Great Supper
In Revelation 19 there are two suppers; this article discusses the great supper of God. The other was in verse 9, the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references I mention.
If you do not have a Bible, I recommend Biblegateway.com or search for an online Bible.
17. To us this sounds impossible, standing in the sun but remember this is an angel seen by John.
This is so everyone will see the angel. He has a proclamation for those on the earth to hear.
The angel cried in a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven,
Why would the angel speak to the birds?
The angel was calling them to eat.
“The banquet celebrates victory over the nations and over death and chaos.” (Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. [Nashville: B&H, 1998], 356)
Luke 17:37 Isaiah 18:6 Jeremiah 7:33 Ezekiel 39:17-20
Supper is Served!
18. Think about what your children ask when their hungry.
The obvious question is: what is for supper?
Well, here is the menu for supper!
Read it in verse 18.
Sort of gruesome, isn’t it?
“If there is one passage of Scripture which is revolting to read, this is it.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: Nashville: [Thomas Nelson, 1983], 1051)
“It is an important fact to consider that every year millions of birds of many species migrate south from Europe to Africa. They fly over the land of Israel on their journey.” (MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 12-22. [Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2000], 222)
From McGee: “my friend, it is frightful to rebel against God because He is going to judge you someday. This scene reveals the heart of man and how dreadful that heart really is.” (1051)
Antichrist
19. MacArthur clarifies:
“The beast is Antichrist (11:7; 13:1-8)…
The kings of the earth are the ten kings…(17:12-14).” (224)
The antichrist and his armies are going against Jesus
(Revelation 19:11; 14; Zechariah 14:5; Revelation 1:7 )
20. The beast and the false prophet were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Armageddon “never really materializes.” (Easley, 357)
The false prophet wrought miracles before him (beasts).
The false prophet deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.
He had led “them into greater and greater hatred against God (12:16-17).” (Easley, 357)
“They have the questionable distinction of being the first two cast into hell.” (McGee, 1051)
Matthew 25:41 Isaiah 66:24 Mark 9:48 Matthew 13:42 Revelation 14:11
Are you destined to go to hell?
Accept Jesus to prevent going to hell.
21. Those left were killed by Jesus with the sword from His mouth.
See discussion for verse 15 in the article about the White Horse Jesus is ridding.
“They were killed with the sword that came out of the King’s mouth. This symbolizes that his power alone won the final victory.” [NIV] (Easley, 357)
“His Word is like a sword.” (McGee, 1052) Hebrews 4:12
“In the end, the whole world will be divided into two groups: the Lamb’s armies and the beast’s armies. Only one group will survive. The rest will become bird food.” (Easley, 357)
All the fowls were filled with their flesh.
We have all seen birds eating what I call “roadkill.” Something that was killed and left to die. Raptors are one species of these birds.
God is feeding the birds!
References
Unless otherwise noted; Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version
In this article Scripture quotations taken from the NIV. Copyright by Biblica, Inc.®
Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. Nashville: B&H, 1998
MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 12-22. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2000
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
