PONDERING... Supper Two: Feasted On/Sin is Serious (Revelation 19:11-21)

Supper Two: Feasted On

GIST: Sin will be destroyed. This is not a minor issue. We need to remember this in light of Jesus’ person, purpose, and promise.

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 19: 11-21

Last week, we looked at what I called the first of two suppers in Revelation 19. It was the marriage supper of the Lamb, and it provided a beautiful picture of what life in Heaven will be like for those saved by grace. Today, we’re going to look at another supper. It’s not a pretty picture, but one that takes the seriousness of sin and throw it into the light. This passage can be bothersome. Let it be. Sin is not just a light issue, and too often we take it as such. It is destructive and condemning, and must be destroyed. We need to remember this in light of Jesus’ person, purpose, and promise.

1. His Person

We have to remember Jesus’ holiness.

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True,

Unlike in chapter 6 when we see one riding on a white horse in vain pursuits, Jesus is portrayed as the triumphant king who is both Faithful and True. What victory has He won? He defeated sin. Why? For us. He didn’t gain anything from this battle. We have to remember that.

and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

As only He can.

12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

These are all reminiscent of images we’ve seen before. His purifying and all seeing eyes, His power and majesty, His mystery and holiness (that is, He is beyond us because He is God). Yet, in all this, He is coming down to us.

13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood,

There are two views here. Some say this is a picture of His blood shed for us. Others interpret this as the blood of His victims, those who will be punished in the following verses. I do not know which is intended. However, it is because of the shed blood that we can be spared the punishment for sin we deserve. We must keep this in view.

and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

Jesus is the Word of God. He is God’s message to the world. And it is through this message, which we are called to bear, that the world is judged, because this message reveals sin for what it is and points to our salvation. If you hear this and still choose to reject Him, you are judged by the Word you know.

14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.

Here we have Christians, purified and triumphant. Why? Because they are following Him.

2. His Purpose

15 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. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Again, it is the Word of God which both saves and condemns because it reveals truth. This, with the rod of iron imagery, echo Old Testament passages on judgement (Isa. 49:2; 11:4; and Ps. 2:9). Furthermore, the word rule here is the same word used to mean shepherd. Consider the implication. God is the good shepherd whose rod is and staff comfort His sheep (Psalm 23). However, wolves that try to come and attack the sheep feel differently about the rod. No matter the strength of the foe, He will punish them in just wrath because He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God,18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”

And here’s the other feast. It’s not a pretty picture. Sam Storm points out, “The picture of vultures or other birds of prey feasting on the flesh of unburied corpses killed in battle (see also Rev. 19:21b) was a familiar one to people in the OT (cf. Deut. 28:26; 1 Sam. 17:44-46; 1 Kings 14:11; 16:4; 21:24; 2 Kings 9:10; Jer. 7:33; 15:3; 16:4; 19:7; 34:20; Ezek. 29:5).” Nonetheless, it’s a startling image. Why? Because we don’t want to think about judgement like this. We want to think that sin can be sort of ignored, or we can get a slap on the wrist or something, but not this, not wrath. When I share the gospel with people, this is the point that most often gets push back. Conversations often follow this pattern:

Do you believe Jesus is God? Yes

Do you believe you’re a sinner? Yes

Do you believe you deserve to go to Hell? No.

We know we’re sinners, but don’t want to face the consequences of those sins.

3. His Promise

19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 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. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

Wait, is this a promise? It’s the fulfillment of one. Why did Jesus come? “29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) The false prophet and the beast and those who followed them (and then later we’ll see Satan himself) are thrown into Hell. Sin is defeated.

Jesus came and died for this purpose. It is no light matter. How seriously do you take it?