Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 19:15

"And out of his mouth proceedeth 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 of the wrath of God, the Almighty." — Revelation 19:15 (ASV)

There are three OT allusions to the warrior-Messiah in this verse: he strikes down the nations (Isaiah 11:3ff.); he rules them with an iron rod (Psalms 2:9); he tramples out the winepress of God’s wrath (Isaiah 63:1–6; see comment on v.13; also on 14:17ff.). In the first allusion, there are significant changes in imagery. Here the Lamb-Messiah does not wield a sword in his hand, but his sword comes from his mouth (cf. comments on 1:16 and 2:16). This has no OT parallel and cannot be accidental, since John emphasizes it so much (1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21). Christ conquers by the power of his word, the instrument of both his judgment and his salvation (Matthew 12:37).