Revelation – Chapter 19

New Testament21 Verses

Chapter Summary

Revelation 19 opens with the words: "After these things, I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power is to our God." Across its 21 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and justice and care for the poor. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1After these things, I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power is to our God.

2For true and just are his judgments, who hath judged the great harlot which corrupted the earth with her fornication and hath revenged the blood of his servants, at her hands.

3And again they said: Alleluia. And her smoke ascendeth for ever and ever.

4And the four and twenty ancients and the four living creatures fell down and adored God that sitteth upon the throne, saying: Amen. Alleluia.

5And a voice came out from the throne, saying: Give praise to our God, all ye his servants: and you that fear him, little and great.

6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of great thunders, saying: Alleluia: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, hath reigned.

7Let us be glad and rejoice and give glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb is come: and his wife hath prepared herself.

8And it is granted to her that she should clothe herself with fine linen, glittering and white. For the fine linen are the justifications of saints.

9And he said to me: Write: Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith to me: These words of God are true.

10And I fell down before his feet, to adore him. And he saith to me: See thou do it not. I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Adore God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

11And I saw heaven opened: and behold a white horse. And he that sat upon him was called faithful and true: and with justice doth he judge and fight.

12And his eyes were as a flame of fire: and on his head were many diadems. And he had a name written, which no man knoweth but himself.

13And he was clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood. And his name is called: THE WORD OF GOD.

14And the armies that are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp two-edged sword, that with it he may strike the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God the Almighty.

16And he hath on his garment and on his thigh written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

17And I saw an angel standing in the sun: and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that did fly through the midst of heaven: Come, gather yourselves together to the great supper of God:

18That you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of tribunes and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them: and the flesh of all freemen and bondmen and of little and of great.

19And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, gathered together to make war with him that sat upon the horse and with his army.

20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who wrought signs before him, wherewith he seduced them who received the character of the beast and who adored his image. These two were cast alive into the pool of fire burning with brimstone.

21And the rest were slain by the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse, which proceedeth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Important Verses in Revelation 19

After these things, I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power is to our God.

Revelation 19:1

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of great thunders, saying: Alleluia: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, hath reigned.

Revelation 19:6

And I saw heaven opened: and behold a white horse. And he that sat upon him was called faithful and true: and with justice doth he judge and fight.

Revelation 19:11

And I saw an angel standing in the sun: and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that did fly through the midst of heaven: Come, gather yourselves together to the great supper of God:

Revelation 19:17

Historical Context

Revelation belongs to the New Testament and was composed for persecuted churches, lifted to see Christ's final victory. Chapter 19 of 22 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a apocalyptic vision revealing God's ultimate victory over evil with 21 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "After these things, I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and…" The final verse reads: "And the rest were slain by the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse, which proceedeth out of his mouth: and all the…" The wider setting of Revelation is this: Written to seven churches of Asia suffering under Rome's demand for emperor worship, Revelation unveils history's hidden meaning through visions of heavenly liturgy: the Lamb who was slain stands victorious, and every… The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

Who Wrote It

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle

When It Was Written

About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian

Catholic Commentary

This chapter uses symbolic imagery to reveal God's sovereignty over history and the final triumph of good. A pivotal line is verse 1: "After these things, I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power is to our God." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1814). Here, Revelation reveals the Church's ultimate destiny (CIC 1042-1050). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize God's kingdom and kingship as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Behold, I am making all things new. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Revelation 19 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

Revelation Chapter 19, containing 21 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 958). Here the emphasis falls on lectio divina and meditation on God's Word, which shapes how the Church understands Christ's victory and the new creation.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of lectio divina and meditation on God's Word bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Revelation Chapter 19 about?

Revelation 19 contains 21 verses. It opens with "After these things, I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and…" and closes with "And the rest were slain by the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse, which proceedeth out of his mouth: and all the…". The book as a whole is apocalyptic prophecy and epistle.

What is a key verse in Revelation 19?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "After these things, I heard as it were the voice of much people in heaven, saying: Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power is to our God." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Revelation and when?

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle. About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

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