Revelation 19:1-10

The rejoicing because of the judgment brought on the great harlot is resounding throughout the universe.  This worldly system has been the cause of great persecution of God’s people.  They have cried out to God “how long” and now God has glorified Himself in answering the cry of the saints.  This will lead to the two great end-time feasts: the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:8-10) and Armageddon, the supper of the great God (Rev. 19:17-21).  We have come to the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:11-16).  Thus the heavens burst forth in verse after verse of a great Hallelujah Chorus.

·        Stanza 1 (v1-2): All the hosts of heaven, moved by the judgment of the harlot, ascribe to God everything that matters: salvation, glory, honor and power.  The angels have been filled with awe at God’s wisdom in fulfilling His eternal purpose in Christ (Eph. 3:10-11) so it is no surprise that they lead out in worship, exalting God for His perfections: He is true and righteous (His evaluation of the people of earth is accurate).

·        Stanza 2 (v3): The angelic hosts continue, praising God that the judgment is final, never to be reversed.

·        Stanza 3 (v4): Here the singers are the elders and living creatures in heaven, who have led in worship throughout.  Their song is simple: Amen! Alleluia!  

·        Stanza 4 (v5-7): The call goes out to all of God’s servants, all who fear Him, both great and small.  What marvelous words they sing: For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  Christ has been at the right hand of His Father until He makes His enemies His footstool (Psalm 110:1).  The time has now come.  His bride, the Church, is now ready, having received her reward at the bema seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).  He will be joined to His bride and will come to rule from Zion.  The defeat of the final enemy, death, will result in the great resurrection.  Rightfully, the praise is deafening!

The marriage of the Lamb is according to custom with a betrothal (up to twelve months), and the procession from the bride’s house with all the invited guests to the groom’s house for the ceremony and supper.  In v7 the chaste Bride (2 Cor. 11:2) is ready for the procession, arrayed in great beauty (v8), the provision of her loving Groom (Eph. 5:25-27).  The invited friends are saints but not the Church.  They include faithful Israel as pictured by the five wise virgins in the parable of Matthew 25:1-13.  John the Baptist is one of those friends (John 3:29).

Everything revolves around the long-prophesied exaltation of the Son of God.  This is where history has been headed all along.  The angelic messenger is right: the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  It has pointed towards the day when at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10-11).  He has that name NOW.  The Church, the Bride of Christ, consists of those who NOW are on bended knee in exaltation and awe of her Lord!