Alleluia!

Now begins the rejoicing. The good news for a grieving world is near. Revelation 19 begins with praise for God and joy that this world’s corrupt ways, symbolically referred to as Babylon and the beast, have finally ended.

Revelation 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

What a shout of joy! The evils of this world are finally ending. Humanity has tried every variety of political, religious and scientific method, and none brought the salvation available only in God. Rather than a polluted world caused by human mismanagement, we have glory. Rather than the honor of scoundrels and dishonor of the weak, true honor is given to God, who only has the power to bring salvation to the world.

Revelation 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

No longer will there be the miscarriage of justice, but God’s righteous judgments. Fair punishment will come to a corrupt Babylonian system, apostate religion, blood-guilty oppression and one-sided injustice.

Revelation 19:3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

Babylon’s smoke “rises” up forever, similar to a prophecy of the destruction of Edom (Isaiah 34:9-10), which was understood by Jews as symbolic of their oppressors, pagan Rome and its eventual destruction.

Revelation 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

God “sits” on the throne, present tense. The angels at God’s throne join in this anthem of praise.

Revelation 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

A voice invites the church to a time of praise.

Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

All heaven and all saints join in praise of our God. This is a time of great joy for all, humanity and angels alike.

Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

The marriage of Christ to His bride the church is consummated. This metaphor of a marriage covenant between Savior and church, seems to be pictured in various stages throughout history and this is the final culmination.

Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

As white symbolizes purity in many cultures, so too does it symbolize the righteousness of the church, through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22; Romans 4:5; Romans 4:9; Romans 4:13; Romans 10:6; Romans 10:10; Galatians 3:6; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 11:7).

Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

The Lord’s Supper is a small picture of this great marriage supper. Recall the parable of the wedding feast, whereby many were invited but refused to come (Matthew 22:1-14).

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

This is a wonderful example of loyalty to God set by an angel, a fellow servant! Angels and men work together as servants of God. The spirit or purpose of prophecy is to make God’s will known, and it is most fully known in Jesus.

The White Horse

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

No longer riding on the foal of a donkey (Matthew 21:1-7), but a white horse, Jesus comes to finally vanquish all evil, symbolized in the beast of antichristian governments, corrupt trade and the whore of counterfeit religion.

Revelation 19:12-13 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.