Although Adam was a wonderfully handsome man and Eve was perfectly beautiful, they were not great spiritual models for us to follow. The external is not a clue to one’s spiritual character. By one simple act, they changed from holy beings into unholy beings. But our Holy God did not reject them. He loved them and promised that a savior would come one day and rescue them. That savior is Jesus Christ or God Himself. Later God revealed that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would not only die in order to forgive our sins, but He would return to life, go back to heaven, and then return to earth some day. The prophet Isaiah predicted,

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be . . . Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom . . .  Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)

That earthly government is coming and the Prince of Peace will bring peace. Just before Jesus returned to heaven, He told the disciples that His kingdom was still in the future (Acts 1:6-7). Since then His disciples and those who are believing and following Jesus are looking for His return – His second coming. The apostles were looking for His return. The early Christians were looking for His return. The Apostle Paul even encouraged them to look for the ” . . . appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus . . .” (NASB) in Titus 2:13. Other New Testament writers such as James and Peter talked about and looked forward to Jesus’ Second Coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:12; 2 Peter 3:4). Every Christian who loved Jesus looked forward to the return and reign of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. Why? Because they wanted to be with Him!

Hallelujah God Reigns

Hallelujah

When we come to Revelation 19, the end has arrived. Victory over sin and a rebellious world is here. But the best news of all is that God will be imposing His holy, righteous rule on a sin wrecked earth. The Prince of Peace will soon start to rule, and peace will finally occur. The end of politics, deception, immorality, murder, violence, abortion, divorce, and deceit will occur. He is the final ultimate king.

This has been God’s plan since Adam and Eve. The apostle’s desire for the kingdom to arrive is now described in the pages of Revelation. We have come to the best part of the book of Revelation – Jesus is coming! So a great number of angels cry out with a loud voice in praise to this God.

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER.” Revelation 19:1-2 (NASB)

“Hallelujah, Hallelujah!” The great multitude of holy angels will honor God. It will be a time of celebration and joy. The long wait is almost over. The English word “Hallelujah” means “praise God.” It is transliterated from a Greek word which was transliterated from the Hebrew. But “Hallelujah” does not occur in the Old Testament. It occurs only here in Revelation 19 and it occurs four times (v. 1, 3, 4, and 6). Why does this unique word occur only here in Revelation? Why does it not appear in any of the other 65 books of the Bible? It appears that the Holy Spirit reserved these words in scripture for just this heavenly host to honor their Creator.

The angels rejoiced not for themselves but for “His bond-servants” – the Christ-followers (The word “Christians” first appeared in Acts 11:26. It means a follower of Christ or Christ-follower). I was amazed when I read the scriptures which say that the angels in heaven rejoice for each sinner who believes in Jesus.

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10 (NASB)

It is both humbling and amazing to realize that the angels watch over us and care about us. Not only does God love us, but so does all of heaven. I look forward to leaving this world some day and being with Jesus. Just think all of heaven loves you!

Outline of Revelation

More Voices

Next we are told that the angels will cry out again,

And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” Revelation 19:3-4 (NASB)

Heaven rejoices over the eternal destruction – “forever and ever” – of Babylon the Great. Babylon the Great has been, is, and will be evil and heaven will rejoice when all false religion and the Anti-Christ’s global economy is destroyed.

We are also told that the twenty-four elders whom we saw in Revelation 4, 5, and 11 shout, “Hallelujah!” Each time we have seen them, they have fallen to the ground and have worshipped God. They do this out of a heart of love and honor for God. Why did I say love? The answer is found in 2 Corinthians.

If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. 1 Corinthians 16:22 (NASB)

The Greek word for “love” is phileo. This passage tells us that Christians are to love Jesus with fond affection or with an emotional love. Think about this for awhile – everything and everyone in heaven will love God! And our God of will love us!

A Voice

In the next verse another angel speaks.

And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” Revelation 19:5 (NASB)

He calls out to the bond-servants who will be living in heaven. These bond-servants are Christ-followers (Revelation 1:1). The word “bond-servant” refers to a person who willingly chooses to submit to and serve another person. These folks believed that Jesus was both their God and their Savior. Then they trusted Him to forgive them of their sins, and willingly submitted themselves to Him. That is the characteristic of a bond-servant of Jesus.

Then the angel uses a surprising word in the phrase, “Give praise to our . . .” He uses the word “our” He refers to God as “our.” God is not just the God of the angels or just for Christ-followers, He belongs to all of us. The angel also identifies himself with us. Just imagine heaven will be one great family. We will enjoy one another throughout eternity.

King of kings

God Reigns!

The apostle John hears a chorus of many voices, maybe all of the angels, the twenty-four elders, and Jesus’ bond-servants. He heard a great chorus.

Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns Revelation 19:6 (NASB)

Their praise was louder than the most powerful amplifier on earth. It was louder than any thunder you or I have ever heard. It was a mighty, thunderous “HALLELUJAH!” For the King of kings and the Lord of lords reigns! The omnipotent God reigns! The Antichrist and the evil world with all of its nuclear bombs and weapons are like a bunch of ants when they are compared to God.

The Marriage

Next the Apostle John heard the voice predict what would occur next – after Babylon the Great is destroyed.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19:7-8 (NASB)

The wedding between the “Lamb” and the “bride” will occur next. This will be no ordinary wedding. Who is the “Lamb” and who is the “bride”? The “Lamb” is Jesus Christ according to Revelation 5:5-6, 8, 12-13. These passages have already told us that the Lamb was “. . . from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” and had been “slain.” He is Jesus!

The bride symbolizes every man and woman who is a “Christ-follower.” We know because the bride is clothed in fine linen which is the righteousness of the saints. Most of the New Testament books are addressed to the “saints.” These are NOT men and women who have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as historic saints. They are anyone who believes in and follows Jesus. The English word “saints” comes from the Greek word “HAGIOS’ which means “holy one.” Christ-followers are forgiven. God has declared them to be holy or righteous and to be saints.

Only Christians are righteous. Non-Christians are not righteous because God has not forgiven them of their sins because they do not see a need to seek God’s forgiveness and do not believe in Jesus Christ.

What kind of marriage is this? The answer is found in the book of Ephesians. In the following passage, look for Christ’s love for the church and what He will do for her in the future.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25-27 (NASB)

The passage says that Jesus will some day present the church to Himself without spot or wrinkle – that is “holy.” The church includes all of the saints. This marriage is nothing more than a close relationship between God and all of the saints forever. Now that is wonderful. God will take care of us. There will not be any arguments or sin. It will literally be “heaven” in heaven!

Apparently the Apostle John was so overwhelmed with what he saw and heard that he forgot who was talking to him and he started to worship the angel.

Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'” And he *said to me, “These are true words of God.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God . . .” Revelation 19:9-10 (NASB)

But the angel stopped him and said that he served God too!

 

Seven Beatitudes

Spirit of Prophecy

Before we leave this passage, we need to ask, “What is the meaning of the phrase, ‘Jesus is the spirit of prophecy?'”

. . . For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10 (NASB)

The expression “testimony of Jesus” has already occurred in Revelation 1:2, 9 and 12:17. It will occur again in Rev. 20:4. Each time it refers to the facts or truth about Jesus or the message about Jesus Christ. “The spirit of prophecy” reminds us that Jesus has been the focus of Old Testament prophecy as well as the prophecy of this book. The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ. This is a wonderful truth.

What the Bible Says About the Future

He Is Here

Just as on Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey with the people cheering for Him, the angels, the twenty-four elders, and the Christ-followers will be celebrating Jesus’ coming. Jesus will return to us some day. It will be His Second Coming. He will come to completely rule, control, and reign over the earth, the heaven, and the universe.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16 (NASB)

The scene will be awesome. Jesus, the Faithful and True, will come down from heaven with an army. Satan, the demons, the Anti-Christ, and the armies of the world may be bold and brave at His appearing, but they will be defeated. It will be too late for those who are afraid, because God will have already given them opportunities and warnings to repent. We have already seen that in Revelation 7:4-17; 11:1-13; and 14:1-12. They had their opportunity and now the end has come.

He said He would come, and He will. Notice that He comes to wage war in righteousness. Those who say that Jesus was a pacifist have missed this verse. He hates sin and evil, and there is only one way to remove it. The next time He comes to this unbelieving and unrepentant world, a world that has rejected Jesus Christ, our omnipotent God will come to wage war. It will be time to remove evil and those who love sin and do not love God.

We have seen descriptions of Jesus like these before in Revelation 1:14 and Revelation 2:18. His robe will have blood on it. This is a reminder of His death for our sins. His name will be the Word of God. Did you know that the Greek word for “word” is RHEMA? It is the Greek word used to refer to the actual words we speak. Jesus’ name refers to the very words spoken by God. When He speaks, God is speaking.

He will come with an army. The army is the multitude of saints or Christ-followers. These are the ones who were described as being clothed in fine linen in verse 8. They are dressed in the righteousness of Jesus – all in white. They are Christians.

Second Coming of Christ

Conclusion

The sword in Jesus’ mouth reminds us that Jesus is not coming to give them a second chance or to reason with “good hearted people.” He is not coming to ask their opinion about the problems of the world or to plead with them to repent. They will have already been given many opportunities to believe in Jesus and follow Him. Jesus will come to destroy the entire unbelieving and Christ-rejecting world. He will be coming as King of kings and Lord of lords. Today, God allows human government to rule in His absence (Rom. 13:1-4). But at His Second Coming there will be only one King and only one Lord. It will be Jesus! Our wait for the One who loves will be over! Hallelujah and Hallelujah!

 

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