Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Revelations Ch.19 / 22 Ch.s
RE:19
* The church in heaven and that on earth triumph, and praise the
Lord for his righteous judgments. (1-10) A vision of Christ
going forth to destroy the beast and his armies. (11-21)
#1-10 Praising God for what we have, is praying for what is yet
further to be done for us. There is harmony between the angels
and the saints in this triumphant song. Christ is the Bridegroom
of his ransomed church. This second union will be completed in
heaven; but the beginning of the glorious millennium (by which
is meant a reign of Christ, or a state of happiness, for a
thousand years on earth) may be considered as the celebration of
his espousals on earth. Then the church of Christ, being
purified from errors, divisions, and corruptions, in doctrine,
discipline, worship, and practice, will be made ready to be
publicly owned by him as his delight and his beloved. The church
appeared; not in the gay, gaudy dress of the mother of harlots,
but in fine linen, clean and white. In the robes of Christ's
righteousness, imputed for justification, and imparted for
sanctification. The promises of the gospel, the true sayings of
God, opened, applied, and sealed by the Spirit of God, in holy
ordinances, are the marriage-feast. This seems to refer to the
abundant grace and consolation Christians will receive in the
happy days which are to come. The apostle offered honour to the
angel. The angel refused it. He directed the apostle to the true
and only object of religious worship; to worship God, and him
alone. This plainly condemns the practice of those who worship
the elements of bread and wine, and saints, and angels; and of
those who do not believe that Christ is truly and by nature God,
yet pay him a sort of worship. They stand convicted of idolatry
by a messenger from heaven. These are the true sayings of God;
of Him who is to be worshipped, as one with the Father and the
Holy Spirit.
#11-21 Christ, the glorious Head of the church, is described as
on a white horse, the emblem of justice and holiness. He has
many crowns, for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is
arrayed in a vesture dipped in his own blood, by which he
purchased his power as Mediator; and in the blood of his
enemies, over whom he always prevails. His name is "The Word of
God;" a name none fully knows but himself; only this we know,
that this Word was God manifest in the flesh; but his
perfections cannot be fully understood by any creature. Angels
and saints follow, and are like Christ in their armour of purity
and righteousness. The threatenings of the written word he is
going to execute on his enemies. The ensigns of his authority
are his name; asserting his authority and power, warning the
most powerful princes to submit, or they must fall before him.
The powers of earth and hell make their utmost effort. These
verses declare important events, foretold by the prophets. These
persons were not excused because they did what their leaders
bade them. How vain will be the plea of many sinners at the
great day! We followed our guides; we did as we saw others do!
God has given a rule to walk by, in his word; neither the
example of the most, nor of the chief, must influence us
contrary thereto: if we do as the most do, we must go where the
most go, even into the burning lake.