THE WEDDING OF THE LAMB HAS COME
Revelation 19:1-21
Key Verse: 19:7
“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.”
Finally, God’s righteousness has been fulfilled through His true and just judgments. When the seventh angel poured out his bowl, the voice from the temple declared, “It is done.” All his enemies have been destroyed and all his people have been saved, without mission even one.
In ch17-18, the Angel showed the vision How Babylon the great would fall. “Babylon” seems undefeatable with her widespread influence and power over people and nations. All nations committed adultery with her and shared her luxury. But, the Lord God has remembered her crimes and paid her back double for what she had done. As a result, “In one hour she has been brought to ruin; in one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin; in one hour her doom has come.”
Then, Ch 19 is about celebration with “Hallelujah” over the fall of Babylon. God’s Holy people will also celebrate the coming of the Lord, Jesus again. There are two aspects to Jesus’ coming again. Firstly the coming of Jesus will be the glorious wedding of the Lamb. It will be the day we come to have true union with Christ. Jesus, the bridegroom of God’s holy people is coming to take them to the Kingdom of God. However, the day of Jesus’ coming will be the day of eternal destruction for all his enemies. They will be killed or thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Through this bible study, we may also shout “Hallelujah” to give glory to God for His victory. Anticipating Jesus’ coming, we may learn how to make ourselves ready for the Lamb, the bridegroom.
First, Hallelujah! God has condemned Babylon. (1-6)
In Ch 18, John saw the vision of Babylon’s fall. All the nations, the kings, the merchants, and everyone who had committed adultery with her, shared in her luxury and gained their wealth from her wept and mourned over the fall. However, the voice from haven commanded, “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice apostles and prophets for God has judged her…!” (18:20) Here in Ch 19 John witnesses a great multitude in heaven rejoicing with praises to God. It sounds like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. They wholeheartedly shouted: “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” (1b-2).
How do you express your joy when something good happens? “Hallelujah!” “Hallelujah” is a transliteration of the Hebrew “halal,” meaning “praise,” and “yah,” the first syllable of Yahweh, the name of God. So, it means “Praise God!” It is an expression of joy, praise, or gratitude to God for good and wonderful thing he has done. What do they praise God for? They shouted “Hallelujah” for salvation and glory and power belong to him. Who can deliver us from slavery of sin and death? Who can wash away all our sins and make us children of God? God! God alone can save sinners through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Who has such mighty power to set us free from the Devil? Who has such power to destroy Babylon the great? What can empower us to be a kingdom and priest in this adulterous and sinful generation? No king, No ruler, not even angels have such power. Only God has the mighty power to set us free from sin and make us a holy nation and a shepherd. So, salvation and glory and power belong to our God! “Hallelujah!”
They also praise God because his judgments are true and just. Out of His just judgment, God condemns Babylon, the great prostitute who has corrupted the earth by her adulteries. In this way, God has avenged on her “the blood of his servants.” Here, the word “corrupted” means to cause someone to become perverse. Her influence has been terrible. It has turned God’s beautiful creation into a cesspool of depravity, leading them to commit adultery with her. Men ought serve God, worship God and love God with all their hearts. They should give their hearts to God; to the word of God; to the worship in reverence. But instead, so many have given their hearts to idols, to money, to the filthy of immorality, to the material things, or to the pleasures of the world that lure them away from God. Babylon has stole hearts away from God and turned them against God. In fact, her influence has been so widespread and powerful that her adultery seems normal. Seeking money or fame rather than God’s purpose has become normal; pursuing worldly pleasures over holiness in God is now commonplace. Studying the Bible and worshipping God absolutely become abnormal, even considered weird. Advocating same-sex marriage and genderism is not normal, but preaching, teaching and practicing God’s words are seen as strange. We are living under the influence of Babylon the Great. It seems like God’s people suffer, are abused, mistreated, even killed unjustly in the end times. However, we may not be afraid or despaired. Instead, God’s people may shout “Hallelujah!” Do you know why? For God will judge her with his just and true judgment. God’s people should have an eternal perspective rather than short-term perspective. Though now the evil and the wicked may prosper for a short time, they will face God’s eternal judgment. While we may suffer for a little while on earth, we will enjoy glory, peace, joy with Jesus forever in His kingdom. Hallelujah. We have reasons to praise God always. Whenever we get up in the morning, we may say “Hallelujah” for God grants us a wonderful day to live for the glory of God. Whenever we greet each other, we may say “Hallelujah” for God saves us from sin and death. When we are asked to do something, we may “Hallelujah” for God grants us Mission to do for his glory. Whenever we face some hardships, we may say “Hallelujah” for God will discipline us to grow in faith. Hallelujah!
Look at verse 3-5. The great multitude shouted “Hallelujah!” for God’s judgment against Babylon is final, irreversible and permanent. Then 24 elders and the 4 living creatures give full affirmation to God’s righteous judgment, crying “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small” (5). This voice calls all of His servants to praise God. We owe God every praise and worship for God is the creator. Psalm 150:6 says “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” It is what we ought to do as God’s creatures. It is true that giving praise and worship is a privilege and an honor given to His servants. Only those who know who God is and what God has done for them; Only those who love Him with all their hearts and serve Him with selfless devotion and sacrifice can sing praise with a new song. Thank God for NJ praise and worship Team who leads us to open our hearts to praise and worship God! Each member of the Dream Team may come to know God and praise God with a new song. All God’s servant may praise God!
Second, The wedding of the Lamb has come (6-10)
John heard another sound of praise to God. It sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder. Again, what do they praise about? Look at verses 6. They shouted “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” It seems Handel was greatly inspired by Revelation. In “Messiah” composed by Handel, there is the famous “Hallelujah” Chorus. Many might wonder if God really reigns since we are under the influence of Babylon the Great. It seems like the kings, the merchants –business men, the politicians are the world’s important people who reign the world. But, it is our lord God Almighty who reigns. It will be clear when Jesus comes again. After he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power, he will hand over the kingdom to God Almighty, so that God may be all in all. (1Cor15:28) God’s wrath has been completed. Now it is time for Jesus to come again, just as he had promised. This passage tells us about His coming again. It has 2 different aspects.
Firstly, Jesus is coming as the bridegroom for his Church. Let us read verses 7. “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.” Do you know what is waiting for God’s holy people after God’s righteous judgment has been completed? It is the wedding of the Lamb. The Lamb is the Bridegroom and he is coming to take his bride. The day, Jesus is coming, will be the most joyful and wonderful wedding day for God’s people, the bride of the Lamb. In John 14:2-3, Jesus said “… I am going (my Father’s house) to prepare a place for you? And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” This promise will be fulfilled the day he comes again.
Are you ready for the day? How can we make ourselves ready for this wedding, as a bride? I know How Sh. Angela had prepared herself for her wedding day. First of all, she had prepared it by faith in God Almighty, and then by much prayer. In such way, she presented herself as the most beautiful woman of faith. I am not sure about how she prepared the rest of the things. Surly God had blessed her faith and prayer to establish the wonderful house church by sending her bridegroom. What about us? How can we present ourselves as the bride? Look at verse 7b. It says “She has made herself ready.” It means through the time of the great tribulation, she has been faithful to Jesus (2:10,13; 13:10; 14:12; 17:14). She did not compromise with the sinful culture; she did not give in to fear of persecution, nor renounce Jesus’ name. She endured hardships, even to the point of death, and remained true to Jesus. She has come out of the great tribulation by faith in God and in the blood of Jesus. In this way, she presents herself as a woman of faith.
Look at verse 8a. She is also given “Fine linen, bright and clean” to wear. Her wedding dress is fine linen, bright and clean. This is not mere cloth garment. It is the righteous acts of God’s holy people (8b). Simply when we have faith in God who sent his son Jesus, this garment is given to us. The garment is the righteousness of Jesus that covers all our filthy shame, guilt and nakedness. Jesus alone can dress us with the righteousness for the wedding. We do not need to prepare 2bed room House, a Mercedes Benz, or PHD. All we need to do is be faithful to Jesus; stand firm in faith; let nothing move us; and give ourselves filly to the work of the Lord. (1Cor15:58) Then, Jesus will make us holy and blameless, without stain, wrinkle, or any other blemish (Eph 5:27), by washing us with his own blood. We will be most radiant and glorious bride for the Lamb. What a beautiful bride we will be! On the wedding day, we will see Jesus face to face (1Co 13:12). We will be united with Christ in a most intimate relationship eternally. Simply, we will be one with Christ as God and the son are one – Jesus in us and we in Jesus forever. This seems like a fairy tale. But it is certain to happen because it is promised by God, the Almighty Creator. This is why we can rejoice and be glad and give God the glory!
Look at verse 9a. “Then the angel said to John, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” This is for individual believers. Anyone who receives this invitation to the wedding of the Lamb is blessed. “Blessed” means happy, joyous, satisfied, and fulfilled. Who is blessed? Those who are invited. Literally, this means “called.” God calls or invites people by his sovereign grace. This invitation is now given to anyone who receive the gospel of Jesus by faith. They will enjoy the most delightful supper with Christ in the kingdom of God. We can be sure of this, for these are the true words of God (9b). You might wonder who can turn down such an invitation. Yet people do. They do every time by putting something else ahead of the Lord. Following or seeking something worthless, they despise God’s calling and go astray to do their own businesses. We cannot turn down such a blessing. We must do our best to seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness. We must have our heats filled with the joy of wedding in hope for the day we will see him face to face and unite with him. Anticipating the day of Jesus’ coming again, we can be glad and rejoice even in the time of great tribulation.
Look at verse 10. The angel was so holy, powerful, and dazzling that John fell at his feet to worship him. But immediately the angel said, “Don’t do that!… Worship God” We must not be fascinated or deluded by something or someone beautiful, great, or even marvelous. We must all focus on Christ Jesus and Worship God alone, no matter what.
Third, Jesus, King of kings and Lord of Lords (11-21)
In this passage, we can learn the other aspect of Jesus’ coming again. Look at verse 11. The rider on a white horse is Jesus, a worrier, a judge, a conquering King. No longer is Christ portrayed in humbleness — mounted on a donkey’s colt. He is coming with the fury of God to judge all his enemies with justice. We can find many names for him. The first name is: “Faithful and True.” This name identifies Jesus as the faithful shepherd who never abandons his people and also who will keep his promise to the end. His name “True” identifies him as the righteous judge. He will judge and wage war, holding the truth of the word of God. His judgment will be true. His war will be fought for the truth of God against all falsehoods. His eyes like blazing fire affirm that he sees and judges human hearts. Many crowns on his head indicate his legitimate kingly authority (12a).
In verse 13 we find another name: The Word of God. The Word of God indicates his person and works. He created all things by his word, and he teaches God’s truth to people. He strikes down nations with the word of God which Come out of his mouth. (15a; 2Th 2:8). He also judges his enemies by the words of God. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood. The blood is not his won. He has fought many bloody battles against his enemies and defeated them. (Is63:2-3) In this way he identifies as the divine warrior who carries out vengeance on behalf of his people.
In verses 14-16 Christ has this name: King of kings and Lord of lords. This King is followed by the armies of heaven (14a). His people are soldiers of Christ who engage in battle against rebel forces. His people ride white horses and are dressed in fine linen, white and clean (14b). He will rule them with an iron scepter as prophesied in Psalm 2:9. The iron scepter is a symbol of destruction to his enemies and protection to his people. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty (15b). On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (16). He is the Sovereign Ruler who triumphs over all enemies.
Verses 17-18 describe the great supper of God. This supper contrasts with the wedding supper of the Lamb. John saw an angel standing in the sun. He called all the birds to a great meal. The menu would be the flesh of kings, generals, the mighty, horses and riders, and of people great and small, free and slave. This is a horrific supper. These people are enemies of God who refused to repent to the very end.
Verses 19-21 tell us about the final battle at Armageddon, first mentioned in 16:16. The beast, the kings of the earth and their armies gather together to wage war against the Lamb and his army. But the beast is captured, and with it the false prophet (20a). The beast and false prophet are thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur–their final destiny (20b). There they will be tormented forever. The rest of the rebels were killed with the sword coming out of Christ’s mouth. Their flesh became a feast for all the birds (21).
This is a gruesome image, but the message is clear: Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, is coming as a judge, a worrier to destroy the evil. The day of Jesus’ coming will be the day of destruction for All of God’s enemies.
“Hallelujah!” Babylon whom people depend or trust or worship or serve will fall for God has condemned her with his righteousness. God will set us free from her and lead us to salvation. “Hallelujah!” Salvation, glory and power belong to our God. “Hallelujah!” Jesus, our bridegroom, is coming. “Hallelujah” Jesus, king of kings and Lord of Lords, will destroy all his enemies and throw them into the lake of fire. Hallelujah. The Lamb is coming to take us to Home. Let us be faithful to Jesus; Stand firm in our faith; Have faith in God; Hold fast the gospel of Jesus. So, we may make ourselves ready for His coming.