Despite what's already been revealed so far in the book of Revelation, chapter 19, 20, 21 and 22 do two things, they recap some of the events already shown and then explain what happens in the future. All of these chapters are in chronological in order and this is where we can see the timing of things to come.
Most of the events here are also written in plan language with very little symbolism. What little there is has already been explained in previous chapters and so you should be able to read these chapters with little difficulty. Chapter 19 starts off by telling us about the rapture and the feast that is to take place in heaven afterwards. There is a big celebration and even the 24 elders are excited.
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! Rev 19:1 |
This chapter talks about what is called the marriage supper of the lamb. What that means is the believers will be joined with Jesus for all eternity at that point in time. This supper takes place in heaven and not on earth. You might say it is the feast before the return to earth to live again until all things are finished.
The description of fine linen means the chosen ones will be taken care of and they will suffer no more. Fine linen is representative of wealth. About that time John was indeed overwhelmed and bent down to worship in front of the angel. It is here we learn that only God is to be worshiped.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev 19:10 |
John then sees Jesus riding a white horse. Take note to how he says "now" instead of "and then" or the other ways he started off describing something. At this stage, time will be present and not something that is coming.
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. Rev 19:11 |
Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Rev 19:15 |
Jesus will have done battle against the ten kings, Satan, and won. The battle's themselves are over as this is mainly a recap and an explanation at the same time.
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Rev 19:19 |
Then and angel sounds and invites all the birds that fly in the heavens to come and eat the flesh of those who followed Satan and the beast.
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great. Rev 19:17-18 |
The next verses tell us that the false prophet, which is a spirit, and the beast, which is also a spirit, are thrown in the lake of fire and will never be released again. This lake of fire is different that the bottomless pit that acts more like a jail and not a place of torment.
These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. Rev 19:20 |
The reason these two are done away with is because Jesus will be here on earth and will no longer compete with false leaders or teachers. Otherwise, the same thing deception could keep going on forever. Since Jesus will set up his kingdom, the beast is also done away with so that it will no longer compete against Jesus as well.
It's also important to understand this, since the beginning of earth and the creation of mankind, Satan and his false spirits have been leading man astray. The up coming millennium will be the first time mankind has lived without the presence of Satan.