Revelation Chapter 19:
In chapter 18: 20, the saints in heaven are told to rejoice because the corrupt city of Babylon has been thrown down and will be found no more at all. This is a call for rejoicing that righteousness has triumphed over sin, and it brings forth a mighty paean of praise from a great multitude in heaven, proclaiming “Alleluia; salvation, glory and power of our God, for true and righteous are His judgments.” The word, “Alleluia” is a word that expresses the utmost honor and praise. It is used four times in the first six verses of our chapter, and these are the only times it is found in the New Testament. The meaning of “Alleluia” is “Praise ye Jah, or Jehovah,” and it is found twenty-four times in the Old Testament, where it is translated, “Praise the Lord.” (See Psalms 106: l and Psalms 146-150.) We frequently hear this word used by people, saved and unsaved, in a flippant way, but it should never be spoken other than in the highest form of praise to our God.
“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) God avenges the blood of His servants at this time, and notice that this judgment lasts forever. The city of Babylon will be no more, but the sinners of that city will spend eternity in the lake of fire.
Next, the twenty-four elders and four living creatures, overcomers of the Old Testament and of the Church (body of Christ), fall down and worship God in agreement with Him in all He does, saying Alleluia, giving Him great honor. Following their praise, all of His servants will be told to praise Him, and verse 6 describes the praise that comes from everyone in heaven, sounding “as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying Alleluia, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.” The word “Omnipotent” means “Almighty,” and reveals God as the Absolute and universal Sovereign. What a glorious time of rejoicing that will be! All in heaven rejoice, not only because sin has been judged, but also because it is now time for the marriage of the Lamb. This great event could not take place before the culmination of judgment upon sin drew near.
The words, “is come” in verse 7 signifies a completed act. In God’s great plan of salvation, the marriage of His Son has been completed since the foundation of the world! This was in God’s mind when He formed a woman from Adam’s rib and brought her to Adam to be his helpmeet. Adam said of her: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:23, 24) This is quoted in Ephesians 5:30, 31, with the following words, “This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Verse 32)
Also, note verses 25 and 26 of Ephesians 5, which tell us that Christ gave Himself for the Church “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” So, will the whole Church (which includes every believer from the time of Jesus’ resurrection until His return for the rapture) be included in the group of believers which make up the bride of the Lamb? Our verse in Revelation 19:7 states that His wife has made herself ready. The word “ready” means, “To get ready, prepared, to be adjusted, fit.” In Ephesians 5 we read that Jesus desired to sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of the water by the Word, that it would not have spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it would be holy and without blemish. In order to be adjusted, prepared and fit for this great honor of becoming the bride of Christ, there must be cleansing by the Word. There must be the willingness to allow Christ to wash out the spots and iron out the wrinkles of our lives.
Now even as Christ gave His life for the sins of the world, and all who believe on Him may be saved; yet, it is only a few who will believe and receive this great salvation. Jesus said, “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at; because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Even so, that same principle is true concerning believers allowing Jesus to sanctify, cleanse, and prepare them for this place of honor in being a part of that company of saints who will make up His bride. Those are the ones mentioned in Romans 8: 17 as “joint-heirs with Christ.” All children of God are heirs of God, but only those willing to suffer with Him—as this and many other scriptures affirm—will be glorified together with Him and reign with Him on the throne as His wife.
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne.” (Revelation 3: 21) Oh, what a glorious hope is set before every believer, and what a rejoicing the realization of this hope will bring to all in heaven when this time finally comes!
There are three major aspects of weddings in Bible times, of which there is a beautiful parallel here:
Note that the four living creatures are not mentioned as such after this time, for they have now become the wife of the Lamb! The fine linen in which she arrays herself (which is the meaning of “being arrayed” of v. 8) is the “righteousnesses”, or righteous acts, of the saints. God told Israel to do His statutes, “And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us.” (Deuteronomy 6:25) In Ephesians 2: 10, we read that we were created unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. And in 2 Timothy 2:16-17, we read that all scripture is given to us, “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” So God has provided a way for us to walk in good works, or righteous acts; and, if we will do so, our lives will become adjusted and fit for these fine linen garments.
Concerning linen, the Americana Encyclopedia states that flax which is made into linen must go through four different stages before it becomes the beautiful material from which garments are made. Following is a list of these stages, along with the spiritual parallels:
Fermentation means a chemical change or transformation. The Apostle Paul said, “But we all, with open eyes, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed (Greek, transformed) into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3: 18) As the believer continues to “soak” in the Word, he beholds the glory of the Lord and is thus transformed into the image of Christ by the Spirit of the Lord—not by his own efforts. Yet it is only as we yield to the working of the Spirit that He does this. He does not force Himself on us.
The marriage supper of the Lamb will be held in heaven at the end of the Tribulation and just prior to Jesus’ return to the earth to fight for His people on earth at what is called the battle of Armageddon. Verse 9 of our chapter says that those who are called, or invited, to this marriage supper are blessed. This no doubt refers to the Old Testament overcomers who are in heaven, as well as ones who have gone to heaven during the 7 years’ Tribulation. They will be the guests at the wedding. I believe the non-overcomers of the Church (the great multitude of chapter 7) will be there as servants (verse 5 and Revelation 7:15).
John again falls to his feet to worship the one telling him of these events, but is told that he is a fellow believer and not to be worshipped. The last phrase of verse 10 is a powerful statement concerning all prophecy, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Any prophecy that does not testify of and reveal Jesus Christ in all His beauty and glory is not true prophecy. “Testimony” means “a bearing witness of,” and true prophecy bears witness of Jesus. Note that this is said immediately following the marriage of the Lamb, which shows that this event is the center and apex of prophecy concerning the Lamb of God.
The next scene is one of Jesus as a mighty Warrior coming down from heaven on a white horse with great power and glory. He is called Faithful, True and Righteous, which is in contrast to the rider on the white horse of chapter 6:2 who came to deceive and destroy, the anti-Christ. Jesus’ eyes are as a flame of fire (even as He is seen in chapter 1:14), which enables Him to pierce into the very depths of the hearts of those He has come to judge, and thus His judgments are righteous. The many crowns on His head are “diadems,” which is the crown of a king. This shows that He is the rightful King of all nations. The name written that no man knows but Himself probably refers to the name mentioned to the overcomers of the Philadelphia church in chapter 3: 12. That group of believers is representative of the overcomers of the Church, the bride of Christ, and His wife will be with Him when He comes to the earth at this time.
Jesus’ vesture (His outer garment) is dipped in blood. Isaiah 63:1-6 describes this day of vengeance of the Lord, saying, “Their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments and I will stain all my raiment.” His name is called the Word of God, which is what He has been called from before time began: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Man is fickle and is constantly changing, but our Lord never changes. Praise His name!
The armies of verse 14 are no doubt all of His saints in heaven. Jude told us of these in Jude 14 and 15: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed.” These armies are also on white horses, indicating a victorious army. They are clothed in white linen, which shows that they are righteous and pure. These horses, as well as the one Jesus is said to be on, could possibly be literal horses—remember the horses and chariots of fire that Elisha saw when Elijah was taken up into heaven in 2 Kings 2:11. And also, we read of them in 2 Kings 6:17. However, I tend to believe that the horses of Revelation 6 are symbolic, and these in our present chapter are probably symbolic also, showing the power and victory in which Jesus and His army come to the earth at this time.
This coming of Jesus is described in Matthew 24:27-31. This is when every eye shall see Him (Revelation 1:7). His coming at this time is to fight the nations that have become so corrupt. He will smite them with the sharp sword that goes out of His mouth. Again, this speaks symbolically, for according to Isaiah 11:4, “He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.” The power of His Word was manifest in the garden of Gethsemane when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus and He said to them, “I AM HE.” The soldiers immediately went backward and fell to the ground! The phrase, “He shall rule them with a rod of iron” means His rule will be one of absolute authority. Righteousness will reign and sin will not be permitted to be manifest.
This will be the culmination of the judgment upon the nations because of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Jesus will truly manifest Himself as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. This is the fulfillment of Daniel 2:35. Jesus’ kingdom will fill the whole earth at that time. We read in Isaiah 13:9: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” It seems that Jesus will go first to Edom (Bozrah) (Isaiah 34:6-8), then to Mt. Megiddo (Revelation 16:16), then to Jerusalem and the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 12). Next, His feet will stand on the Mt. Of Olives (Zechariah 14:2-4). We cannot be sure of this sequence of events, but it seems likely, from these scriptures.
Verses 17 and 18 of our chapter describe the terrible carnage that will result from this warfare. Neither wealth, prestige, nor any of man’s attainments will preserve him from this destruction. It will come to all who have dared to stand against the God of heaven. Ezekiel 39:17-22 seems to speak of this same time as described in our chapter. Note verse 22: “…. so the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord from that day and forward.” This is the time the believing remnant of Israel will acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah and accept Him as their King. (Zechariah 12: 10)
Then the anti-Christ and false prophet will both be cast alive into the lake of fire. This horrible place that was prepared for the devil and his angels will be occupied by these two men who sold themselves out to the devil and deceived the whole world, then attempted to destroy even the Son of God! What audacity! These two men will experience the lake of fire one thousand years before the other sinners will be cast there. However, all of those who are left on the earth after the many judgments God has sent will at this time be slain by Jesus, and all the fowls will be filled with their flesh. What an awesome picture!
“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) God avenges the blood of His servants at this time, and notice that this judgment lasts forever. The city of Babylon will be no more, but the sinners of that city will spend eternity in the lake of fire.
Next, the twenty-four elders and four living creatures, overcomers of the Old Testament and of the Church (body of Christ), fall down and worship God in agreement with Him in all He does, saying Alleluia, giving Him great honor. Following their praise, all of His servants will be told to praise Him, and verse 6 describes the praise that comes from everyone in heaven, sounding “as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying Alleluia, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.” The word “Omnipotent” means “Almighty,” and reveals God as the Absolute and universal Sovereign. What a glorious time of rejoicing that will be! All in heaven rejoice, not only because sin has been judged, but also because it is now time for the marriage of the Lamb. This great event could not take place before the culmination of judgment upon sin drew near.
The words, “is come” in verse 7 signifies a completed act. In God’s great plan of salvation, the marriage of His Son has been completed since the foundation of the world! This was in God’s mind when He formed a woman from Adam’s rib and brought her to Adam to be his helpmeet. Adam said of her: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:23, 24) This is quoted in Ephesians 5:30, 31, with the following words, “This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Verse 32)
Also, note verses 25 and 26 of Ephesians 5, which tell us that Christ gave Himself for the Church “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” So, will the whole Church (which includes every believer from the time of Jesus’ resurrection until His return for the rapture) be included in the group of believers which make up the bride of the Lamb? Our verse in Revelation 19:7 states that His wife has made herself ready. The word “ready” means, “To get ready, prepared, to be adjusted, fit.” In Ephesians 5 we read that Jesus desired to sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of the water by the Word, that it would not have spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it would be holy and without blemish. In order to be adjusted, prepared and fit for this great honor of becoming the bride of Christ, there must be cleansing by the Word. There must be the willingness to allow Christ to wash out the spots and iron out the wrinkles of our lives.
Now even as Christ gave His life for the sins of the world, and all who believe on Him may be saved; yet, it is only a few who will believe and receive this great salvation. Jesus said, “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at; because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Even so, that same principle is true concerning believers allowing Jesus to sanctify, cleanse, and prepare them for this place of honor in being a part of that company of saints who will make up His bride. Those are the ones mentioned in Romans 8: 17 as “joint-heirs with Christ.” All children of God are heirs of God, but only those willing to suffer with Him—as this and many other scriptures affirm—will be glorified together with Him and reign with Him on the throne as His wife.
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne.” (Revelation 3: 21) Oh, what a glorious hope is set before every believer, and what a rejoicing the realization of this hope will bring to all in heaven when this time finally comes!
There are three major aspects of weddings in Bible times, of which there is a beautiful parallel here:
- There was a marriage contract by the parents, with payment of dowry. Read John 3: 16 and 2 Corinthians 11: 2. The dowry paid was the blood of Christ.
- The wedding ceremony followed, and the bridegroom proceeded to the home of the bride and escorted her to his home. This relates to Christ coming for His people at the rapture. Note John 14:2, 3 and Revelation 19:7, 8.
- The wedding feast, which is seen as the marriage supper of Revelation 19:9.
Note that the four living creatures are not mentioned as such after this time, for they have now become the wife of the Lamb! The fine linen in which she arrays herself (which is the meaning of “being arrayed” of v. 8) is the “righteousnesses”, or righteous acts, of the saints. God told Israel to do His statutes, “And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us.” (Deuteronomy 6:25) In Ephesians 2: 10, we read that we were created unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. And in 2 Timothy 2:16-17, we read that all scripture is given to us, “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” So God has provided a way for us to walk in good works, or righteous acts; and, if we will do so, our lives will become adjusted and fit for these fine linen garments.
Concerning linen, the Americana Encyclopedia states that flax which is made into linen must go through four different stages before it becomes the beautiful material from which garments are made. Following is a list of these stages, along with the spiritual parallels:
- The plant is separated from weeds and trash. Salvation separates the sinner from the world.
- The plant is then soaked in water to become soft. The believer becomes soft and pliable as he “soaks” in the water of the Word.
- The flax is then dried by lying in the sun. God allows the heat of trials to further perfect us.
- More soaking in water is involved to cause fermentation to take place.
Fermentation means a chemical change or transformation. The Apostle Paul said, “But we all, with open eyes, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed (Greek, transformed) into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3: 18) As the believer continues to “soak” in the Word, he beholds the glory of the Lord and is thus transformed into the image of Christ by the Spirit of the Lord—not by his own efforts. Yet it is only as we yield to the working of the Spirit that He does this. He does not force Himself on us.
The marriage supper of the Lamb will be held in heaven at the end of the Tribulation and just prior to Jesus’ return to the earth to fight for His people on earth at what is called the battle of Armageddon. Verse 9 of our chapter says that those who are called, or invited, to this marriage supper are blessed. This no doubt refers to the Old Testament overcomers who are in heaven, as well as ones who have gone to heaven during the 7 years’ Tribulation. They will be the guests at the wedding. I believe the non-overcomers of the Church (the great multitude of chapter 7) will be there as servants (verse 5 and Revelation 7:15).
John again falls to his feet to worship the one telling him of these events, but is told that he is a fellow believer and not to be worshipped. The last phrase of verse 10 is a powerful statement concerning all prophecy, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Any prophecy that does not testify of and reveal Jesus Christ in all His beauty and glory is not true prophecy. “Testimony” means “a bearing witness of,” and true prophecy bears witness of Jesus. Note that this is said immediately following the marriage of the Lamb, which shows that this event is the center and apex of prophecy concerning the Lamb of God.
The next scene is one of Jesus as a mighty Warrior coming down from heaven on a white horse with great power and glory. He is called Faithful, True and Righteous, which is in contrast to the rider on the white horse of chapter 6:2 who came to deceive and destroy, the anti-Christ. Jesus’ eyes are as a flame of fire (even as He is seen in chapter 1:14), which enables Him to pierce into the very depths of the hearts of those He has come to judge, and thus His judgments are righteous. The many crowns on His head are “diadems,” which is the crown of a king. This shows that He is the rightful King of all nations. The name written that no man knows but Himself probably refers to the name mentioned to the overcomers of the Philadelphia church in chapter 3: 12. That group of believers is representative of the overcomers of the Church, the bride of Christ, and His wife will be with Him when He comes to the earth at this time.
Jesus’ vesture (His outer garment) is dipped in blood. Isaiah 63:1-6 describes this day of vengeance of the Lord, saying, “Their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments and I will stain all my raiment.” His name is called the Word of God, which is what He has been called from before time began: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Man is fickle and is constantly changing, but our Lord never changes. Praise His name!
The armies of verse 14 are no doubt all of His saints in heaven. Jude told us of these in Jude 14 and 15: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed.” These armies are also on white horses, indicating a victorious army. They are clothed in white linen, which shows that they are righteous and pure. These horses, as well as the one Jesus is said to be on, could possibly be literal horses—remember the horses and chariots of fire that Elisha saw when Elijah was taken up into heaven in 2 Kings 2:11. And also, we read of them in 2 Kings 6:17. However, I tend to believe that the horses of Revelation 6 are symbolic, and these in our present chapter are probably symbolic also, showing the power and victory in which Jesus and His army come to the earth at this time.
This coming of Jesus is described in Matthew 24:27-31. This is when every eye shall see Him (Revelation 1:7). His coming at this time is to fight the nations that have become so corrupt. He will smite them with the sharp sword that goes out of His mouth. Again, this speaks symbolically, for according to Isaiah 11:4, “He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.” The power of His Word was manifest in the garden of Gethsemane when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus and He said to them, “I AM HE.” The soldiers immediately went backward and fell to the ground! The phrase, “He shall rule them with a rod of iron” means His rule will be one of absolute authority. Righteousness will reign and sin will not be permitted to be manifest.
This will be the culmination of the judgment upon the nations because of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Jesus will truly manifest Himself as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. This is the fulfillment of Daniel 2:35. Jesus’ kingdom will fill the whole earth at that time. We read in Isaiah 13:9: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” It seems that Jesus will go first to Edom (Bozrah) (Isaiah 34:6-8), then to Mt. Megiddo (Revelation 16:16), then to Jerusalem and the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 12). Next, His feet will stand on the Mt. Of Olives (Zechariah 14:2-4). We cannot be sure of this sequence of events, but it seems likely, from these scriptures.
Verses 17 and 18 of our chapter describe the terrible carnage that will result from this warfare. Neither wealth, prestige, nor any of man’s attainments will preserve him from this destruction. It will come to all who have dared to stand against the God of heaven. Ezekiel 39:17-22 seems to speak of this same time as described in our chapter. Note verse 22: “…. so the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord from that day and forward.” This is the time the believing remnant of Israel will acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah and accept Him as their King. (Zechariah 12: 10)
Then the anti-Christ and false prophet will both be cast alive into the lake of fire. This horrible place that was prepared for the devil and his angels will be occupied by these two men who sold themselves out to the devil and deceived the whole world, then attempted to destroy even the Son of God! What audacity! These two men will experience the lake of fire one thousand years before the other sinners will be cast there. However, all of those who are left on the earth after the many judgments God has sent will at this time be slain by Jesus, and all the fowls will be filled with their flesh. What an awesome picture!