Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall

1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

3 And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!”

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

7 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.

8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.

12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,

18 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.”

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.

20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Notice the word Hallelujah!  It is defined:

Halle – praise, lu – you, jah – YAHWEH – Father, Son, Holy Spirit.   Glorious Trinity.

19:1 In context the “roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting…” continues the truth from Revelation 7:9-17 about the great multitude in white robes. Revelation 5 highlights the reality of the Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered. The Cross is the Victory of Jesus now realised and unveiled in Revelation 19 onwards.

This truth in Revelation 19:1-8 is a glorious heavenly worship of God’s eternal salvation of His saints. A gospel reality (John 3:16; 17:1-9; 20:31; Acts 4:12).

Evil is condemned (v2). This is a great encouragement for “today” to true worship of our loving God and to be always prayerful, not only for individuals, but also for those in authority in our country, but also other countries (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 2:1-6).

Today in our church assemblies’ prayers for those in authority are sometimes ignored. In World War II the King of England requested the   whole   empire   –   all   commonwealth countries to pray – see Appendix – Seven Days of Prayer – for those seven requests for prayers in all churches in the empire. I remember a comment made about shootings in USA schools – why doesn’t God do something? Well! He is not allowed in the schools!!

In ignorance and disobedience people forget “For our Lord God Almighty reigns…”. Irrespective of what happens or what the world says we are to “…rejoice and be glad and give Him glory.” (v7).

Keep remembering Jesus’ victory is won! Won at the Cross!  Also remember those who persecute and kill the elect – they are already defeated. The elect have their rewards. When martyred the next breath is with the Victor – Jesus – and they are with Him eternally!

We come now to one of the most important theological truths in Holy Scripture. A parable of Jesus introduces this truth. The parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44-50) – all to do with “the wedding of the Lamb has come”.  The “bride” is ready.

The Bride of Christ is the Church. However, Replacement Theology is not actually correct.

There are two other parables involved – the pearl, a parable about the true church, the Church and, the dragnet – the collection of the “good fish” – those Gentiles chosen -the elect. The treasure is the Jews – the Nation of Israel in the Old Covenant – “…my treasured possession…” (Exodus 19:4-6; Psalm 135:4).

All is grafted in as the Bride (Romans 11:25- 32).

Not a Battle – Simply a Word

Revelation 19:9-21

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.

12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,

18 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.”

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.

20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Worship God!

The key words – the focus of Revelation 19:9-21 is simply “Worship God” (v10). A short sentence. This is the message from Jesus and John for us now! (cf 22:6). As in every age!

In our assemblies – congregations – services today you will hear the words “welcome to worship” with the music team called the ‘worship team’. Worship of our loving God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is 24/7 – “in spirit and in truth”. (John 4:24).

Worship God 24/7, in faithfulness and obedience, “in spirit and in truth”.

We are to “rejoice and be glad and give Him glory…”. The joy of the wedding of the Lamb

not the Lion – the Lamb who was slain and redeemed those born-again to now be with Him. And we are “blessed” (Revelation 19:9) invited to the supper where Jesus again drinks of the fruit of the vine (Revelation 19:9 cf Luke 22:18). John is admonished for falling at the angel’s feet and worshipping (v10) as the angel was a “fellow servant”.

So, this wonderful truth, “worship God’. Jesus’ words are true prophecy (Revelation 1:2).

No Battle!  Only a Word from Jesus

19:11-16 The awesome picture of Jesus – King of kings and Lord of lords – a vision compared to Revelation 1:12-18.

          White horse = of a conqueror

          Jesus =       Messiah    = King

          Name written = Heavenly name not yet revealed

          Robe dipped in blood = Jesus’ Cross is the victory

Armies of heaven = Those chosen by Jesus for special service (cf 6:10)

Sharp sword       = Symbolic of all Jesus’ words and testimony of  divine judgement (Revelation 1:2, 9; John 6:68; cf Ephesians 6:17)

Winepress = Symbol of divine judgement (Revelation 14:19; Isaiah 63:3)

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords and the “battle” is really a non-event as He is already victorious at the Cross!

(Revelation 5:5, 6; John 4:13, 14, 25-26; 5:24-27; 7:38-39; 11:25-26; 14:1-6; 16:33; 17:1-9; 19:30; 1Cor 15:57; 1John 2:2; 5:4,5).

19:17-21 An angel standing in the sun calls birds to a great supper of God. The beast and his army assemble (Revelation 19:19) but they are overthrown. The beast is the first beast – the Emperor, the prophet is the second beast, the high priest of the Emperor- cult that John symbolises.

This author reasons that these symbols of John symbolise the overlays defined by this author in the sections Revelation 6-7, 8- 11, 12-14, 15-16 which apply to treacherous evil tyrants in every age – every lifetime of each saint.

Thus – no battle – only a word (Revelation 11:15-18) – described in the verses quoted was won at the Cross (again Revelation 5:5-6). Jesus’ death and resurrection was God’s powerful victory – Jesus’ words, “It is finished”. (John 19:30).

Again, Jesus and John’s encouragement to saints in every age – lifetime, “Worship God”. (Revelation 19:10).