Why the Structure of Revelation 19:11-16? - Part 1

It has been established rather convincingly that there is a parallel structure in verses 11-16 of chapter 19, that verses 11-12 parallel verses 14-16. Here is the structure and its proofs as laid out in earlier posts.

14 And the armies [thematic] which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean [vs. 8].

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness [vs. 8] he doth judge and make war [thematic].

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:

and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God [Isaiah 63:1-6].

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [Isaiah 63:1-6]:

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS [title].

and his name is called The Word of God [title].

But why does this structure exist? What is its purpose? These questions are a bit harder to answer. Note the following structure with respect to the subject of the text.

vs. 14 - Army

vs. 11 - Christ

vs. 15a - Christ

vs. 12a - Christ

vs. 15b - Christ

vs. 12b - Christ

vs. 15c - Christ

vs. 13a - Christ

vs. 16 - Christ

vs. 13b - Christ

Doesn't the occurrence of army seem out of place in the structure when every thing else seems to be so Christ centered? Perhaps a closer look at verses 11 and 14 would be beneficial. (The highlighting used to establish the parallel structure has be carried over.)

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ... 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Looking for "faithful and true" in the rest of Revelation, as well as "judge,"... both the phrase and idea/theme occur in the letter to the Laodiceans, vs. 1:14.

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Jesus calls himself the "faithful and true witness", a very close parallel to "Faithful and True" and Laodicea means "a people judged" which parallels equally well with "judge".

Is it possible then that Christ's army consists of members from the church of Laodicea? It cannot be mere coincidence that the only characteristic given of the army (besides the fact that they are riding on white horses) concerns their clothing and one of Christ's chieftest  rebukes/counsels to this church concerns clothing.

17 ... thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art ... naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me ... white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; ...

The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 5 (odds and ends)

A few odds and ends now before leaving this study of the structure of these verses.

Firstly, notice the rather simplistic thematic tie between verse 11 and verse 14: "war" vs. "armies".
Secondly, notice the perhaps more thought provoking occurrence of the word "righteousness" in verse 11 and the phrase "clothed in fine linen, white and clean" in verse 14. In verses 7 and, in particular, 8 we read,

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Not only does verse 8 once again establish the parallel structure of these verses, verses 11-16, but it also carries with it the possible implication that the members of Christ's army were once fallen beings, that their righteousness is something they have put on like clothing. This idea will be discussed further in a latter post.

So the final structure of Revelation 19:11-16 is,

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean [vs. 8].

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness [vs. 8] he doth judge and make war.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:

and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God [Isaiah 63:1-6].

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [Isaiah 63:1-6]:

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

and his name is called The Word of God.

The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 4

Continuing on with the analysis of the text of Revelation 19:11-16...

The last major aspect that establishes the parallel structure of Revelation 19:11-16 is nothing other than simply noting that both the last portion of verse 13 and verse 16 contain a title.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:

and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God [Isaiah 63:1-6].

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [Isaiah 63:1-6]:

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

and his name is called The Word of God.

The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 3

Continuing on with the analysis of the text of Revelation 19:11-16...

Notice the imagery drawn from Isaiah 63:2- (red boxed in section).

 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:

and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

and his name is called The Word of God.

Compare the high lighted texts (light blue and purple) with the text of Isaiah 63:

1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Isaiah 63:1-6

Structure thus far...

 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:

and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God [Isaiah 63:1-6].

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [Isaiah 63:1-6]:

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

and his name is called The Word of God.

The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 2

Continuing on with the analysis of the text of Revelation 19:11-16...

Notice the references made to the letters to the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3 (red boxed in section).

 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Compare the high lighted texts (green, orange, pink, and purple) with the letters to the churches of Pergamos and Thyatira:

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; ... 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:12-17

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; ... 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 2:18-29

Structure thus far...

 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:

and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 1

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:11-16

Notice the use of unique words/phrases:

• "white horse": vs. 11, 14
• "heaven": vs. 11, 14

This is the first of several elements that establish a  parallel structure in the text...

 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.