The message21 is gruesome and powerful, guaranteeing before the battle has been joined that the end result is certain. The angel commands all the birds, συνάχθητε (synachthēte, gather together), ironically the same verb used in 16:14, 16 for the false trinity “gathering together” the nations for the final battle. At the same time as the evil forces gather for Armageddon, the carrion birds are called to gather for the aftermath of the inevitable slaughter. These birds are “flying in midair” like