Reading for May 13th

THE FINAL BATTLE In 19.11-20.10: This is the climax of the third story, where the war launched by the dragon at 12.17 comes to its devasting conclusion. Still, the sequence is complex and unexpected: After the introduction of the heavenly warrior, the final battle is reported, followed by a thousand-year reign of peace, then anew battle. Read Revelation 19.11-16 In 19.11-16: The heavenly warrior. The heaven opened or the sky opened. The white horse symbolizes victory, but with nearly the opposite meaning as the white horde at 6.2. There the meaning was the one who starts wars; here the victory ends war. Elements of the description were used earlier: Faithful and True are the names connected with the death of Jesus at 3.14. In verse 12: Eyes like a flame and the sword remind us of the exalted human of the opening vision (1.14). In verses 13-16:The robe dipped in blood and the wine press echoes the judgment scene at 14.20. The rod of iron was the mark of the woman's son (see 12.5). The name no one knows signals the person is beyond ordinary understanding (see 2.170. The word of God is the third name given this figure, and the most revealing; it is connected with the image of the sword that comes from his mouth, for this ishow the victory over evil will be won; by the word (19.21). Comments or Questions..