Revelation 19:18

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all [men, both] free and bond, both small and great.

That {G2443} ye may eat {G5315} the flesh {G4561} of kings {G935}, and {G2532} the flesh {G4561} of captains {G5506}, and {G2532} the flesh {G4561} of mighty men {G2478}, and {G2532} the flesh {G4561} of horses {G2462}, and {G2532} of them that sit {G2521} on {G1909} them {G846}, and {G2532} the flesh {G4561} of all {G3956} men, both free {G1658} and {G2532} bond {G1401}, both {G2532} small {G3398} and {G2532} great {G3173}.

to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of generals, the flesh of important men, the flesh of horses and their riders and the flesh of all kinds of people, free and slave, small and great!”

so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”

that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.

Revelation 19:18 is part of a stark prophetic vision describing the ultimate divine judgment against those who have opposed God and His Christ at the end of the age. This verse details the grim invitation to all birds of prey to feast on the bodies of the defeated enemies of God, following the climactic battle often referred to as Armageddon.

Context

This verse immediately follows the invitation given by an angel standing in the sun, calling all fowls of the air to gather for the "great supper of God" (Revelation 19:17). This event stands in stark contrast to the blessed marriage supper of the Lamb, which celebrates the union of Christ and His church. Here, the focus is on the devastating consequences for those who rebel against the sovereign rule of God. The scene is set after the glorious appearance of the Rider on the white horse (Jesus Christ), who comes to execute righteous judgment and make war.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse vividly portrays the comprehensive nature of God's wrath against humanity's rebellion. No one is exempt from this ultimate judgment, regardless of their earthly status.
  • Universality of Defeat: The list "kings, and captains, and mighty men... free and bond, both small and great" emphasizes that the judgment is not selective but encompasses all ranks and classes of people who stood in opposition to Christ. This highlights the absolute sovereignty of God over all earthly power.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The imagery of bodies being consumed by birds signifies utter defeat, disgrace, and the complete destruction of those who fought against the Lamb. It underscores the futility of resisting God's ultimate plan and the finality of His judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrase "the flesh of" (Greek: σάρκα, *sarka*) emphasizes the physical and gruesome nature of the judgment. It's a literal depiction of the aftermath of a devastating defeat, where the bodies of the fallen become carrion. This imagery has parallels in Old Testament prophecies, such as in Ezekiel 39:17-20, where birds and beasts are invited to a similar sacrificial feast after God's judgment on Gog.

Practical Application

Revelation 19:18 serves as a powerful reminder of God's absolute justice and the certainty of His final victory over all evil. For believers, it reinforces the importance of allegiance to Christ and offers assurance that God will indeed set all things right. For those who do not acknowledge Christ, it stands as a solemn warning about the severe consequences of rejecting God's authority and choosing to align with systems that oppose Him. It compels every individual to consider their standing before a holy God and to seek reconciliation through Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life to all who believe.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 39:18

    Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.

  • Ezekiel 39:20

    Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Revelation 6:15

    And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

  • Deuteronomy 28:26

    And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray [them] away.

  • Jeremiah 19:7

    And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

  • 1 Samuel 17:46

    This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

  • Jeremiah 7:33

    And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [them] away.

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