruction begins; a destruction consummated in Moab and the plains of Idumea Isaiah 63:1-6 . This battle is the first event in "the day of Jehovah" Isaiah 2:12 and is the fulfilment of the smiting-stone prophecy of Daniel 2:35 .

Verse Meaning

John now saw another scene on earth. The beast at this time will have10 allies ( Revelation 17:12-14; cf. Psalm 2:2). Their armies will represent the worldwide population of earth-dwellers. These armies will unite to oppose Christ ( Revelation 16:13-16). The battle will be over world leadership. When Jesus Christ returns, the beast"s10 allies that will have been fighting each other ( Ezekiel 38:21; Daniel 11:40-44) will unite against Christ ( Revelation 16:14). This is a description of the judgment portrayed proleptically in Revelation 14:14-20. It is surprisingly brief in view of its importance in history. This probably indicates that the battle will not last long (cf. Matthew 24:13-45).
"The Seer is not describing the gradual conquest of evil in the spiritual struggles of the faithful, but a great historic event which brings to an end the Antichrist and his forces and ushers in the long-awaited era of righteousness." [1]

Context Summary

Revelation 19:11-21 - "king Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords"
A sublime vision of Christ, as He comes to judge the beast, that is, the world-power, which has ever been in antagonism to the principles of His Kingdom. We must distinguish between it and the final judgment. This precedes, that follows, the millennial reign. Compare Matthew 24:27; Matthew 24:29; Matthew 24:37; Matthew 24:39. The blood in which His vesture is dipped is not His own, but that of His foes. See Isaiah 63:2. Here at last is fulfilled Psalms 2:9.
Notice the attributes of Christ: He is Faithful, because He will stand by us to the end. He is True, never doing less but always more than He has promised. Pure as flame. He is also in many realms; and the Word of God, that is, the final utterance and complete revelation of the Most High. Let us follow Him! But if we do, we must resemble Him. His robes are naturally white, but we must wash ours, that we may have the right to the tree of life and to enter the city of God. Compare Psalms 110:1-7. This will be the time, also, to which our Lord referred in Matthew 13:41. God's whirlwind will scatter the chaff. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 19

1  God is praised in heaven for judging the great harlot, and avenging the blood of his saints
7  The marriage of the Lamb
10  The angel will not be worshipped
17  The birds called to the great slaughter

Greek Commentary for Revelation 19:19

Gathered together [συνηγμενα]
Perfect passive participle of συναγω — sunagō In battle array. [source]
To make war against [ποιησαι πολεμον μετα]
First aorist active infinitive of ποιεω — poieō to express purpose. See πολεμεω μετα — polemeō meta in Revelation 12:7 and the use of συναγω εις πολεμον — sunagō eis polemon in Revelation 16:14; Revelation 20:8. The beast (for his army see Revelation 16:13.) led a league of ten kings against Babylon in Revelation 17:16., but with the purpose also of fighting the Lamb (Revelation 17:14). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 19:19

Revelation 16:14 Working signs [ποιουντα σημεια]
“Doing signs” (present active participle of ποιεω — poieō). The Egyptian magicians wrought “signs” (tricks), as did Simon Magus and later Apollonius of Tyana. Houdini claimed that he could reproduce every trick of the spiritualistic mediums.Which go forth (α εκπορευεται — ha ekporeuetai). Singular verb with neuter plural (collective) subject.Unto the kings The three evil spirits (dragon and the two beasts) spur on the kings of the whole world to a real world war. “There have been times when nations have been seized by a passion for war which the historian can but imperfectly explain” (Swete).To gather them together (συναγαγειν — sunagagein). Second aorist active infinitive of συναγω — sunagō to express purpose (that of the unclean spirits).Unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty Some take this to be war between nations, like Mark 13:8, but it is more likely war against God (Psalm 2:2) and probably the battle pictured in Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19. Cf. 2 Peter 3:12, “the day of God,” his reckoning with the nations. See Joel 2:11; Joel 3:4. Paul uses “that day” for the day of the Lord Jesus (the Parousia) as in 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philemon 1:6; Philemon 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
Revelation 16:14 Unto the kings [επι τους βασιλεις]
The three evil spirits (dragon and the two beasts) spur on the kings of the whole world to a real world war. “There have been times when nations have been seized by a passion for war which the historian can but imperfectly explain” (Swete).To gather them together (συναγαγειν — sunagagein). Second aorist active infinitive of συναγω — sunagō to express purpose (that of the unclean spirits).Unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty Some take this to be war between nations, like Mark 13:8, but it is more likely war against God (Psalm 2:2) and probably the battle pictured in Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19. Cf. 2 Peter 3:12, “the day of God,” his reckoning with the nations. See Joel 2:11; Joel 3:4. Paul uses “that day” for the day of the Lord Jesus (the Parousia) as in 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philemon 1:6; Philemon 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
Revelation 16:14 Unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty [εις τον πολεμον της ημερας της μεγαλης του τεου του παντοκρατορος]
Some take this to be war between nations, like Mark 13:8, but it is more likely war against God (Psalm 2:2) and probably the battle pictured in Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19. Cf. 2 Peter 3:12, “the day of God,” his reckoning with the nations. See Joel 2:11; Joel 3:4. Paul uses “that day” for the day of the Lord Jesus (the Parousia) as in 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philemon 1:6; Philemon 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
Revelation 17:2 The kings of the earth [οι βασιλεις της γης]
Repeated in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 6:15; Revelation 17:18; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:9; Revelation 19:19; Revelation 21:24 and “the kings of the inhabited earth” (Revelation 16:14) either for human rulers in general or the vassal kings absorbed by the Roman Empire. [source]
Revelation 19:21 The rest [οι λοιποι]
Of the enemy (the kings and their hosts of Revelation 19:19). [source]
Revelation 20:8 Which are in the four corners of the earth [τα εν ταις τεσσαρσι γωνιαις της γης]
Clearly the reign with Christ, if on earth, was not shared in by all on earth, for Satan finds a large and ready following on his release. See Revelation 7:1 (Isaiah 11:12) for “the four corners of the earth.”Gog and Magog (τον Γωγ και Μαγωγ — ton Gōg kai Magōg). Accusative in explanatory apposition with τα ετνη — ta ethnē (the nations). Magog is first mentioned in Genesis 10:2. The reference here seems to be Ezekiel 38:2, where both are mentioned. Josephus (Ant. I. 6. 1) identifies Magog with the Scythians, with Gog as their prince. In the rabbinical writings Gog and Magog appear as the enemies of the Messiah. Some early Christian writers thought of the Goths and Huns, but Augustine refuses to narrow the imagery and sees only the final protest of the world against Christianity.To gather them together to the war Second aorist active infinitive of purpose of συναγω — sunagō a congenial task for Satan after his confinement. See Revelation 16:14 for this very phrase and also Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19.Of whom (ωναυτων — hōn- ως η αμμος της ταλασσης — autōn). Pleonasm or redundant pronoun as in Revelation 3:8 and often (of whom - of them).As the sand of the sea Already in Revelation 13:1. Clearly then the millennium, whatever it is, does not mean a period when Satan has no following on earth, for this vast host rallies at once to his standard. [source]
Revelation 20:8 To gather them together to the war [συναγαγειν αυτους εις τον πολεμον]
Second aorist active infinitive of purpose of συναγω — sunagō a congenial task for Satan after his confinement. See Revelation 16:14 for this very phrase and also Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:19.Of whom (ωναυτων — hōn- ως η αμμος της ταλασσης — autōn). Pleonasm or redundant pronoun as in Revelation 3:8 and often (of whom - of them).As the sand of the sea Already in Revelation 13:1. Clearly then the millennium, whatever it is, does not mean a period when Satan has no following on earth, for this vast host rallies at once to his standard. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 19:19 mean?

And I saw the beast the kings of the earth the armies of them having been gathered together to make - war with the [One] sitting on the horse the army of Him
Καὶ εἶδον τὸ θηρίον τοὺς βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς τὰ στρατεύματα αὐτῶν συνηγμένα ποιῆσαι τὸν πόλεμον μετὰ τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ ἵππου τοῦ στρατεύματος αὐτοῦ

εἶδον  I  saw 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
θηρίον  beast 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: θηρίον  
Sense: an animal.
βασιλεῖς  kings 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: βασιλεύς  
Sense: leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γῆς  earth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
στρατεύματα  armies 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: στράτευμα  
Sense: an army.
αὐτῶν  of  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
συνηγμένα  having  been  gathered  together 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: συνάγω  
Sense: to gather together, to gather.
ποιῆσαι  to  make 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πόλεμον  war 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: πόλεμος  
Sense: a war.
τοῦ  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
καθημένου  sitting 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κάθημαι  
Sense: to sit down, seat one’s self.
ἵππου  horse 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἵππος  
Sense: a horse.
στρατεύματος  army 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: στράτευμα  
Sense: an army.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.