Revelation 19:19; The Beast

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Revelation 19:19 (KJV)  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. 

“The beast” as leader of this world army is the principal focus. By this time he has achieved worldwide supremacy, so it is appropriate for him to be at the forefront. The “kings of the earth” must include the ten kings who were the beast’s allies in Revelation 17:12-14. (Lee, Johnson)

Revelation 17:12-14 (KJV)  And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 

These are the longstanding enemies of the Lord’s Anointed (“the kings of the earth”, Psalm 2:2).

Psalm 2:2 (KJV)  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 

“Their armies” consist of the entire number of earth-dwellers or their representatives (Revelation 13:3-4, 8, 16).

Revelation 13:3-4 (KJV)  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 

Revelation 13:8 (KJV)  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

Revelation 13:16 (KJV)  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 

This large assembly of military strength has as its purpose “to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.” It is the same gathering already portrayed under the sixth bowl judgment (Revelation 16:13-16).

The combination “to make war against” has the same essential meaning “I make war against” in Revelation 11:7; 12:7, 17; 13:7; 17:14.

Revelation 11:7 (KJV)  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 

Revelation 12:7 (KJV)  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 

Revelation 12:17 (KJV)  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

Revelation 13:7 (KJV)  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

Revelation 17:14 (KJV)  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 

The beast with his forces comes prepared for a military engagement that they hope will secure his role as world leader.

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 396]