REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE - Chapter 19 - Verse 15

Verse 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword. See Barnes on "Re 1:16".

In that place the sword seems to be an emblem of his words or doctrines, as penetrating the hearts of men; here it is the emblem of a work of destruction wrought on his foes.

That with it he should smite the nations. The nations that were opposed to him; to wit, those especially who were represented by the beast and the false prophet, Re 19:18-20.

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron. See Barnes on "Re 2:27"; See Barnes "Re 12:5".

And he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. This language is probably derived from Isa 63:1-4. See it explained in Barnes on "Isa 63:1, seq., and Barnes on "Re 14:19, See Barnes "Re 14:20".

It means here that his enemies would be certainly crushed before him—as grapes are crushed under the feet of him that treads in the wine-vat.

{i} "mouth" Re 1:16 {k} "rod of iron" Ps 2:9