Monday, September 07, 2020

Revelation 19:14 (Ian Paul Observations)

"The armies of heaven share with the rider the elite status of riding on white  horses. This army could consist of the redeemed who follow the lamb (14:4), are implicitly described as an army in their numbering 144,000 (see comment on 7:5), and as the bride of the lamb are dressed in fine linen, white and clean earlier in 19:8. It could consist of the angels, who are also dressed in white linen and are involved in the war which effects [sic] the victory of the male son in 12:7 – or it could consist of both together, since they are identified implicitly by their  shared devotion to God in worship (5:11; and see comment on 7:11) and explicitly by the angel’s rebuke of John in 19:10. This army is in striking contrast both to the armies of the fifth and sixth seals (9:1–19), with the detailed description of their armour and weapons, and to armies in the real world of the first century. The armies of heaven need no armour, since their protection comes solely from their purity and righteous deeds; and they have no need of weapons, since the victory in which they participate is won by Jesus alone (see comment on v. 19 below)."

Ian Paul, Revelation (Tyndale NTC), page 436.

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