The Future According to GodSample

REVELATION 19: Pause

In Revelation 19, after spending a lot of time on the last days on earth, we are going to go to heaven. Throughout the Book of Revelation, there have been chances to pause and praise the Lord. Here is another opportunity. Will you pause and praise the Lord? Please read or listen to Revelation 19.

COMMENTS

In 1995, after reading Revelation 19, I wrote, “Worship God, not angels. And ‘He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God’ (v. 13). Other names, ‘Faithful and True’ (Rev 19:11 NASB). ‘A name written on Him which no one knows except Himself’ (Rev 19:12 NASB). And also, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’ (Rev 19:16 NASB).”

In 2008, after reading Revelation 19, I wrote, "After Babylon has fallen, the earth has been judged, God's wrath has been poured out, the heavens break out in praise! They are not saddened by God's judgment upon the earth, ‘BECAUSE HIS JUDGEMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS’ (Rev 19:2 NASB). There will be no more saved, so the marriage supper of the Lamb can take place. John sees Jesus. ‘He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God’ (Rev 19:13 NASB). He is also called, ‘Faithful and True’ (Rev 19:11 NASB) and ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’ (Rev 19:16 NASB). The beast and false prophets gather for war, but there's no contest. Some angel throws them into the lake of fire because Jesus already won the victory at the cross. Jesus first came to bring forgiveness to all who would accept it. His second coming, he brings judgment to all who would not accept forgiveness."

In 2013, I read Revelation 19 in two parts on two different days; the first ten verses on the first day and the rest of the chapter on the second day. We will look at my journal entries for both days.

The first day, “‘Hallelujah’ only used in the New Testament here, in this chapter. It means, ‘Praise Yahweh.’” Then I wrote, “God’s ‘judgments are true and just’ (Rev 19:2 ESV). No one will be judged or punished undeservedly.” I continued, “Once the great prostitute is gone, there is great praise in heaven. No question, God reigns. After the great prostitute is gone, the marriage of the Lamb can take place. And ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb’ (Rev 19:9 ESV). I expect an invitation.”

The next day, I wrote concerning the rest of the verses of the chapter, “John again sees heaven opened. Names of Jesus: ‘Faithful and True’ (Rev 19:11 ESV), ‘The Word of God’ (Rev 19:13 ESV), ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’ (Rev 19:16 ESV). There are armies in heaven, according to Revelation 19:14 ESV." I continued, "Different than the marriage supper of the Lamb is the great supper of God, where birds are going to eat the flesh of kings and mankind, according to Revelation 19:17-18 ESV. The beast has gathered what is left on the earth to fight against God. The beast and the false prophet are captured in this final battle and disposed to the lake of fire. Great evil and deception will be around until the very end of time.”

How many times have you uttered the word “hallelujah”? Did you realize it was used one time in the New Testament, and that is in this chapter? Yes, it is used in the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms a few times, but amazingly, it is only used in the New Testament here in Revelation 19. I find myself uttering the word “hallelujah” or “alleluia” often in my life, as I think about the awesomeness of God. This chapter reminds us of that in verses 1-2, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just” (Rev 19:1-2 ESV).

In one of my journal entries, I said there is no weeping or crying in heaven as God judges the earth because it is just and true. Because of that, verse 5 says, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great” (Rev 19:5 ESV). Verses 6-7 continue the chorus of praise:

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 (Rev 19:6-7 ESV).

Notice the “L” in “Lamb” is capitalized. It means Jesus. And “Bride” is capitalized, the church. So, the marriage is between Jesus and His church. Verse 9 says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19:9 ESV). I wrote in one of my journals, “I expect an invitation.” I hope you do too. I hope you are part of the Bride of Christ. I hope you are part of the church. I hope you have given your heart to Jesus so you can enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Next, we see a couple of names of God. There are so many various names in Scripture for God, and for Jesus, but look at these names, as Jesus is described: “Faithful and True” (Rev 19:11 ESV), “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God” (Rev 19:13 ESV), and lastly, “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev 19:16 ESV). That makes me, and hopefully you, want to shout with the angels in heaven, “Hallelujah, hallelujah!”

The chapter ends with the consummation of that final battle, and it is really no contest at all:

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh (Rev 19:20-21 ESV).

It is over. The beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. There is no big contest here. There is no Jesus battling with them. No, some angel just throws them into the lake of fire. We will see that in the next chapter, Revelation 20.

DIGGING DEEPER

What is our application from Revelation 19? Several times in Revelation, we have the chance to pause and just praise the Lord, to shout the hallelujah, to worship God. Chapter 19 gives us another chance to join those in heaven and do so. Why? Because “Salvation and glory and power belong to our God” (Rev 19:1 ESV). Why? Because “the Lord our God the Almighty reigns” (Rev 19:6 ESV). Why? Because His name is “Faithful and True” (Rev 19:11 ESV). Why? “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God” (Rev 19:13 ESV). Why? “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev 19:16 ESV).

PRAYER

Father, we pause like we see heaven pause a few times in this book; we pause. We pause right now and utter the word, hallelujah. Hallelujah, “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev 19:16 ESV), “Faithful and True” (Rev 19:11 ESV), “The Word of God” (Rev 19:13 ESV). Today, we take a moment to pause and worship you. Hallelujah, amen.