Big Idea: Jesus, the Warrior Messiah, will return in power and glory to conquer his enemies.

Understanding the Text

In this passage, God’s final victory over evil continues to unfold (19:6–20:15). After the announcement of the Lamb’s wedding in 19:6–10, we read of Christ’s second coming in 19:11–21. He is portrayed throughout this passage as Warrior, Judge, and King, who returns in glory and power to defeat his enemies and establish his universal reign. The first part of this unit (19:11–16) emphasizes eight attributes and four actions of Jesus, the conquering Christ. In the second half (19:17–21), the epic battle of “Armageddon” occurs (cf. 16:14, 16). This well-advertised battle turns out to be a nonevent. Christ wins merely by showing up and speaking victory (see 19:20a). The two beas…