Rev 19:17-18 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun . A different angel evidently from the one which had before appeared to him. The number of angels that appeared to John, as referred to in this book, was very great, and each one came on a new errand, or with a new message. Every one must be struck with the image here. The description is as simple as it can be; and yet as sublime. The fewest words possible are used; and yet the image is distinct and clear. A heavenly being stands in the blaze of the brightest of the orbs that God permits us here to see--yet not consumed, and himself so bright that he can be distinctly seen amidst the dazzling splendours of that luminary. It is difficult to conceive of an image more sublime than this. Why he has his place in the sun is not stated, for there does not appear to be anything more intended by this than to give grandeur and impressiveness to the scene. And he cried with a loud voice . So that all the fowls of heaven could hear. Saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven . That is, to all the birds of prey--all that feed on flesh--such as hover over a battle-field. Compare Barnes on "Isa 18:6; 56:9" . See also . Come and gather yourselves together . All this imagery is taken from the idea that there would be a great slaughter, and that the bodies of the dead would be left unburied to the birds of prey. Unto the supper of the great God . As if the great God were about to give you a feast: to wit, the carcases of those slain. It is called " his supper" because he gives it; and the image is merely that there would be a great slaughter of his foes, as is specified in the following verse. (b) "Come"

Revelation of John 19:17-18

Verse 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun. A different angel evidently from the one which had before appeared to him. The number of angels that appeared to John, as referred to in this book, was very great, and each one came on a new errand, or with a new message. Every one must be struck with the image here. The description is as simple as it can be; and yet as sublime. The fewest words possible are used; and yet the image is distinct and clear. A heavenly being stands in the blaze of the brightest of the orbs that God permits us here to see--yet not consumed, and himself so bright that he can be distinctly seen amidst the dazzling splendours of that luminary. It is difficult to conceive of an image more sublime than this. Why he has his place in the sun is not stated, for there does not appear to be anything more intended by this than to give grandeur and impressiveness to the scene.

And he cried with a loud voice. So that all the fowls of heaven could hear.

Saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven. That is, to all the birds of prey--all that feed on flesh--such as hover over a battle-field. Compare Barnes on "Isa 18:6; 56:9". See also Jer 7:33, 12:9, Eze 39:4-20.

Come and gather yourselves together. All this imagery is taken from the idea that there would be a great slaughter, and that the bodies of the dead would be left unburied to the birds of prey.

Unto the supper of the great God. As if the great God were about to give you a feast: to wit, the carcases of those slain. It is called "his supper" because he gives it; and the image is merely that there would be a great slaughter of his foes, as is specified in the following verse.

(b) "Come" Eze 39:17-20 Verse 18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings. Of the kings under the control of the beast and the false prophet, Rev 16:14, 17:12-14.

And the flesh of captains. Of those subordinate to kings in command. The Greek word is χιλιαρχων---chiliarchs--denoting captains of a thousand, or, as we should say, commanders of a regiment. The word colonel would better convey the idea with us; as he is the commander of a regiment, and a regiment is usually composed of about a thousand men.

And the flesh of mighty men. The word here means strong, and the reference is to the robust soldiery--rank and file in the army.

And the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them. Cavalry --for most armies are composed in part of horsemen.

And the flesh of all men, both free and bond. Freemen and slaves. It is not uncommon that freemen and slaves are mingled in the same army. This was the case in the American Revolution, and is common in the East.

Both small and great. Young and old; of small size and of great size; of those of humble, and those of exalted rank. The later armies of Napoleon were composed in great part of conscripts, many of whom were only about eighteen years of age, and to this circumstance many of his later defeats are to be traced. In the army that was raised after the invasion of Russia, no less than one hundred and fifty thousand of the conscripts were between eighteen and nineteen years of age.-- Alison's History of Europe, iv. 27. Indeed, it is common in most armies that a considerable portion of the enlistments are from those in early life; and besides this, it is usual to employ mere boys on various services about a camp.