Revelation 19 reminds me of weddings and funerals. Both occasions mark a separation from the old and establishment of a new life. Friends and family gather to celebrate the fulfillment of a promise. Tears are shed by some because the old relationship must change. Today’s lesson is about praising God for His faithfulness. John begins by describing the ruckus of the crowd in heaven erupting in spontaneous joy. He heard “the roar of a great multitude in heaven”. This crowd includes every soul that has received salvation by putting their faith in the blood of Jesus. They cheer the awesome work of God with this simplified exaltation: “Hallelujah!” This word literally meaning “Praise Yahweh”. “Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments.” They cheer the conquering hero, the arrival of the bridegroom, and the total defeat of evil all at once. “He has avenged… the blood of His servants.” The crowd shouts a second “Hallelujah!” related to the smoke emitting from the ruin on earth. This is not a celebration of destruction, but of God’s perfect judgement. When we retaliate in anger, innocent bystanders get hurt. Perfect knowledge means that only the unrepentant are judged. The power of the moment causes the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures to fall down and worship God saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!”
The fourth praise is expressed by “a great multitude” in heaven: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!” They are witnesses of redemption, promised since the fall of Adam: “For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.” The church is called the Bride of Christ. Ephesians 5:25-26 tells us” “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy… to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle… holy and blameless.” This is a beautiful picture of sacrificial love, given for the purification of the church. John sees the bride in heaven: “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” The clothes represent the purity produced by salvation. John is told to write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”
Finally, Jesus the warrior king is revealed: “before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True… His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns.” He is called King of kings and Lord of lords. He is wearing “a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God.” Isaiah 63 tells us that this is the blood of those that rejected the Day of Grace. For them, His coming will be “the day of vengeance.” John continues his view from heaven: “The armies of heaven were following Him.” Note that the armies are not needed to fight. “Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.” In His word we find truth and life. We also find perfect discernment. The “battle” is not even mentioned. “The beast and the kings of the earth… gathered together to wage war against the rider… But the beast was captured.” John includes a sad truth that evil entices accomplices. Many have been fooled into believing the lies of Satan, causing them to deny God’s Word. John adds that the false prophets “deluded those who had received the mark of the beast.” They too are judged: “thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” The rest were: “killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse.” Weddings and funerals are times of emotional reunions, but only one is a happy time. Jesus asked His disciples the question all will need to answer: “Who do you say that I Am?” The answer is given in Matthew 16 “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Friend, that day is coming soon. Will it be day of mourning or joy? Hallelujah, God is faithful.