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Revelation 19:17

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And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

And {G2532} I saw {G1492} an {G1520} angel {G32} standing {G2476} in {G1722} the sun {G2246}; and {G2532} he cried {G2896} with a loud {G3173} voice {G5456}, saying {G3004} to all {G3956} the fowls {G3732} that fly {G4072} in {G1722} the midst of heaven {G3321}, Come {G1205} and {G2532} gather yourselves together {G4863} unto {G1519} the supper {G1173} of the great {G3173} God {G2316};

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds that fly about in mid-heaven, “Come, gather together for the great feast God is giving,

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God;

Commentary

This verse presents a striking and somber image within the book of Revelation, contrasting sharply with the joyful anticipation described earlier in the chapter. It describes a divine summons for judgment.

Context

Revelation chapter 19 depicts the triumphant return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16), following the celebration of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Verse 17 shifts focus dramatically, setting the stage for the decisive battle and the judgment of those who oppose God and His Christ. The angel's cry to the birds of prey signals a grim 'supper' that will follow the impending conflict.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse powerfully illustrates the certainty and scale of God's judgment upon the wicked.
  • Contrast of Suppers: It creates a stark contrast between the blessed Marriage Supper for the faithful and this horrifying 'supper' of judgment for the ungodly, served to scavenging birds.
  • Preparation for Final Battle: The summons to the fowls signifies the imminent destruction of the armies gathered against Christ (Revelation 19:19).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "supper" here is deipnon, the same word used for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This deliberate repetition underscores the dramatic and terrifying contrast between the destiny of the redeemed and the destiny of those judged. The phrase "the supper of the great God" emphasizes that this judgment is orchestrated by God Himself in His ultimate power and sovereignty.

Reflection

Revelation 19:17 serves as a solemn warning about the consequences of rejecting God's authority and opposing His Son. It highlights the absolute certainty of divine justice. For believers, it reinforces the blessedness of being counted among those invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, a destiny secured not by merit but by grace through faith in Christ. This verse compels us to consider the final outcome of history and the critical importance of choosing to align with God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 19:21 (8 votes)

    And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

  • Revelation 8:13 (6 votes)

    And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

  • Ezekiel 39:17 (5 votes)

    And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, [even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

  • Ezekiel 39:20 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Jeremiah 12:9 (5 votes)

    Mine heritage [is] unto me [as] a speckled bird, the birds round about [are] against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

  • Isaiah 56:9 (3 votes)

    ¶ All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, [yea], all ye beasts in the forest.

  • Isaiah 34:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.