And 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. the beasts and the kings ] Their confederacy under his leadership has been already intimated, Rev 16:14; Rev 16:16, Rev 17:12-14. The so-called battle of Armageddon, there foretold, is here described.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And I saw the beast – notes on Rev 13:1, Rev 13:11. Compare Rev 17:13.
And the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together – There is allusion here to the same assembling of hostile forces which is described in Rev 16:13-14, for the great decisive battle that is to determine the destiny of the world – the question whether the Messiah or antichrist shall reign. There can be no doubt that the writer in these passages designed to refer to the same events – the still future scenes that are to occur when the Roman, the pagan, and the Muhammedan powers shall be aroused to make common cause against the true religion, and shall stake all on the issue of the great conflict. See the notes on Rev 16:13-14.
Against him that sat on the horse – The Messiah – the Son of God. notes on Rev 19:11.
And against his army – The hosts that are associated with him – his redeemed people. See the notes on Rev 19:14.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 19. I saw the beast] See the notes on chapters xii., xiii., and xvii. Rev 12-13; Rev 17:1-18
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The beast, whether by it be understood the dragon, or the beast with seven heads and ten horns, or the beast with two horns, or all of them, shall before this time be all destroyed, that is, as to their power and dominion; but there will be relics left, both of pagans, and Turks, and papists, of whom it is probable that this is to be understood; viz. that after God, upon the pouring out of the fifth vial, shall have deprived the papacy of their dominion; and by the pouring out of the sixth vial, shall have deprived the Turk of his dominion; that yet such pagans, Turks, and papists, as shall be left, shall be gathered together, and make one or more great armies, with whom the Jews and Gentiles (now united in one church) shall fight under the conduct of Christ, as the Captain general of his church, by whom they shall be overcome; and that this shall be the great battle in Armageddon, mentioned Rev 16:16.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. gathered togetheratArmageddon, under the sixth vial. For “their armies”in B and ANDREAS, there isfound “His armies” in A.
warso ANDREAS.But A and B read, “the war,” namely, that foretold,Rev 16:14; Rev 17:4.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And l saw the beast,…. Not the devil, for after this he is taken and bound for a thousand years, and then loosed, and laid hold on again, and cast into the lake of fire; not but that this war will be by his instigation, and under his influence, Re 16:14 not the Roman Pagan empire, which has been destroyed long ago, under the sixth seal, and was the issue of the battle between Michael and his angels, and the dragon and his; but the antichristian civil powers, or antichrist in his civil capacity; and which, though it may chiefly regard the western antichrist, and the remains of the Latin idolatry, yet may take in the eastern antichrist, or the Mahometan powers, which may all join together in this battle; the beast will survive for a while the downfall of his seat, Babylon or Rome.
And the kings of the earth; these, as they stand distinguished from the beast, or the antichristian kings, and civil states, may design as many of the Pagan kings and princes, as the pope and Turk by their emissaries can persuade to assist them in this war;
[See comments on Re 16:14].
And their armies gathered together; at Armageddon, or in the valley of Jehoshaphat, Re 16:16
to make war against him that sat on the horse; the white horse,
Re 19:11 as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions read, which must be downright folly and madness, since he is the Word of God, the great God, the King of kings, and Lord of lords:
and against his army, Re 19:14 who, though unarmed, and only clothed in fine linen, have nothing to fear, since Christ, the Captain of their salvation, is at the head of them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Gathered together (). Perfect passive participle of . In battle array.
To make war against ( ). First aorist active infinitive of , to express purpose. See in 12:7 and the use of in Rev 16:14; Rev 20:8. The beast (for his army see 16:13f.) led a league of ten kings against Babylon in 17:16f., but with the purpose also of fighting the Lamb (17:14).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And I saw the beast,” (kai eidon to therion) “And I recognized the beast; I perceived the beast that had reigned in religious, pagan, civil consort over the one world, final Gentile Empire, Re ch. 13; Dan 7:8-11.
2) “And the kings of the earth,” (kai tous basileis tes gas) “And I (also) recognized the kings (royal rulers) of the earth,” of earthly order or rank who had been vassals of the beast, on whom the mystery Whore-mistress, mother of harlots, had ridden with whom these kings had committed fornication, Rev 14:2-3; Rev 14:6; Rev 14:12; Rev 18:3-4.
3) “And their armies,” (kai ta straeumata auton) “And I recognized their marshalled armies.”
4) “Gathered together to make war,” (sunegmena poiesai ton poiemon) “Having been regimented, assembled, or drilled to make the war,” to do battle, with the Lamb, Rev 17:13-14.
5) “Against him that sat on the horse,” (meta tou kathemenou epi tou hippou) “With the one sitting on the (white) horse,” of just judgment nature against all remaining impenitent wicked of the earth, Pro 1:23-32.
6) “And against his army,” (kai meta tou strateumatos autou) “And with the (white uniformed) army of his,” on white horses, Rev 19:14; Rev 16:14. Whether those who follow our Lord from glory, on white horses are the redeemed of the ages or an army of Michael’s Defense and offense armed corps who did battle with Satan in heaven, this is a time of Victory for Christ and His own, 2Th 1:9-10.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
19. And Though the adverse armament and array seem to be fearfully great, the battle seems to be no battle.
Make war Nobody seems to be slain of the armies of heaven.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And 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.’
There is no doubt about the aim of the forces of evil. Possibly in some way they still believe that they can prevent the coming of Christ and His final judgment. But probably it is just to indicate their defiance. There is no mention of an actual battle for their Enemy is irresistible. They are just floundering in their folly.
In Rev 20:9 we are informed how these forces of evil warred against Him Who sat on the horse and against His army. They did it by attacking His people on earth. ‘They went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city’. In other words they turned their vicious attentions on His people (Rev 12:17). The camp of the saints has in mind God’s people worldwide, depicted as though they were all together in one place. They are in tents because they are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. The beloved city (Psa 78:68; Psa 87:2) represents the true, believing Israel who are of course a part of the people of God (compare Rev 11:1-12; Rev 12:13; also Rev 21:12-14).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rev 19:19-21 . The Lord’s judgment and war are accomplished. This act of judgment John beholds, as it proceeds not only from the (Rev 19:19 ), but also from the mode of representation itself ( , Rev 19:20 ; , Rev 19:21 ). Cf., on the other hand, ch. 18
, . . . With the beast, representing the secular power, [4127] his confederates appear, the kings of the earth, [4128] and their armies, consisting of the entire number of the dwellers on earth, [4129] who now carry into effect the conflict proclaimed already in Rev 16:14 ; [4130] its result, however, is described in Rev 19:20 sq., in such a way as to correspond to the significant name of Rev 16:16 . For the conflict which is to be described is not one that is painful, or as to its issue possibly doubtful, but the result of an unconditional victory over enemies, won by the justice and omnipotence of the Lord.
. . The sing. is chosen here, [4131] in order to mark the holy unity of the entire army of Christ, in contrast with the rent body of his enemies. [4132] . The position of the false prophet as the auxiliary of the beast is designated in harmony with the description (Rev 13:11 sqq.). The allusion also to the peculiar function of the false prophet ( , . . . ) points back to Rev 13:13 sqq.
The manner in which the judgment is fulfilled is in conformity with the nature of the enemies: [4133] the beast, together with the false prophet, “was taken, and both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Who does this, is not said; but the act dare not be referred to Christ, for the reason that he does not execute his various acts of judgment by his own hand. [4134] It is evident that the victorious result of the war of judgment [4135] is determined by Christ’s power; but according to the analogy of Rev 12:7 sqq., we must regard the of the Lord, as the executors of the judgment. [4136]
. For only human enemies could suffer bodily death (Rev 19:21 ) before the eternally condemning judgment of the world. [4137]
, . . . Cf. Rev 20:10 ; Rev 20:14 sq., Rev 21:8 .
. See on Rev 19:17 sq.
, . . . To seize the enemies, and thus to cast them into hell (Rev 19:20 ), is not befitting the Lord himself; but it is something else, when the sword which proceeds from his mouth slays the enemies. This gives the idea of the victory entirely without laborious effort, and presupposing no proper conflict of Him who, according to the prediction of the ancient prophets, destroys his enemies with the breath of his lips. [4138]
. , . . . Cf. Rev 19:17 sq.
[4127] Rev 13:1 sqq.
[4128] Rev 16:12 sqq., Rev 17:12 sqq.
[4129] Rev 13:4 ; Rev 13:8 ; Rev 13:16 .
[4130] Notice the art. .; also the here repeated.
[4131] Cf., on the other hand, Rev 19:14 .
[4132] Beng., Hengstenb.
[4133] Cf. Beng., De Wette, Hengstenb.
[4134] Cf. Rev 20:2 .
[4135] Cf. Rev 19:11 .
[4136] Cf. Rev 20:9 sqq., 14 sq.
[4137] Rev 20:14 sqq.
[4138] Cf. Isa 11:4 .
The allegorical exposition, when applied with consistency to ch. 19, must be regarded untenable in the degree that it arrays itself against the context. The fowls (Rev 19:17 sq., 21) are, according to Hammond, the Goths and Vandals, who desolated the Roman Empire; according to Coccejus, the Turks, who, after the capture of Constantinople, afflicted the Catholic West; according to Hengstenb., the Huns, who prepared grievous calamities for the Germanic nations, the destroyers of the Roman Empire. Wetst. found the prophecy fulfilled in the assassination of Domitian, the last of the Flavians, [4139] and in the conquest of his soldiers (Rev 19:21 ). Grot. understands by the (Rev 19:19 ), “Julian with his nobles,” and remarks on Rev 19:20 : “Theodosius the Great abolished the public sacrifices of the heathen,” and on Rev 19:21 : “By the decree of Christ, who used Justinian for this purpose, to punish idolaters with death.” Others, as C. a Lap., have thought that the fulfiment of the prophecy could be shown by the horrible death and burial of many heretics. So C. a Lap. cites authors who report of Luther that he committed suicide, and that at his burial not only a multitude of ravens, but also the Devil, who had come from Holland, appeared.
Luther, gloss on Rev 19:11 : “The word of God is opposed to the defenders of the Pope, and none of their defence is of any avail.”
[4139] Rev 19:20 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
(19) And 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. (20) And 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. (21) And 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.
What a blessed scripture is here! So then at last the beast is caught, and the false prophet; and ere long the devil will be taken also. The Holy Ghost had taught the Church to expect this, in relation to the whore. 2Th 2:8-12 . And the Church of God will shout aloud, and say, in the language of the Church of old: So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord, but let them that love him be, as the sun, when he goeth forth in his might, Jdg 5:31 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
19 And 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.
Ver. 19. And I saw the beast ] The Church’s enemies are even ambitious of destruction. Judgments need not go to find them out; they run to meet their bane.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rev 19:19-21
19And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Rev 19:19 The actual battle begins. This is an allusion to Psalms 2. Does this refer to a specific, literal end-time battle, or is it symbolic of the struggle between good and evil? The genre of Revelation implies symbolic; the parallel passages in Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; and 2 Thessalonians 2 imply literal. This ambiguity is the source of great disagreement in the interpretation of Revelation by godly people. Dogmatism is surely inappropriate!
Rev 19:20 “the false prophet who performed the signs” He is the second beast (cf. Rev 13:11-18; Rev 16:13). This goes back to Rev 13:12-13, where the false prophet’s relationship to the sea beast is a parody of the Holy Spirit’s relationship to Christ.
“received the mark of the beast” (cf. Rev 13:16-17).
“these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire” The phrase “lake of fire” is unique to the book of the Revelation, but is a synonym for the term Gehenna (see Special Topic at Rev 1:18), which Jesus used so often to denote Hell. The specific OT allusion may be to Isa 30:23-33 and Dan 7:11. There are so many prophetic passages that connect judgment with fire or burning. This theme of an eternal fire is developed in apocalyptic Judaism (cf. Enoch 27:1ff; 54:1ff; 56:3ff; 90:26; IV Ezra 7:36; Apoc. of Baruch 59:10; 85:13 [list taken from George E. Ladd, Revelation, p. 258]). This phrase is used in Revelation in Rev 20:10; Rev 20:14; Rev 21:8. It was a place prepared for Satan and his angels, but humans who rebel against God will also find this as their ultimate dwelling place. It is the final dwelling place of Satan. It is the natural result of rebellion against God and is a permanent form of the abyss (cf. Mat 25:46; Rev 9:11; Rev 11:7; Rev 17:8; Rev 20:1; Rev 20:3).
Rev 19:21 Those who received that mark of the beast (cf. Rev 13:16; Rev 14:9; Rev 14:11), the very ones who had persecuted the believers, are now killed by the word of Christ (as the sea beast will be, cf. 2Th 2:8).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
gathered together. Greek. sunago, as Rev 19:17.
war. The texts add “the”. See Rev 16:14.
against = with. Greek. meta. App-104.
That sat = Who sitteth.
on. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
make war
The day of Jehovah (called, also, “that day,” and “the great day”) is that lengthened period of time beginning with the return of the Lord in glory, and ending with the purgation of the heavens and the earth by fire preparatory to the new heavens and the new earth Isa 65:17-19; Isa 66:22; 2Pe 3:13; Rev 21:1. The order of events appears to be:
(1) The return of the Lord in glory Mat 24:29; Mat 24:30
(2) the destruction of the Beast and his host, “the kings of the earth and their armies,” and the false prophet, which is the “great and terrible” aspect of the day Rev 19:11-21.
(3) the judgment of the nations Zec 14:1-9; Mat 25:31-46.
(4) the thousand years, i.e, the kingdom-age Rev 20:4-6.
(5) the Satanic revolt and its end Rev 20:7-10.
(6) the second resurrection and final judgment Rev 20:11-15 and
(7) the “day of God,” earth purged by fire 2Pe 3:10-13.
The day of the Lord is preceded by seven signs:
(1) The sending of Elijah Mal 4:5; Rev 11:3-6
(2) cosmical disturbances Joe 2:1-12; Mat 24:29; Act 2:19; Act 2:20; Rev 6:12-17
(3) the insensibility of the professing church 1Th 5:1-3
(4) the apostasy of the professing church, then become “Laodicea” 2Th 2:3
(5) the rapture of the true church 1Th 4:17.
(6) the manifestation of the “man of sin,” the Beast 2Th 2:1-8
(7) the apocalyptic judgments (Revelation 11-18.).
make war Armageddon (battle of). See note, Rev 16:14; Rev 19:17 (See Scofield “Rev 19:17”)
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
I saw: Rev 13:1-10, Rev 14:9, Rev 16:14, Rev 16:16, Rev 17:12-14, Rev 18:9, Eze 38:8-18, Dan 7:21-26, Dan 8:25, Dan 11:40-45, Joe 3:9-14
him: Rev 19:11-14
Reciprocal: Jos 8:16 – drawn away Jdg 5:19 – kings Jdg 8:12 – took 2Sa 10:15 – gathered Job 12:19 – General Psa 18:37 – General Psa 83:5 – For Psa 118:10 – All nations Isa 26:14 – dead Isa 44:11 – let them all Isa 54:15 – they shall Jer 1:10 – to root out Jer 25:35 – the shepherds Eze 14:10 – the punishment Dan 11:44 – east Dan 11:45 – he shall come Joe 3:2 – also Joe 3:11 – Assemble Joe 3:14 – multitudes Zec 1:8 – riding Zec 12:3 – though Zec 12:6 – they Mat 22:44 – till Act 2:35 – thy foes Act 14:15 – why 2Co 11:15 – his Rev 11:7 – the beast Rev 11:18 – the nations Rev 12:17 – to make Rev 19:20 – the beast Rev 22:8 – I fell
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 19:19. Beast is Babylon and the kings are the inferior rulers under her. All mustered their forces to resist the attack of Christ through the Reformation.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 19.
(5) The complete destruction of the persecuting power of the Roman beast and his subordinate false prophet– Rev 19:19-21.
The fact that these visions anticipated events before, during and after the destruction of Jerusalem, should be observed and retained in the mind, as the considerations advance from one stage and scene to another.
The scene of verses nineteen to twenty-one reverted to the spiritual battle between the heavenly armies of the Rider, and the armies of the Roman beast–the heathen persecutor. It was after the destruction of Jerusalem; and after the evil forces of heathenism were diverted from the scene of Jerusalem and Judaism to converge on the church.
But the vision saw the triumph of Christianity. It was declared in verse twenty that the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet . . . with which he deceived them that received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. This beast was the original first sea-beast of chapter 13–personified in the emperor, the source of authority for all the persecutions. The false prophet was identical with the second land-beast, of Judea and Palestine, described in chapter 13, as the subordinate of the imperia1 beast who seduced the inhabitants of Judea to worship the emperor. As previously postulated, the mark of the beast was submission to the decree for emperor worship and acceptance of the image of the emperor as deity and the worship of the Roman image in acts of idolatry for the emperor.
After accomplishing the destruction of Jerusalem and the obliteration of the Jewish state, the vision represents the beast as having lost the battle against the church. The invincible spiritual forces of Christianity prevailed against all powers of heathenism, and both the beast and his satellite false prophet were taken; that is, captured and consigned to the bottomless pit of banishment, symbolized by the lake of fire burning with brimstone. The object of this vision was to symbolize the war of righteousness led by Christ Himself, the Head of the church, against the wickedness of heathenism. It described the progress of the persecution of the church, after the fall of Jerusalem, through the period of tribulation of Rev 2:10; and of the hour of trial in Rev 3:10; in the deadly conflict with the heathenism of the Roman world.
The entire second psalm is a magnificent prophecy of the defeat of all the cohorts of heathenism by the King whom God had set “upon the holy hill of Zion,” and is worthy of insertion here in its entirety:
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, 0 ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
This psalm was quoted more than once in the New Testament as having fulfillment in the universal expansion of the kingdom of Christ. The messianic psalm finds its climax in these visions of Revelation where the “heathen raged” and “the kings of the earth set themselves . . . against his Anointed.” The rulers did “take counsel together,” and determined to “break their bands asunder,” and thus to scatter the forces of the Anointed; but “the Lord shall have them in derision” and “shall break them with a rod of iron” which was done in the descriptions and fulfillment of these visions. In this imagery the Psalmist foresaw the establishment of the kingdom of Christ, and the defeat of all heathen opposition by the gospel’s rod of iron–the invincible Word of Truth.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 19:19. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat on the hone and against his army. No doubt the war is that of chap. Rev 16:14. It is the final war waged by the beast and his ten kings and their armies against Jesus and His army. The army of the latter is in the singular; the armies of the former are in the plural. The thought of the unity of the one compared with the inner dissensions of the other lies at the bottom of the change (comp. chap. Rev 11:8).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. The final issue of this great battle, namely, The total ruin of all the enemies of the church: the beast and false prophet were taken, and cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Behold the punishment of idolaters and idolatry; the false prophet had cheated credulous princes and peoples, with his pretended miracles, into idolatry; he had cast others into a bed of fornication, and God casts him into a bed of flames.
Lastly, It is added concerning the remnant, that they were slain with the sword of his mouth: that is, by Christ’s judicial sentence they were righteously adjudged to be slain, and, when they were so, all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Where note, That these persons were not excused because they followed their leaders, and did what they bade them; Christ commands, for all that, that they also should be slain.
Lord! how vain will the plea of many sinners be at the great day; we followed our guides, we did as we saw others do before us; Remember we, that God has given us a rule to walk by, the infallible and inflexible rule of his word; and neither the example of the most, nor of the best, must influence us to act contrary thereunto; for if we will do as the most do, we must be contented to go where the most go, even into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Some go into great detail on the events of the battle of Armageddon, but it is over in two verses. The great worldly beast’s forces line up to fight God’s forces and they are taken. With him are the kings who had destroyed the harlot ( Rev 17:16-17 ) and the false prophet, which stands for false religion. The beast and false prophet are cast into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. They have joined the harlot in a burning punishment. ( Rev 18:8-9 ; Rev 18:18 )
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
19:19 {20} And 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.
(20) The third part (as was said in) Rev 19:11 by the victory obtained by Christ. Two things pertain to this: his fighting with the beast and his forces, in this verse: and the event most magnificent, described after the manner of men, in the verses following. All these things are plain.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
John now saw another scene on earth. The beast at this time will have 10 allies (Rev 17:12-14; cf. Psa 2:2). Their armies will represent the worldwide population of earth-dwellers. These armies will unite to oppose Christ (Rev 16:13-16). The battle will be over world leadership. When Jesus Christ returns, the beast’s 10 allies that will have been fighting each other (Eze 38:21; Dan 11:40-44) will unite against Christ (Rev 16:14). This is a description of the judgment portrayed proleptically in Rev 14:14-20. It is surprisingly brief in view of its importance in history. This probably indicates that the battle will not last long (cf. Mat 24:13-45).
"The Seer is not describing the gradual conquest of evil in the spiritual struggles of the faithful, but a great historic event which brings to an end the Antichrist and his forces and ushers in the long-awaited era of righteousness." [Note: Mounce, p. 349.]