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Hallelujah over the Fall of Babylon

In contrast to the laments of the kings of the earth, merchants and seafarers, there would be great rejoicing in heaven, celebrating the judgment of Babylon.

The voice of a great multitude shouting "Hallelujah", praising God's judgment as true and just and rejoicing over God's vengeance for the blood of His martyred servants (19:1-3). This is the first time the word "Hallelujah" is used in the New Testament and only here in the Book of Revelation.

The 24 elders and four living creatures responded with “Amen, Hallelujah!” (19:4) Again, the multitude praised that their Lord God Almighty reigns (19:5) and announced the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:7-8). 




Our modern equivalents (in Singapore) are the engagement, the gate crash and the wedding reception.

During the betrothal stage, the Church is also preparing her wedding dress (fine linen) for the marriage supper of the Lamb. The fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s people (19:7-8).

The great multitude of God's servants in heaven (i.e., martyred believers of the Tribulation) uttered the words in Rev. 19:7-8. They said that the Bride had made herself ready for the supper, not WE had made ourselves ready. This is consistent with the pre-tribulation rapture view that believers during the Tribulation is not the Church.

He "who is to come" is here!

The heavens are opened and the moment we all have been waiting for ... Remember the kingdom of the beast was plunged into darkness at the fifth bowl judgment, therefore when the Son of Man comes with power and great glory (Matt. 24:27,29-30), all eyes will turn to the light and see Him (1:7).

  • He sat on a white horse and is called Faithful and True; with justice He judges and wages war (19:11).

    The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine white linen (19:14). The armies of heaven are church-age believers. They were clothed in "fine linen, white and clean" which is explained as “the righteous acts of the saints” (19:8). Moreover, these would be recognized as "His called, chosen and faithful followers" (17:14).   
  • His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns (19:12). He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself.
  • He was dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God (19:13).

    His rope dipped in blood probably refer to the blood of His enemies that would be shed in the coming conflict because He is said to tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty (19:15,21a cf., 14:17-20).  
  • From His mouth came a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations (19:15).
  • He has KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS written on His robe and on His thigh (19:16).

The Other Supper

In grim contrast to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, an angel invited birds to another supper ... to eat the flesh of those killed in the battle (19:17-18,21). This is Operation Clean-up after the battle! 




Then John saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the white horse and His army. Earlier in Rev. 16, three demon spirits came out of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet had gathered them together to Armageddon for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty (19:19 cf., 16:13-14,16). 

The beast and his false prophet were captured and these two were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur while the dragon was thrown into the Abyss (20:1-3). The rest of their armies were killed with the sword and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh (19:20-21). 

Reflection

The second coming of Christ will be in stark contrast to His first advent. Then He came full of grace and truth, not to judge but to be judged for our sin and to bear the penalty of sin.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,
but that the world might be saved through Him.
He who believes in the Son has eternal life;
but he who does not obey the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God abides on him.
John 3:17,36

Have you believed in Jesus, the Son of God? If you believe in Him then you have eternal life. Thank Him for all that He had done and will do for you. Will you continue to prepare yourself for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?

If you have not believe in Jesus then will you believe in Him right now and receive forgiveness of your sins and eternal life? 

© Copyright January 2019 Alan S.L. WONG