About Revelation

Revelation unveils the ultimate victory of Christ over evil, the final judgment, and the glorious future awaiting believers in the new heaven and new earth.

Author: John the ApostleWritten: c. AD 95Reading time: ~3 minVerses: 21
Return of ChristJudgmentVictoryWorshipNew CreationPerseverance

King James Version

Revelation 19

21 verses with commentary

Hallelujah! Salvation and Glory

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Gre...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

XIX. THE CHORUS OF THE HEAVENLY MULTITUDE REJOICING OVER HER FALL. (1-3) **And after these things I heard . . .**—Or, I *heard, as it were, a mighty voice of a great multitude in the heaven, saying.* The saints who were bidden in the last chapter to rejoice are now heard raising their songs as in one great voice of praise. The song is as follows:— Alleluia! The salvation, and the glory, and the po...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 3 Re 3:1-22. The Epistles to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. **1. Sardis--**the ancient capital of Lydia, the kingdom of wealthy Croesus, on the river Pactolus. The address to this Church is full of rebuke. It does not seem to have been in vain; for Melito, bishop of Sardis in the second century, was eminent for piety and learning. He visited Palestine to assure himself and his flock ...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions an...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. how thou hast received--**(Col 2:6; 1Th 4:1; 1Ti 6:20). What Sardis is to "remember" is, not how joyfully she had received originally the Gospel message, but how the precious deposit was committed to her originally, so that she could not say, she had not "received and heard" it. The Greek is not aorist (as in Re 2:4, as to Ephesus, "Thou didst leave thy first love"), but "thou hast received" ...
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And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophetic literature...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. The three oldest manuscripts prefix "but," or "nevertheless" (notwithstanding thy spiritual deadness), and omit "even." **names--**persons named in the book of life (Re 3:5) known by name by the Lord as His own. These had the reality corresponding to their name; not a mere name among men as living, while really dead (Re 3:1). The gracious Lord does not overlook any exceptional cases of real s...
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And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalypti...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **And the** **four and twenty . . .**—The twenty-four elders, the representatives of the Church, and the four living beings, the representatives of nature, fell down and worshipped God who sitteth (not “sat,” as in the English version) on the throne. These, too, join in the chorus of praise.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**5. white--**not a dull white, but glittering, dazzling white [Grotius]. Compare Mt 13:43. The body transfigured into the likeness of Christ's body, and emitting beams of light reflected from Him, is probably the "white raiment" promised here. **the same--**Greek, "THIS man"; he and he alone. So one oldest manuscript reads. But two oldest manuscripts, and most of the ancient versions, "shall TH...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic l...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5-7) **And a voice came.**—From the direction of the throne there came a voice bidding all God’s servants rejoice. We are not told whose voice it is. Some have assumed that it is Christ’s: it is better to leave it indefinite. In response to the bidding, the voice of praise is heard (like the voice spoken of in Revelation 14:2), as it were, the voice of a great multitude; and, as it were, the voic...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

6. (See on Re 2:7.)

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

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, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions an...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. Philadelphia--**in Lydia, twenty-eight miles southeast of Sardis, built by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamos, who died A.D. 138. It was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in the reign of Tiberius [Tacitus, Annals, 2.47]. The connection of this Church with Jews there causes the address to it to have an Old Testament coloring in the images employed. It and Smyrna alone of the seven receive ...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalypti...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8. I have set--**Greek, "given": it is My gracious gift to thee. **open door--**for evangelization; a door of spiritual usefulness. The opening of a door by Him to the Philadelphian Church accords with the previous assignation to Him of "the key of David." **and--**The three oldest manuscripts, A, B, C, and Origen read, "which no man can shut." **for--**"because." **a little--**This give...
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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. white: or, bright

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apoca...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **And to her was** **granted . . .**—Better, *And it was given to her that she should be clothed in fine linen, bright, pure; for the fine linen is the righteousness* (or, *righteousnesses;* the word is plural) *of the saints.* This verse is not to be taken as part of the song. The song closes with the announcement that the Lamb’s wife has made herself ready. Then follows the explanation of th...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**9. I will make--**Greek present, "I make," literally, "I give" (see on Re 3:8). The promise to Philadelphia is larger than that to Smyrna. To Smyrna the promise was that "the synagogue of Satan" should not prevail against the faithful in her: to Philadelphia, that she should even win over some of "the synagogue of Satan" to fall on their faces and confess God is in her of a truth. Translate, "(s...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Gr...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **And he saith unto me . . .**—Who is the speaker? The general and simplest opinion is that it is the angel mentioned in Revelation 17:1 who speaks. The speaker bids the seer *write: “*Blessed are they who are bidden to the supper of the marriage of the Lamb.” This is one of the six benedictions of the Apocalypse (Rev. Revelation 1:3; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:7; Revelat...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. patience--**"endurance." "The word of My endurance" is My Gospel word, which teaches patient endurance in expectation of my coming (Re 1:9). My endurance is the endurance which I require, and which I practice. Christ Himself now endures, patiently waiting until the usurper be cast out, and all "His enemies be made His footstool." So, too, His Church, for the joy before her of sharing His com...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testa...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **And I fell at his feet . . .**—The impulse to worship the messenger who had unfolded such visions was not unnatural: the immediate checking of it here and in Revelation 22:8-9, on the part of the angel, supplies an indirect evidence of the genuineness of the whole book, and gives it a moral tone immeasurably superior to the vision-books of pretended revelations. *And he saith to me, See* (o...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. Behold--**omitted by the three oldest manuscripts and most ancient versions. **I come quickly--**the great incentive to persevering faithfulness, and the consolation under present trials. **that ... which thou hast--**"The word of my patience," or "endurance" (Re 3:10), which He had just commended them for keeping, and which involved with it the attaining of the kingdom; this they would ...
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The Rider on the White Horse

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **And I saw heaven opened . . .**—Better, *And I saw the heaven opened* (not “opening,” but set open, already opened, as in Revelation 4:1), *and behold a white horse, and *(*behold*)* one that sitteth upon him called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judgeth and warreth.* The description reminds us of the opening of the first seal. Again we have the white horse, and the rider. That ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. pillar in the temple--**In one sense there shall be "no temple" in the heavenly city because there shall be no distinction of things into sacred and secular, for all things and persons shall be holy to the Lord. The city shall be all one great temple, in which the saints shall be not merely stones, as m the spiritual temple now on earth, but all eminent as pillars: immovably firm (unlike Phi...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalypt...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12, 13) **His eyes were as a flame . . .**—Or, rather, *And His eyes are *(*as*)* a flame of fire, and upon His head many diadems*—(*He*)* having names written, and a name written which no one knows but He Himself*—*and clothed in a vesture dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.* On the description here and in Revelation 19:5, comp. Notes on Revelation 1:14-16. There is no doubt...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. (See on Re 2:7).

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

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish p...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. Laodiceans--**The city was in the southwest of Phrygia, on the river Lycus, not far from Colosse, and lying between it and Philadelphia. It was destroyed by an earthquake, A.D. 62, and rebuilt by its wealthy citizens without the help of the state [Tacitus, Annals, 14.27]. This wealth (arising from the excellence of its wools) led to a self-satisfied, lukewarm state in spiritual things, as Re...
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And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language character...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **And the armies . . .**—The words “which were” should be omitted. *The armies in heaven followed Him.* Some would limit these to angels. The apparel which they wear—the fine linen (*byssus*) “which is the righteousness of saints” (see Revelation 19:8)—is conclusive against this limited view. The saints who have fought the good fight here, and who loved not their lives unto the death, will sh...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**15. neither cold--**The antithesis to "hot," literally, "boiling" ("fervent," Ac 18:25; Ro 12:11; compare So 8:6; Lu 24:32), requires that "cold" should here mean more than negatively cold; it is rather, positively icy cold: having never yet been warmed. The Laodiceans were in spiritual things cold comparatively, but not cold as the world outside, and as those who had never belonged to the Churc...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testa...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **And out of his mouth . . .**—Translate, *And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with* (literally, *in*)* it He may smite the nations: and He *(*Himself*)* shall shepherd them with* (literally, *in*)* a rod of iron: and He *(*Himself*)* treadeth the winepress of the wine of the wrath of the anger of God the All ruler.* The sharp sword is the same that we have read of before (Revelati...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16. neither cold nor hot--**So one oldest manuscript, B, and Vulgate read. But two oldest manuscripts, Syriac, and Coptic transpose thus, "hot nor cold." It is remarkable that the Greek adjectives are in the masculine, agreeing with the angel, not feminine, agreeing with the Church. The Lord addresses the angel as the embodiment and representative of the Church. The chief minister is answerable ...
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And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewis...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **And he hath on his vesture . . .**—The King rides at the head of His host. On His robe, where it spreads out from the waist, His title is inscribed; it proclaims Him to be the one who is the true supreme King of all. Inscriptions on the outer garments were sometimes used by distinguished personages. The title anticipates the final victory; His power is irresistible, his Kingship is universa...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17. Self-sufficiency is the fatal danger of a lukewarm state (see on Re 3:15). **thou sayest--**virtually and mentally, if not in so many words. **increased with goods--**Greek, "have become enriched," implying self-praise in self-acquired riches. The Lord alludes to Ho 12:8. The riches on which they prided themselves were spiritual riches; though, doubtless, their spiritual self-sufficiency (...
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The Great Supper of God

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;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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;...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testame...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. Gentle and loving irony. Take My advice, thou who fanciest thyself in need of nothing. Not only art thou not in need of nothing, but art in need of the commonest necessaries of existence. He graciously stoops to their modes of thought and speech: Thou art a people ready to listen to any counsel as to how to buy to advantage; then, listen to My counsel (for I am "Counsellor," Is 9:6), buy of Me...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

The angel's call to fowls for the 'supper of the great God' presents gruesome battlefield imagery—vultures consuming fallen warriors' flesh. This contrasts the marriage supper of the Lamb (v. 9), showing two eternal destinies. The comprehensive list—kings, captains, mighty men, horses, riders, free, bond, small, great—emphasizes that judgment respects no earthly status. All who oppose Christ face ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19. (Job 5:17; Pr 3:11, 12; He 12:5, 6.) So in the case of Manasseh (2Ch 33:11-13). **As many--**All. "He scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. And shalt thou be an exception? If excepted from suffering the scourge, thou art excepted from the number of the sons" [Augustine]. This is an encouragement to Laodicea not to despair, but to regard the rebuke as a token for good, if she profit by it. ...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20. stand--**waiting in wonderful condescension and long-suffering. **knock--**(So 5:2). This is a further manifestation of His loving desire for the sinner's salvation. He who is Himself "the Door," and who bids us "knock" that it may be "opened unto" us, is first Himself to knock at the door of our hearts. If He did not knock first, we should never come to knock at His door. Compare So 5:4-6...
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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 lake of fire burning with brimstone.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testa...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**21. sit with me in my throne--**(Re 2:26, 27; 20:6; Mt 19:28; 20:23; Joh 17:22, 24; 2Ti 2:12). The same whom Christ had just before threatened to spue out of His mouth, is now offered a seat with Him on His throne! "The highest place is within reach of the lowest; the faintest spark of grace may be fanned into the mightiest flame of love" [Trench]. **even as I also--**Two thrones are here ment...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of hallelujah chorus, marriage supper, christ's return - final victory, word of god rides forth employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. Th...
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