Revelation 19 - Hallelujah!

      

Last time we saw the destruction of Babylon.  Now John is hearing a great multitude in heaven shouting their praises to God.   “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments.” – Rev. 19:1.  God destroyed Babylon punishing her with the punishment she deserved.  Babylon’s destruction was final and will never be built again.  (Rev. 19:1-3)  This is heaven’s response to the judgment of the great harlot, Babylon.  The multitude is praising God for the judgment.  These are probably angels, because the saints are not told to praise God until verse 5.

God’s judgments are always absolutely fair.  He is to be worshipped because He is just and He will judge every evil empire and avenge the blood of the martyrs.  He will do this through Jesus.  Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.  Those who believe in Jesus will judgment because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

The 24 elders and the 4 living creatures fell down and worshiped and called for all the believers including Old Testament saints, the church age saints and the Tribulation saints to give praise to God. (Rev. 19:4-5)

The praise continues and calls for the marriage of the Lamb.  “Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” – Rev. 19:6-8  The group praising God is so loud that it sounds like rushing waters and thunder.  They continue rejoicing and praising God for the marriage of the Lamb has come.  The fine clean white linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.

The marriage is the eternal union of the church with Christ.  The bride is the church universal.  She has made herself ready for her wedding.  Jesus loved the church and gave Himself for her by His death on the cross.  The marriage of Jesus and His church will be complete and there will be a great wedding meal.  She is given the dress to wear, salvation.  She has not earned it, but she has obeyed the Lord and done what is right.

The angel told John, “Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb… These are the true words of God.” – Rev. 19:9  No one can earn the right to go the wedding meal - only those whom God invites.  Some believe those invited are Israel who will turn to Christ during the Tribulation. (Rom. 11:25-27)

How does your praise anticipate Jesus’ return?

Are you prepared for the wedding supper of the Lamb?

John was so impressed with the angel that the fell to his feet to worship him, but the angel told him not to.  Angels are servants of God and so are Christians.  He should only worship God. (Rev. 19:10)

John saw heaven open.  He saw a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True and with justice he judges and makes war.  The rider is God the Son, Jesus.  He is always faithful to His promises and always speaks the truth.  He comes to make war with Satan and his armies and judge all on the earth.  This is the Battle of Armageddon.  Jesus will come for all to see and with a large group.  His eyes were like fire and he had many crowns with a name on Him that no one knows but He himself.  He’s dressed in a bloody robe and His name is the Word of God.  Some believe the bloody robe is Jesus’ blood He shed on the cross.  Others believe this blood is the picture of judgment - the blood of the slaughtered enemies. (Isaiah 63:1-6)  Armies of heaven followed Him on white horses.  This army is the redeemed saints.  They were dressed in fine, white, and clean linen because they have overcome the devil.  His mouth had a sharp sword to strike the nations.  He will rule with an iron scepter – meaning His law is absolute and unwavering and He will never change.  He will tread the winepress of God’s wrath.  On His robe and on His thigh is written “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. (Rev. 19:11-16) 

Is Jesus your King of kings and Lord of lords? 

If not, will you surrender to Him now before it’s too late?

How do you see Jesus as Faithful and True?

Notice that Jesus will return in a very public way.  The fact that “Faithful and True” are capitalized lets us know that this is the Lord Jesus Christ who has been made Lord of Lords and King of kings.  He is the Judge and is always faithful to His promises and He always speaks the truth.  His every word is true and without error.  He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” in John 14:6.

Details of His coming are found in Matt. 24.  He will come as fast as lightning and He will come immediately after the Great Tribulation.  The sun is darkened and moon will not give light, stars will fall, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.  He will coming on the clouds with great power and glory.  A great trumpet will sound announcing His coming. 

The armies are probably the raptured church, angels, the church, Old Testament saints, and the Tribulation saints.  All will share in the victory.  This war is the Battle of Armageddon John described in Rev. 16.

Then John saw an angel standing in the sun calling to the birds in the air, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” – Rev. 19:17-18.  The angel is inviting the birds to feed on the results of what will shortly take place.  Christ’s victory is declared before it ever begins.  When this battle is over, the great supper will take place.  Actually there won’t be a war at all as we think of war.  It will be over immediately. 

Then he saw the beast (the Antichrist), the kings and their armies gathered together to make war against the God and His armies.  But the beast and the false prophet were captured.  They were thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  The rest were killed by the rider (Jesus) and the birds ate their flesh. (Rev. 19:19-21)

The beast and the false prophet were used by Satan to perform his evil deeds.  They were vile and evil and they will get what they deserve by being sent to the Lake of Fire or Hell.  Satan will join them, but only for 1,000 years.  Then Satan will be released for a short while.  Then he will join the beast, the false prophet and all unbelievers for all eternity.  We will see this described in Rev. 20.  

Hallelujah!  What an exciting chapter.  All corrupt religious and political systems that are controlled by Satan’s power will not last.  They will come to an end.  Until then God’s people will continue to give Him praises, because governs destiny.  The Lamb will be triumphant!

Next week we will study Revelation 20.  Hope to see you here.

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