{17} And I saw an angel standing in the {18} sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the {19} midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

(17) The second part, as I said in see Geneva Re 19:11. A reproachful calling forth of his enemies into battle: in which not themselves (for why should they be called forth by the king of the world, or provoked being his subjects? for that is not comely) but in their hearing, the birds of the air are called to eat their carcasses.

(18) That is, openly, and in sight of all, as in Nu 25:4, 2Sa 12:11.

(19) That is, through this inferior heaven, and which is nearer to us: a Hebrew phrase.

People's New Testament

19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun. And riding with the sun in his course. From this position in the heavens and riding through the heavens he can call all the fowls of heaven together.

To the great supper of the great God. Unto the feast for birds of prey caused by the carnage of God's judgments on his enemies.

Wesley's Notes

19:17 Gather yourselves together to the great supper of God - As to a great feast, which the vengeance of God will soon provide; a strongly figurative expression, (taken from Ezekiel 39:17,) denoting the vastness of the ensuing slaughter.

Scofield Reference Notes

[4] Come

Armageddon (the ancient hill and valley of Megiddo, west of Jordan in the plain of Jezreel) is the appointed place for the beginning of the great battle in which the Lord, at His coming in glory, will deliver the Jewish remnant besieged by the Gentile world-powers under the Beast and False Prophet Rev 16:13-16 Zech 12:1-9. Apparently the besieging hosts, whose approach to Jerusalem is described in Isa 10:28-32 alarmed by the signs which precede the Lord's coming Mt 24:29,30 have fallen back to Megiddo, after the events of Zech 14:2 where their destruction begins; a destruction consummated in Moab and the plains of Idumea Isa 63:1-6. This battle is the first event in "the day of Jehovah" Isa 2:12 and is the fulfilment of the smiting-stone prophecy of Dan 2:35.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17. an-Greek, "one."

in the sun-so as to be conspicuous in sight of the whole world.

to all the fowls-(Eze 39:17-20).

and gather yourselves-A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and Andreas read, "be gathered," omitting "and."

of the great God-A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and Andreas read, "the great supper (that is, banquet) of God."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

19:11-21 Christ, the glorious Head of the church, is described as on a white horse, the emblem of justice and holiness. He has many crowns, for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is arrayed in a vesture dipped in his own blood, by which he purchased his power as Mediator; and in the blood of his enemies, over whom he always prevails. His name is The Word of God; a name none fully knows but himself; only this we know, that this Word was God manifest in the flesh; but his perfections cannot be fully understood by any creature. Angels and saints follow, and are like Christ in their armour of purity and righteousness. The threatenings of the written word he is going to execute on his enemies. The ensigns of his authority are his name; asserting his authority and power, warning the most powerful princes to submit, or they must fall before him. The powers of earth and hell make their utmost effort. These verses declare important events, foretold by the prophets. These persons were not excused because they did what their leaders bade them. How vain will be the plea of many sinners at the great day! We followed our guides; we did as we saw others do! God has given a rule to walk by, in his word; neither the example of the most, nor of the chief, must influence us contrary thereto: if we do as the most do, we must go where the most go, even into the burning lake.