Revelation 19:1–3
After John is shown an expanded explanation of the judgment of Babylon he is now about to see the coronation and marriage of the Lamb of God in heaven.
Verses 4–5
God judged the great whore named “Babylon the Great.
Verse 6
The twenty-four elders and the four beasts that surround the throne of God worshipping Him, saying “Amen; Alleluia”. The word amen means “truly” or “surely”. “So be it” or “even so”. The word alleluia means “praise the Lord”.
Verse 7
This verse tells us the marriage of the Lamb has come about. The bride of Christ is now a wife and she is ready to go with Jesus to earth. The wife is ready because she was adorned with gifts at the judgment of rewards that took place in heaven just prior to this time. It was a time when rewards were given to believers for how they allowed the Holy Spirit to work in their physical bodies after they were born from above. The gifts are leadership positions in the millennial reign – most likely they will also be leadership positions for all eternity – they are spoken of in Luke. This passage in Luke also talks about Jesus’ rejection, His second coming, His judgment of rewards or taking away of rewards and His judgment on his enemies.
Verse 8
Fine linen could mean the “righteousness of the saints” (that comes through the blood of Jesus) or the “righteous acts of the saints” (that comes through the Holy Spirit working in believers). Both views are correct; there was an inner and an outer garment. The white inner garment that is worn was given by Christ when a person was saved but the white outer garment is the righteous deeds that were done through the work of the Holy Spirit. Everyone that is part of the bride will have fine linen undergarments given freely by Jesus but not everyone will have the gold silver and precious stones to display in their outer garment. These adornments will be awarded at the judgment of rewards and will be based on how each individual built upon the house of God. The judgment will be about positions of authority and leadership.
1 Co 3: 12—15, Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Verse 9
This verse says blessed or happy are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb this also could be called the marriage feast of Jesus. This is not the marriage; the marriage has already taken place in heaven before the Father in heaven (prior to verse 7). The marriage feast is on earth and has invited guests. These guests will be those who fled to the mountains at Petra and were protected by God. It will also include all those who lived through the great tribulation who did not take the mark of the Beast and who did not hinder God’s 144,000 Israelite first fruit brethren that now follow Jesus wherever He goes (Rev 14:4).
Verse 10
John was so awed by the angel that showed him these things that he fell down to worship him. In contrast to Satan who demands worship, the angels of God will not allow anyone to worship them. All worship is to be directed to God. The angel told John that Jesus is the fulfillment of all God given prophecy; worship Him alone.
Verses 11–13
John saw the second coming of Jesus and what will happen to the armies that gather against the Lord at Megiddo. Chapter 16 told us all the armies of the world will be assembled at Megiddo against the Lord. Then chapter 17 gave us the mystery of the woman that rides the Beast and her destruction by the Beast. After that chapter 18 gave us the details about the destruction of the Beast kingdom called “Babylon the Great”. Now we pick up again where chapter 16 left off.
Verse 14
These armies (plural) include all the hosts of heaven, the angels and all who make up the body of Christ. They all come wearing fine linen, white and clean. This indicates that all of their sins have been removed and they have on the righteousness of Christ. All who came rode on white horses so it would seem that there are some manifestations of animals in heaven?
Verse 15–16
Jesus will smite the nations by the words that come out of His mouth. This is the same being who spoke and the universe came into existence. When He comes with His saints, He will come in wrath against all those who are against Him, for He is the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Jesus is coming to earth to conquer His enemies and to set up His kingdom on earth.
Verses 17–19
This is the classic battle of Armageddon. It occurs after the destruction of “Babylon the Great” that took place at the outpouring of the seventh vial. This really is not a battle at all. It is a slaughter of all of the enemies of God on earth.
All the armies of the world are gathered against Jesus and His saints by Satan and by his lying spirits. The armies gathered by Satan will all end up being food for the vultures. Lying spirits come out of the mouths of the Dragon, the Beast and the False Prophet to deceive the whole world and the armies that destroy Babylon. These lying spirits somehow convince the kings of the earth to move all their armies against Jerusalem.
Verses 20–21
The Antichrist Beast and his False Prophet, who worked miracles by the power of Satan and deceived all who took the mark of the Beast and those that worshipped his image, are taken captive. Just as Satan deceived and took a third of the angels in his rebellion against God, Satan and the Beast and False Prophet will deceive and take a large number of humans in this rebellion against God. Those that follow him do not want the Son of God to rule over them. Notice, there is no real resistance against the real God of creation. The armies are gathered for slaughter because all the forces of Satan and man are no match against the God of creation. I am sure Satan knows this but he hates humanity and God so much that he intends to bring humanity to total destruction.
The Beast and False Prophet are judged by Jesus and they are cast alive into the Lake of Fire. In the next chapter we will find out that they are still alive in the Lake of Fire over a thousand years later. There is no non-existence of souls taught in the Bible. Either one goes into the new creation for eternity or the Lake of Fire for eternity.
Continue to read the topic “Revelation chapter twenty”
