Bible Commentaries

Revelation 19:2

The real force of demonstration for Girolamo Savonarola lay in his own burning indignation at the sight of wrong; in his fervent belief in an Unseen Justice that would put an end to the wrong, and in an Unseen Purity to which lying and uncleanness were an abomination. To his ardent, power-loving soul, believing in great ends, and longing to achieve those ends by the exertion of its own strong will, the faith in a supreme and righteous Ruler became one with the faith in a speedy Divine interposition that would punish and reclaim.

—George Eliot, in Romola.

References.—XIX:3.—F. E. Paget, Helps and Hindrances to the Christian Life, p177. XIX:4.—F. S. Bartlett, Sermons, p296.

Revelation 19:5

A very dear and saintly person, years ago called home, once in my hearing exulted at this appearance of the small number that fear God: viewing it as a vast encouragement. Even they will be there, not on sufferance, but taken account of, brought forward, called upon to enhance the acceptable rapture.

—C. G. Rossetti

References.—XIX:5.—J. Keble, Sermons for the Saints" Days, p453. XIX:6.—E. H. Eland, Christian World Pulpit, vol. liii. p294. XIX:7-8.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxxv. No2096. XIX:8.—H. Howard, The Raiment of the Soul, p1. XIX:9.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xli. No2428. Expositor (6th Series), vol. x. p179. XIX:10.—J. Smith, The Integrity of Scripture, p193. XIX:11.—H. M. Butler, Harrow School Sermons (2Series), p266. C. A. Scott, The Book of Revelation 19:11-14

A battle is constantly going on, in which the humblest human creature is not incapable of taking some part, between the powers of good and those of evil, and in which every, even the smallest, help to the right side has its value in promoting the very slow and often almost insensible progress by which good is gradually gaining ground from evil, yet gaining it so visibly at considerable intervals as to promise the very distant, but not uncertain final victory of God. To do something during life, on even the humblest scale, if nothing more is within reach, towards bringing this consummation ever so little nearer, is the most animating and invigorating thought which can inspire a human creature.

—J. S. Mill, at the close of his Three Essays on Religion.

References.—XIX:12.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. v. No281. XIX:13.—F. T. Bassett, Christ in Eternity and Time, p98. Expositor (4th Series), vol. vi. p67; ibid. vol. vii. p99.

Revelation 19:14

Compare the use made of this verse by Mr. Shorthouse at the close of Sir Percival.

References.—XIX:16.—W. Gladden, Christian World Pulpit, vol. lvi. p27. XIX:20.—F. T. Bassett, Things That Must Be, p51. Expositor (4th Series), vol. ii. p292. XX:1-9.—E. T. J. Marriner, Sermons Preached at Lyme Regis, p39. XX:4-6.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. vii. No391.