Rev. 19
In this chapter, John begins his vision by hearing a great voice from heaven shouting,
"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."
After this, the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures fell down and worshiped saying,
Hallelujah! The smoke form her goes up forever and ever.
And from the throne he heard,
Praise our God all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.
Heaven is in total agreement with with her demise. But how sad it is for those who followed her, those who blindly followed her to a Christ-less eternity! Her hooks will no longer ensnare!
Following this was the marriage supper of the Lamb ushered in by a great voice sounding like the roar of many waters and at the same time the crash 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.
Now I understand why our righteous deeds [those done through Jesus and in His grace] are so important. They are the fine linen that becomes our clothing during this feast. I am reminded of the parable where people were too busy to come, so the servant had to go to the highways and byways to find people. I am one of those roadside people! Jesus has saved me and imputed His righteousness to me so that I am covered in it and properly dressed for this great supper. And the angel said to John,
"Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."
Mistakenly John fell down to worship this angel, but was promptly told that all worship must be directed toward God. Amen!
From here we go to a great battle scene. On one side is the white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True, whose eyes flame fire. On His head are many diadems [royalty and supremacy] on which He has a name that no one knows. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood [His crucifixion]by which He is called the Word of God, the Logos. In unblemished righteousness, He judges and makes war. But He is not alone, the armies of heaven dressed in white, pure linen and on white horses. His mouth issues forth a sharp sword with which He will strike down the nations and rule them with a rod of iron [no grace]. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. And on His robe and thigh is emblazoned, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Total supremacy! The enemy stands no chance whatsoever!
In preparation for the battle, and angel alerts the birds so that they are ready to devour the flesh of the slain bodies. John's vision then focuses on the beast and the false prophet. Completely defeated, they were thrown into the lake of fire alive! But the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of the rider of the white horse[ Heb. 4:1-13]. And the birds gorged on the flesh of those who were the enemies of God.
Father,
As I read this chapter I am so very thankful that I was invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb and that I am appropriately clothed in His righteousness. I see how powerful Your word is. From it can come saving life or destroying death. Thank You for Your word.
In the name of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
Amen
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