Tag: Revelation 19
All Heaven Rejoices!
Scripture reading for December 25: Revelation 19
“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just; for He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of His servants.” Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God Who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” Revelation 19:1-4
John now hears a great multitude in heaven crying out loudly in worship of God. They ascribe to Him salvation, power and glory and praise Him for His judgments. They marvel at the just judgment of the great prostitute who had corrupted the earth and its inhabitants with immorality. They are praising God for judging and avenging justly the murder of the saints. They worship God for the eternal smoke that ascends from the place of the wicked. They are joined by the twenty-four elders and four living ones in agreement and worship.
“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”–for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”” Revelation 19:6-9
A further cause for worship and rejoicing comes as God the Almighty reigns and decrees that the time for the marriage of the Lamb has arrived. The Bride is the great multitude of redeemed clothed in fine linen. John was told the fine linen was the righteous acts of the saints. John was told to write down a decree from God: “Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” This blessing was an invitation for all to come for the banquet was now ready! However, not all willingly come.
Do you trust God to have true and just judgments? Have you forgiven all who have wronged you and entrusted them to God for mercy instead of judgment? Are you among the ‘blessed’ who are invited and have accepted the invitation to the wedding banquet?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of righteousness through faith in Your Son, the Lamb of God. Thank You for insight into Your just and true judgments and Your great mercy. Use me to extend the Gospel invitation to those needing Your blessing of eternal life in Your family. Amen.
The Keeper of the Keys!
Scripture reading for December 21: Revelation 1-3
Our goal has been to encounter Jesus in each book or letter and gain an understanding of Him that equips us to live out our faith in an authentic manner. The title “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” gives us an immediate understanding that this last book is all about Jesus Christ! It was written by John the beloved disciple while he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9) He was worshiping the Lord on a Sunday when he heard a voice speaking to him. Upon looking, he saw Jesus and heard Him speak to him a message that was to be written down for the churches that John served.
John describes the vision of Jesus in this first chapter of Revelation. Jesus appeared in such glory and power that John fell down as a dead man. (Revelation 1:17) We who are pentecostal might say that John was slain in the Spirit! Jesus touched John and spoke again. “Then He placed His right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17b-18)
John was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. He and many others were suffering for their faith in Jesus. Some had already died, quite probably all the other disciples who walked with Jesus as John did. During this special worship time, Jesus came in visible form and then spoke words of faith and encouragement to his beloved apostle.
Jesus is the Keeper of the keys of death and Hades! Satan was not in control and neither was Rome! Human authorities and governments have no power except that granted by our Lord for His purposes. Even though death looks permanent to us, Jesus conquered death and Hades and rose from the dead. He took the keys from Satan and holds the key for our deliverance from there as well! By faith in Jesus Christ, we are freed from our sins and their power to hold us in Satan’s abode. Jesus was dead and now lives forever as the first fruits of them that will live forever! What encouragement this truth gives to us!
Christians rejoice that death has no power over us and the grave is not to be feared! Faith is the victory and we can rest assured without fear of what is to come! We know the One Who is alive forever and has the keys! He has unlocked death and Hades for us who believe on Him!
Hallelujah!
Scripture reading for December 28th: Revelation 19
During the Christmas season, I love to listen to the classic “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah”. This famous piece of classical music is take from the 19th chapter of Revelation. This is the only passage in the New Testament where the Hebrew word “Hallelujah” (Praise the Lord) is used, and four times! It is used by angels, but here mainly by the redeemed saints of Heaven as they witness the final destruction of Babylon!
“And I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 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.”” “And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” 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!”(Revelation 19:1-4)
John heard loud shouting from a great multitude in heaven! This “Pentecostal” style of worship came from saints seeing justice done on their behalf! They were celebrating God’s vengeance on the evil world system that had persecuted and killed them. The smoke of their torment will go up for ever and ever! Even the elders and four living creatures worshiped God with loud cries!
John then heard the multitude shout once again, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 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.”. . . .”Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:6-7, 9)