The kings and lords of the earth had aligned themselves with the demonic beast that propelled the great prostitute Babylon (Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3). By walking all over them in the winepress of God’s wrath, Jesus was unequivocally demonstrating his superiority over those finite kings and lords. This is a truism valid for all times and places, and a source of great encouragement for John’s readers of all ages. In the presence of the rider on the white horse, the movers and shakers of the earth are nothing. In fact, as the next section demonstrates, these kings and lords become dinner for the birds.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.