Verse 15
15. There is but one sword in the armies, and that belongs to the leader. And it brandishes not from his hand, but from his mouth. The image blends the double thought of conversion and destruction. See note on Revelation 1:16.
Here is verified the truth of our note on St. Paul’s (2 Thessalonians 2:8) “whom the Lord shall destroy with the spirit of his mouth.” Here it is the spiritual power going forth from the lips of the Word of God that overthrows the power of antichrist. At Revelation 20:9-10, that same antichrist will be not only overthrown but destroyed “by the brightness of his coming.”
Smite the nations But not destroy. On the extent of these nations see note, Revelation 17:16.
Rule them Literally, shall shepherd them. He guards and controls them as the sheep of his pasture.
But his crook is a powerful, or benevolently despotic, one. It is a rod (or sceptre) of iron It rules with exactness, and those unyielding to its sway receive its destroying stroke.
Treadeth the wine-press The ruddy image of carnage and destruction.
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