ACC ~ Revelation 19 v17 - 18

TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE. OECUMENIUS: “That you might,” it says, “eat the flesh of kings.” The delight over the death of one’s enemies is called “food.” Similarly, the Lord also speaks of joy [as food] when he says to his disciples and apostles, “I have food to eat which you do not know.”In this way he calls “food” that delight that will come to those who believe. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 19.17-21.

THE NATIONS BECOME THE BODY OF CHRIST. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: We know that this in fact happens in the church. For when all nations are incorporated in the church, they are spiritually devoured. Indeed, those who have been devoured by the devil become the body of the devil, while those who have been received by the church are made to be members of Christ. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 19.17-18, HOMILY 17.

THROUGH OUR WORKS WE DESIRE THE KINGDOM OR TORMENT. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: That will of God is to be regarded as foremost which is called both his “good pleasure” and the supper most desired by him, namely, that “people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” and that they turn and live. But second, it is his will that those who have trusted in themselves suffer punishment. Therefore, Christ said that his food was the will of the Father.In this passage he calls this the “supper of God,” since each of those who are present desired through their works either the supper of the kingdom or the supper of torment. Through the eating of flesh it indicates the destruction of everything fleshly and the end of kings and rulers on the earth. It mentions horses, not because they will rise again, but through them it signifies either the excessive desire for women or those who have submitted to evil, or perhaps both. In the riders it symbolizes those who are especially wicked. A little further on it further clarifies, saying, “both free and slave, both great and small.” By the free and great it refers to those who sinned freely and willingly, and by the slave and small it indicates those who transgressed in a lesser manner, either because of their intent or because of their age or because of weakness. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 19.17-18.

THE FAITHFUL WILL EAT THEIR FILL. BEDE: “Come,” it says, “you who hunger and thirst for righteousness, to the supper of the kingdom that is to come, when the anger of the proud has been suppressed and you will eat your fill of the light of the divine righteousness.” EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 19.18.

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