LESSON 22

After the interlude describing the fall of ecclesiastical and commercial Babylon, John hears heaven celebrating because God’s justice is being meted out. The multitude shouts, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God” (19:1). The word Hallelujah, or “Alleluia,” is a transliteration of a Hebrew phrase that means “praise the Lord.” God is being praised because of what fact in 19:2a?

Then, John hears what sounds like a vast crowd shouting. It is like the sound of many waters (an ocean) and the rumbling of loud thunder (19:6a–b). What do the voices shout (19:6c–d)?

Now, we come to the fourth of seven beatitudes (“blesseds”) in the book of Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). The angel says to John, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (19:9a–b). This supper is by invitation only. The Bride is the church collectively. However, individual believers are there because they have accepted what invitation of Christ to people burdened with the guilt of their sin (Matthew 11:28).

The marriage of the Lamb has come and “his Bride has made herself ready” (19:7b). Jesus referred to Himself as a Groom, as recorded in three gospels (Mt 9:15; Mk 2:19–20; Lk 5:34–35). John the Baptist also referred to Jesus as a Groom (Jn 3:29). The loud voices shout that Christ’s bride is ready because she has clothed “herself with fine linen, bright and pure” (19:8). In Ephesians 5:27, we discover the reason for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It was to present His church to Himself in what condition?

The Second Coming is confusing to many because the Bible says living believers will meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:17). However, what does Zechariah 14:4a declare?

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood (19:13a). This probably represents the blood of His enemies. The name by which he is called is The Word of God (19:13b). There is no confusion about the identity of the rider. This is because John also writes: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Jn 1:1). Then, how does John identify the Word in John 1:14a?

Following Jesus are the armies of heaven dressed in fine linen, white and pure (19:14). Their clothes are not bloody like their king’s robe because they will only be observers, not participants, in the coming battle. John explains: From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations (19:15a). The voice that spoke and created the world (Jn 1:3), the voice that atoms, molecules, and planets obey, will now speak. At that instant, His enemies will be destroyed. Then, he will rule them with a rod of iron (19:15a–b). How does Psalm 2:9 describe this event?

He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty (19:15c). A winepress is a large vat in which grapes are stomped and crushed to make wine. It is a picture of God’s judgment (Isa. 63:3–6). To indicate Christ’s total sovereignty, what is written on His robe and thigh (19:16b)?

Therefore, John sees the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army (19:19). However, they are powerless before the returning Christ. As a result, according to the last phrase of verse 20, what happens to the beast and his false prophet?

Those who followed the beast will be slain with the mouth of Christ, and birds will eat their dead bodies (19:21). The rest of the lost dead are in Hades, awaiting the Great White Throne Judgment that determines the degree of their eternal punishment (20:11–12). However, for whom did God originally prepare the lake of fire, according to Jesus (Matthew 25:41)?