REVELATION LESSON 47

REVELATION 
Lesson 47

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 19:1   19 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:

Previous revelation has been dealing with Gods judgment on a wicked world. Now the theme changes to some extent because it will reveal Gods blessed plan for His own. After the destruction of Babylon and the worldwide reaction that will follow, the roar of a great multitude will be heard in heaven.

This multitude will most likely be the tribulation saints. It may include others such as the old testament saints, the church and the angels. Praise will be directed to God because salvation, glory and power belong to Him. Salvation speaks of hid deliverance, glory speaks of his judgement, and power refers to His ability to overcome his enemies.

At this time the focus shifts from the mother of harlots in Babylon to the bride of Christ in heaven. From the antichrist who will destroy the wicked harlot, to the Christ who will marry the forgiven bride, from weeping of kings, merchants and sailors on earth, to the rejoicing of the inhabitants of heaven.

From the temporary value of money and goods to the eternal value of salvation and true worship. From the silence of musicians who will witness the funeral of Babylon.

Revelation 19:2   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.

It is impossible to say whose voice this will be, the only certainty is that those praising God in heaven will declare his truth and Justice. The wicked will not get away with their sin. Gods judgments are true and just.

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

This is the second time in this chapter that we hear a shout of alleluia in heaven. One is for the destruction of Babylon, the mother of harlots. The second one was for the destruction of the city of Babylon.

This rejoicing in heaven won’t be because the people on earth have perished or property has been destroyed. The rejoicing will occur because God has stopped the satanic crew of earth. For this reason, we believe Babylon will be rebuilt, at the present smoke is not rising up from Babylon.

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

The church and the four living creatures will fall down and worship the God who sits on the heavenly throne. The twenty-four elders represent the entire church from Pentecost to rapture.

Revelation 19:5   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.

The voice that come out of the throne doesn’t say whose voice it will be. The father and Son will both be on the throne. The only certainty is that someone on the throne will approve of the heavenly praise and worship. The element of praise is so often mission in the live and service of the average Christian and the average church. They would have a different image of Christianity if there were more rejoicing and praise on the part of the people of God.

Revelation 19:6   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.

This will be the response found in the last verse. All of Gods servants on earth will shout praises to Him because the Lord God almighty reigns. The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Son. The English word hallelujah, which means praise the Lord. The Greek word alleluia is a translation from the Hebrew and has the same meaning.

Revelation 19:7   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.

This will be a great day in Heaven. It is the time for the Lambs “Christ’s” marriage to the church. The bride of Christ which is Gods servants will rejoice and give Him glory in this event. This will take place after the destruction of Babylon near the end of the tribulation period.

A special union will exist between Jesus and the church, which is the people who have accepted him as Lord and Savior, similar to a union between a bridegroom and a bride. The idea is that the church will be joined together with Jesus in a special relationship that will equip us to reign with Him, he will not come back to earth without his bride, and they will not reign without Him. Be ready for the future events of the church.

Revelation 19:8  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.

Before its marriage to the Lamb, the church will wear fine linen which is their own righteous act. A person’s deeds will follow one to heaven where they will be worn like a gown or a robe. Faith in God makes that possible. When the marriage takes place, the church will lay their righteousness aside. The holiness and righteousness of Jesus imparted to them will form their clothing for eternity.

Revelation 19:9   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.

Again John heard an angel tell him to write about the wedding supper of the Lamb. All those who are invited to attend this supper are blessed or happy. Another verse that provides insight to understanding the marriage supper concerns the Lords last supper. Jesus said he will not drink the fruit of the vine again until he drinks it in his father kingdom.

His Fathers kingdom is his millennial kingdom on earth. Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and dine with him and he with me.

While revelation 19:9 pronounces a blessing on the guests at the supper it does not indicate the time or the place of it. It’s possible that the wedding feast of the Lamb and his bride will take place on earth at the very beginning of the millennial kingdom of God.