Verse 17
John saw next an angel standing in the sun, a conspicuous position in which all the birds could see him. He cried loudly for all the birds flying in mid-heaven to assemble (cf. Ezekiel 39:4; Ezekiel 39:17). Jesus referred to the same battle and mentioned vultures (or eagles, Gr. aetoi) being present (Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37). After the coming battle, the site will provide a feast for vultures (cf. Ezekiel 39:4; Ezekiel 39:17-20). It is a great supper that God gives them. This is the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). This picture of it stresses the greatness of God’s victory over His enemies. [Note: Swete, pp. 255-56; Hughes, p. 207.] The "great supper of God" is not the same event as the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). The former event will be a scene of great sorrow but the latter one of great joy.
"John took Ezekiel’s prophecies [in Ezekiel 39:4; Ezekiel 39:17-20] broadly enough to foreshadow both Harmagedon and the final attack on Jerusalem (Revelation 20:8-9). . . . Harmagedon precedes the thousand years and the other battle follows . . ." [Note: Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 394.]
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