ISB ~ Revelation 19 v17 - 21

Jesus condemns his enemies to a dreadful destiny. The judgment in question is spiritual, leading to the eternal lake of fire, though it is possible that historical events of the first century lie in the background. For instance, the overthrow of the beast may be linked to the suicide of Nero in A.D. 68. Not only was his name the number of the beast (note on Rev 13:18), but he had waged a violent war against the Church (11:7; 13:7). Likewise, the judgment of the false prophet may be linked to the massacre of Judea’s religious leadership in the first Jewish revolt against Rome (A.D. 67 to 70). So understood, this is a vision of divine punishment being imposed on the first persecutors of Christianity. Ultimately, however, it foreshadows the final battle of history, when Christ returns and destroys the powers of evil once and for all (20:710; 2 Thess 1:5-10; 2:1-12).

• The imagery of the great supper comes from the apocalyptic war scenes of Ezek 38-39. After the Lord destroys those who assault his people, birds are invited to gorge themselves on the flesh and blood of fallen enemies strewn across the battlefield (Ezek 39:17-20).