Revelation 19:21 - Defeat of the Beast and False Prophet
And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse.
This phrase depicts the finality of Christ's victory over His enemies. The "sword" symbolizes the power and authority of Christ's word, as seen in Hebrews 4:12, where the word of God is described as sharper than any two-edged sword. The imagery of a sword proceeding from the mouth emphasizes that Christ's judgment is executed through His spoken word, reflecting the power of divine truth and justice. The "One seated on the horse" refers to Jesus Christ, depicted earlier in Revelation 19:11-16 as the Faithful and True, who judges and wages war in righteousness. This scene fulfills prophecies such as Isaiah 11:4, where the Messiah strikes the earth with the rod of His mouth. The destruction of the wicked is not through physical warfare but through the authoritative declaration of Christ, highlighting His sovereign power.
And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
This graphic imagery is a continuation of the judgment theme, echoing the prophetic language found in Ezekiel 39:17-20, where birds and beasts are invited to feast on the flesh of the defeated enemies of God. It symbolizes the complete and utter defeat of those who oppose God, leaving nothing behind. The birds gorging themselves signify the totality of the judgment and the shame of the defeated, as being left unburied was considered a disgrace in ancient cultures. This scene underscores the finality of God's judgment and the futility of resisting His will. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God and the ultimate triumph of His righteousness.
Persons / Places / Events
1. The One Seated on the Horse
This refers to Jesus Christ, depicted as a victorious warrior. He is the central figure in this passage, executing divine judgment.
2. The Sword from His Mouth
Symbolizes the power and authority of Christ's word. It is not a literal sword but represents the truth and judgment that come from His spoken word.
3. The Rest
These are the enemies of God who have gathered against Him. They represent those who have rejected Christ and are opposed to His kingdom.
4. The Birds
These are symbolic of the complete and utter defeat of God's enemies. They are called to feast on the flesh of those who have been judged, indicating the finality of God's victory.
5. The Event of Judgment
This is part of the eschatological (end times) events described in Revelation, where Christ returns to establish His kingdom and execute judgment on the wicked.
Teaching Points
The Power of Christ's Word
Christ's word is authoritative and powerful, capable of executing judgment. Believers should trust in the power of His word in their lives.
The Reality of Divine Judgment
This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of divine judgment. It calls believers to live in a way that honors God and to share the gospel with others.
The Finality of God's Victory
The imagery of the birds gorging on flesh signifies the complete and final victory of Christ over evil. Believers can find hope and assurance in the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
The Urgency of Repentance
Knowing the certainty of judgment should motivate individuals to repent and turn to Christ, embracing His grace and salvation.
Verse 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. The remnant; that is, the adherents of the beast, the "armies" of ver. 19. (For this description of Christ, see vers. 11, 15.) Spiritual death is inflicted upon those who have proved themselves hostile to God. The last sentence emphasizes the nature of the punishment by the reference to the indignity offered to their bodies after death.
Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
rest
λοιποὶ (loipoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3062: Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.
were killed
ἀπεκτάνθησαν (apektanthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 615: To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.
with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
sword
ῥομφαίᾳ (rhomphaia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4501: A sword, scimitar; fig: war, piercing grief. Probably of foreign origin; a sabre, i.e. A long and broad cutlass.
that
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
proceeded
ἐξελθούσῃ (exelthousē)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.
from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.
[the]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
mouth
στόματος (stomatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750: The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.
of the [One]
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
seated
καθημένου (kathēmenou)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.
on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.
the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
horse.
ἵππου (hippou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2462: A horse. Of uncertain affinity; a horse.
And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
all
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.
the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
birds
ὄρνεα (ornea)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3732: A bird, fowl. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ornis; a birdling.
gorged themselves
ἐχορτάσθησαν (echortasthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5526: To feed, satisfy, fatten. From chortos; to fodder, i.e. to gorge.
on
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.
their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
flesh.
σαρκῶν (sarkōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.
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Revelation 19:21 Catholic BibleNT Prophecy: Revelation 19:21 The rest were killed with the sword (Rev. Re Apocalypse)