Revelation 19:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The eating of flesh signifies the destruction of everything carnal and the disappearance of the rulers of the earth. Horses are mentioned not because they too will rise and be judged, but to indicate people frenzied with lust and enslaved to wickedness. The riders signify those who have loved evil. This is explained by the words "free and slave, small and great." Here the free and the great are those who have sinned much and by their own will. The slaves and the small are those who have sinned less, or through lack of understanding, age, or necessity.

We understand that this truly takes place in the Church. For when all nations are included in the Church, they are spiritually devoured. Those swallowed by the devil are the body of the devil. Those received by the Church become members of the body of Christ.

"Come," He calls, "you who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Mt 5:6), to the royal feast that is to come. The fury of the proud will be restrained, and you will be filled with the light of God's righteousness.

The angel foretells a defeat of God's enemies so complete that there will be no one to bury their corpses, and they will be given to the birds.