And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Read it in contextThe rider and the battle
Start reading at Revelation 19:11 (Revelation 19:11 to Revelation 19:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The heavenly rider appears, and the beast and its allies are defeated, carrying the judgment visions toward the final scenes of chapter 20.
19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
19:12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
19:13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
19:14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
19:15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
19:17And 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;
19:18That 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.
19:19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
19:20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
19:21And 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.
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Who
Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 19:1–20:15): John sees heavenly praise, the victorious rider and armies, the defeat of enemies, and judgment of the dead. The churches receive these visions through his testimony. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The rider and the battle. Read Revelation 19:11 through Revelation 19:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The heavenly rider appears, and the beast and its allies are defeated, carrying the judgment visions toward the final scenes of chapter 20. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? John describes receiving the revelation and being in the Spirit on the Lord's day. The book does not state a modern calendar date, and the order of visions should not automatically be equated with a settled event timetable. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? John names Patmos and addresses seven churches in Asia. The visions portray earthly and heavenly scenes that must be distinguished from his stated location. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The rider and the battle (Revelation 19:11 to Revelation 19:21).
Start reading at Revelation 19:11. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, His testimony, judgment, and reign are central. Read symbols with their supplied explanations and retain the exhortations to hear, keep, repent, and overcome. See Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Remain faithful in worship and conduct under pressure. Do not turn symbolic visions into confident identifications of modern people, nations, or dates without evidence and explicit labeling as interpretation. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 19
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeHeaven's praise over Babylon's judgment leads to the marriage announcement, while John is directed to worship God rather than the angel.
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly rider appears, and the beast and its allies are defeated, carrying the judgment visions toward the final scenes of chapter 20.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.