Revelation 19

Revelation 19:1

Here’s the question: Would you rather have dinner or be dinnerfor that, ultimately, is the issue raised here in chapter 19 in the account of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven, and the feast of the fowls at Armageddon. One is glorious and beautiful, the other bloody and brutal. Reservations are now being taken. You will be at one or the other. I highly recommend the first… Chapter 19 takes place after the destruction of Babylonthe political and commercial epicenter of the world. The world says there’s an alternative to salvation. They call it optimism. “There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow,” they sing. “Inch by inch, anything’s a cinch,” they say. “If it’s to be, it’s up to me,” they declarenot realizing that nothing short of salvation will truly alter the tribulation that threatens them daily. The people on earth wail following the destruction of Babylon. But heaven rejoices. Why? Because, although the natural tendency of people is to say, “Wasn’t that a bit brutal, Lord? Did You really have to drop hundred-pound hailstones? Wouldn’t thirty-pounders have done the job? What are You doing, Lord? Why do You allow such difficulty, tragedy, pain?” chapter 19 shows us there is no such questioning in heaven. It’s not because there’s a “No Questioning Allowed” sign in heavenbut because in heaven, the full picture becomes clear. And that which seemed to be so terrible, painful, and unnecessary on earth will seem brilliant, perfect, and righteous from the vantage of heaven. The same is true regarding trials in our lives presently. Why doesn’t the Lord just show us the whole story now? Because He is teaching you and me to walk by faith and not by sight. Why? Because He knows that developing faith in you and me is absolutely necessary in light of what we will be doing throughout eternity.

Revelation 19:3

“Amen” means “so be it.” “Alleluia” means “praise the Lord.” Interestingly, “Amen” and “Alleluia” are the only universally known words. That is, they are understood in every language, by every culture. The eldersor mature onesare those who say, “So be it. Praise the Lord.”

Revelation 19:5

Handel’s inspired and glorious Hallelujah Chorus draws from this text.

Revelation 19:7

It’s not a list of things to do that prepares us for the Marriage Feast. It’s an embracing of what the Lamb has done. The Wedding Feast A Topical Study of Rev_19:7 This being June, we find ourselves well into another wedding season. But no wedding can hold a candle to the wedding in the passage before us. Following the description of the Tribulation in Revelation chapters 6-19, we come to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. “Wait a minute,” you say, “if the Book of Revelation does, indeed, flow in chronological order, since the church is raptured in chapter 4 to begin her seven-year honeymoon with the Lord, why does the marriage feast not take place until chapter 19?” The answer lies in an understanding of the Jewish marriage tradition, which comprised three stages… The Engagement Historically, Jewish children would often be engaged by the age of two or threesometimes before they were even born. That is, families that shared the same values and social standing would say, “If you have a daughter and I have a son, let’s agree right now that they will marry each other.” You see, the Jewish people looked at marriage as far too important to be left up to the decision-making skills of young adults. So it was up to the father specifically to arrange with other fathers to whom his son or daughter would be engaged. Scripture does record a few cases when men chose their own brides. But each of these marriages ended in heartache or disaster… Against his father’s wishes, Esau married an Ishmaelite (Gen_28:8-9). Jacob fell in love with Rachel at first sight, but ended up working for her for seven years before unknowingly marrying her sister (Genesis 29). Samson “loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah” (Jdg_16:4). Since the result of a man choosing his own wife without the directive of his father often resulted in tragedy or difficulty, it became the norm for the father to select his child’s spouse. Betrothal The engagement led to the betrothalusually between the ages of twelve and fifteen for a young lady. At this point, bride and groom would perhaps meet for the first time, as the father of the groom would negotiate the bride price. The price would be based upon three variables. First, it would be predicated upon the father’s wealth. If the father of the groom was a rich man, he would pay a high price so as not to look like a cheapskate. Second, the price would be determined by the bride’s worth. If she was attractive or otherwise gifted, her bride price would be higher. Thirdly, the price was based upon the groom’s work. That is, in some cases it was up to the groom to pay the price… Because Jacob chose his own bride, he paid for her himself with seven years’ labor (Gen_29:18). “He who marries my daughter must conquer the enemy city of Kirjath-sepher,” declared Caleb. Othniel took the challenge and won (see Jos_15:16-17). A Gentile named Shechem who fell in love with Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, was informed her price would be the circumcision of himself and all of the men in his city as a sign of identification with the Jews (Gen_34:15-16). A portion of the bride price would go to the bride to use as security in the event she was widowed or divorced. This explains why Rachel and Leah accused their uncle, Laban, of “devouring their money” (see Gen_31:15). The remainder of the bride price went to the bride’s father in compensation for the fact that, unlike a son, his daughter wouldn’t be able to carry on his name, help defend him, or take over the family business. After at least a portion of the bride price was laid upon the table, a contract would be signed to further validate the agreement. Then, the prospective bride and groom would sip from a single cup of wine, at which point they were legally betrothed. For the following year, the couple would not drink of the vine nor live together. The bride would begin to wear a veil, signifying that she was “taken.” She would also begin to prepare her wedding dress, sometimes from material provided by the groom (Eze_16:10). Meanwhile, the groom would begin construction on what is called in Hebrew “a little mansion"a room built onto his father’s house. When the father decided the preparations were complete, his son, wearing a crown, would be sent off to his wedding (Son_3:11). Wedding Although the bride didn’t know the exact day of her wedding, she knew it would most likely be in autumn to allow for the completion of harvest, and that it would most likely be on a Wednesday. Wednesday was the day couples got married because Thursday was the day the courts were opened. If it was discovered on her wedding day that the bride was not a virgin, she could easily be divorced the next day. As the preparation of her “little mansion” neared completion, the bride would begin to gather her friends to await the arrival of her groom. On the day of his wedding, the groom and his friendsparticularly his best manwould walk through the streets with trumpets blaring, taking the most circuitous route to the bride’s house. Already attired in her wedding dress, when the bride heard the sounding of the trumpet, she would arise and receive a blessing from her father. Then she would run out the door to be met by the groom in the streets. Together, they would make their way to the four-postered canopy under which they would be married. The ceremony itself consisted not of vows, which were Roman and Greek in tradition, but simply a reading of the contract that had been drawn up a year before, along with a blessing. The procession would then continue on to the “little mansion,” where the best man would stand outside the door while the marriage was consummated. Why would he stand outside the door? To wait for word from the groom that the bride was a virginas evidenced by a blood-spotted bed-sheet. If the bride were, indeed, a virgin, the wedding celebration would continue for seven days. If not, the guests would go home, and the bride would face either divorce or death by stoning. Although seven days spent in an addition to one’s father’s house while friends and family partied just outside the door may not sound like the ideal honeymoon to us, but in the Jewish culture, being waited on for a week was glorious. You see, this would be the only time in their entire lives when the bride and groom would do no labor. Remember, there were no vacations in those daysno holiday cruises, no jets, no Maui. The one and only time people were able to kick back was during their marriage week. During this week, the bride would never be seen. The groom, on the other hand, would occasionally come out and greet the guests before bringing back food and gifts to his bride. After seven days, the groom would present his bride to his family, friends, and communityat which time the marriage feast would begin. Looking again at this process, it becomes a picture-perfect analogy of our Bridegroom’s relationship with us… Just as the Jewish father chose whom his child would marry, it’s mind-boggling to realize that our heavenly Father elected us to be the bride for His Son (1Pe_1:2). As proof of this intent, He paid the bride price, based first upon His wealth. How rich is God? Neither all the gold in the world nor all of the galaxies in the universe would begin to reflect His wealth. Instead, the “bride price” God paid for us was something of which He had only one: His Son (Joh_3:16). Second, the price had to be according to the bride’s worth. The story is told of an Arabian man who had one daughter so plain he doubted anyone would ever want to marry her. One day, however, he received word that a man from a distant village was so taken with her that he was coming to see him with bride price in hand. Prepared to take whatever he was offered, imagine the father’s surprise when the visitor offered him six cows for his daughter’s hand. Six cows! thought the father in amazement. “The highest price ever paid in this village has been three cows!” So it was that the father gave his daughter’s hand in marriage. Two years later, the daughter and her husband returned to her home village, where everyone was startled by her exquisite beauty. “How is she so beautiful?” they wondered. The answer was simple: Because her husband saw her as worth six cows, a six-cow beauty is what she became. That’s how God views me. I don’t understand it, but I rejoice in the fact that God looks at me and says, “I am in love with you so passionately that I’ll give everything to bring you into the kingdom in order that you might live with Me forever and ever throughout eternity.” To this end, God gave not six cows or even six galaxiesHe gave Himself. Third, the bride price was determined by the groom’s work. Jesus outdid Jacob five-fold when He labored on earth as a Man for thirty-three years. And He not only conquered a city, as did Othniel, but He conquered the whole world when He thrust Himself into the very heart of hell to pay the price for my sin (Eph_4:9). Finally, when God became Man to identify with us in the Incarnation, it was an infinitely greater step than Shechem took to identify with the Jews, for Jesus was not only afflicted momentarily, but was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev_13:8). The bride price paid, just as a contract was signed and a cup of wine shared by the bride and groom in a Jewish betrothal, we hold in our hands the “contract” of the Word of God, along with Jesus’ promise that He would not drink of the cup again until He did so with us in the kingdom (Mat_26:29). And as a bride wore a veil that, although it obscured her vision, signified her relationship with the groom, so at present we see through a glass darkly, but shall one day see our Bridegroom clearly (1Co_13:12). Like the Jewish bride whose wedding dress was made from material provided by her groom, we are invited to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom_13:14) and robe ourselves in His righteousness (Isa_61:10). Like the groom who added a “little mansion” to his father’s house, Jesus went to His Father’s house to prepare a place for us (Joh_14:2). Then, at the time appointed by the Father, the Son, wearing many crowns (Rev_19:12), will come for us, His bride (Mar_13:32). Like the Jewish bride, we don’t know the day or hour of His return, but like her, we know the season (1Th_5:1). We understand the place of Israel, the problems in Jerusalem, the coming together of the European Union. We understand from Bible prophecy that the Lord’s coming is near, even at the very door (Mar_13:29). Thus, like the Jewish bride, we ready ourselves for the day we will hear the trumpet and the shout (1Th_4:16), before we are caught up to meet the Lord, not on earth, but in the clouds (1Th_4:17). In the context of a Jewish wedding, John’s position as “friend of the bridegroom” (Joh_3:29) and his message of repentance in preparation for the coming Bridegroom (Mat_3:3) becomes clear. “Therein lies the problem,” you say. “If the marriage is to be validated on my purity, I deserve only divorce or stoning because I sin miserably; I mess up constantly; I fail continually.” Good News! The validation of our relationship with our Bridegroom doesn’t depend on our sinlessness, but on His. It is the vesture dipped in His blood (Rev_19:13) that allows us to be presented to Him without spot or wrinkle (Eph_5:27). You mean we don’t have to clean up our act, do this, or accomplish that? No, Jesus said blessed are those who are simply watching for His coming (Rev_16:15), blessed are those who realize the price has been paid, the work done. Precious people, that’s what true Christianity consists of, marveling at the love of the Father and of the Son for me and for you. We then are afforded a glorious honeymoon with Himnot for seven days, but for seven years as He serves us, His bride, in heaven (Luk_12:37). At the end of seven years, we come back to earth with Him in the Second Coming (Rev_19:14) where, at the marriage feast of the Lamb, we are presented as His bride forever and ever. And that is why we see the marriage feast in Revelation 19 rather than in chapter 4. The analogy is perfect. Dear friend, if you have said, “Lord, I know I have sinned and failed, but I believe You love me and that You paid the price for me,” Rejoice! Be glad! Celebrate! In the Lord’s sight, you are a six-cow woman, a beautiful, glorious bride.

Revelation 19:8

In the Book of Isaiah, we see what “the righteousness of saints” is… I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.Isa_61:10 It’s not my righteousness that saves me, for Isaiah goes on to say that my righteousness is as filthy rags (Isa_64:6). No, it’s the robe of righteousness the Lord places around me that affords me entrance to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:9

At this point, John is so blown away by seeing the bride, that he falls at the feet of the angelic messenger. “Don’t worship me. I’m just a fellow servant,” the angel declares. Throughout the Gospels we see people worshiping Jesus… Peter fell down and worshiped Him, saying, “Depart from me. I’m a sinful man” (see Luk_5:8). Thomas said, “My Lord and my God” (Joh_20:28). Yet Jesus never says, “Don’t worship Me. I’m just an angel.” Therefore, the contention of the Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness that Jesus is nothing more than an angel is completely erroneous. Jesus receives worship because He is more than an angel. He is God Incarnate.

Revelation 19:11

It is only in the Book of Revelation that we see the door of heaven open. In chapter 4, verse Rev_4:1, the door is opened for the entrance of the raptured church. Here in chapter 19, the door is opened for the exit of the church seven years later when she returns to earth with Jesus at His Second Coming. Based on 1Co_3:12-13, I used to think there would be a great big oven in heaven, a kiln of some sort into which all my works would be shoveled. The wood, hay, and stubble would burn while the gold, silver, and precious stones would remain. But in light of our text, I no longer expect an oven. Instead, I expect Jesus will just look at me, and everything in my life that is worthless will ignite and disappear. I’ve got cords of wood, bales of hay, truckloads of stubbleand I’m so thankful that with one look from my Lord, they will all go up in smoke. “Take your only son to Mount Moriah,” God commanded Abraham (see Gen_22:2). God didn’t even acknowledge Ishmael as Abraham’s son because, while Isaac was the product of God’s faithfulness, Ishmael was a product of Abraham’s flesh. I love this because most of us have a bunch of Ishmaels running aroundthings we’ve done in our flesh, trying to help God. But God doesn’t even acknowledge them. Glorious, indeed, will be the day when He’ll look at me with His eyes of fire, warming my heart and melting the junk. Perhaps the “many crowns” in this passage signify all of the denominations within the church who crown Jesus Lord. After all, the leaders of some churches wear big hats and sprinkle water on people. The leaders of other churches wear fancy suits and slicked-back hair. The leaders of other churches wear baseball hats and Birkenstocks. But guess what. God has His people in the congregations of every one of them as He breaks through the barriers that divide them and makes Himself known. Name speaks of nature. Thus, this verse suggests that, due to the fact that there’s a part of Him that is not understood by any but Himself, we will be amazed when we see Jesus because none of us knows Him presently the way we will know Him eventually. The neat thing is that we will spend eternity exploring the nuances of His nature, astounded by His beauty, awed by His holiness, amazed at His love that we only see “through a glass darkly” this side of heaven (1Co_13:12).

Revelation 19:13

It’s His blood that cleanses me from my impurity and washes me from my stupidity. I am pure not because of my efforts, but because Jesus died for me.

Revelation 19:14

The door in heaven is open and, clothed in white linen, here we come with the Lordnot to fight, but rather to observe Him secure the victory.

Revelation 19:15

I’ve seen artists render this scene with a literal sword protruding from the mouth of the Lord. I don’t believe such is the proper view. I believe the “sharp sword” that comes forth from His mouth is simply the Word He speakssharper than any two-edged sword (Heb_4:12).

Revelation 19:16

Here is Dinner Number Two. If you don’t want to take part of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb, you’ll be part of this horrendous “supper of the great God.”

Revelation 19:19

The armies of the world gather in the plain of Jezreel, the valley in northern Israel called the Valley of Megiddothe place we know as Armageddon. Two hundred million men have come from the East; Antichrist is storming into Jerusalem to secure his power base. According to Daniel 11, the South, which would include the Pan African nations and the Arab states banded together, also head toward Israel, to which the Northern armies come from Europe. They all converge to fight one another. But as the battle begins, everyone looks up and sees One whose eyes are like fire, crowned with many crowns, riding a white horse, leading an innumerable army. And suddenly, all of the weapons of all earth’s armies are turned upon this Onewhich was Satan’s intention all along.

Revelation 19:20

Reading this chapter, I realized if it were up to me, I would have spent more time on Jesus’ Second Coming. I mean, we have been building up to this moment for a long time. Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 all were about tribulation. You’ve read through studies on seven seals followed by seven trumpets followed by seven vials. You’ve studied plagues, pests, and problems; suffering, scorching, and sorrow; heartache, earthquakes, and death. And finally we come to the culmination of the Tribulationthe glorious Second Comingonly to have it wrapped up in one short chapter. If I were writing this, I would have reversed it. I would have described the Tribulation in one chapter, and the second coming in thirteen. Why didn’t John do this? Because, although the Book of Revelation does, indeed, deal with the mark of the Beast, the Common Market, and everything else that relates to current eventswe must never forget it was written by a real-life pastor named John who ministered to the people of seven real churches who were being fed to lions, dipped in hot wax, sawn in half lengthwise, and crucified upside down. By conservative estimates, six million would die before the persecution ended. In light of this, through seal after trumpet after vial, Pastor John assures his congregation that life is brutal, painful, and bloody. Why? Because when Adam and Eve fell, the whole world fell with them. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.Rom_8:22 We look at the mountains in awe and are enraptured by the beauty of a wooded stream. Nature, on the other hand, groans, knowing what it was before the Fall. That is why when the King comes back the mountains will break forth into song, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands (Isa_55:12). It used to be that man would walk with God in the cool of the day, talking to Him without having to break through, press in, or hold on. Everything was right. Then came the Fall, and nothing was ever right again. There is a solution, however. It’s called salvation. And nowhere is salvation more clearly framed than at the table of Communion. I believe Pastor John was warning his people that even in the midst of their own tribulation, if they ate of the marriage feast as seen in the first half of chapter 19, they would be able to navigate the Armageddon of the second half. David said the same thing when he said, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” (Psa_23:5). So, too, even though you may be surrounded by disappointments, pain, and the presence of enemiesthere’s a table set before you that will restore your soul and allow you to face tribulation without being shot down or wiped out. Many Christians are unable to navigate tribulation well because, although they have knowledge of the Word, they lack the intimacy with the Lord that takes place at the Communion table. While the techniques of teaching and ways of worship have changed, one thing has remained constant for all believers throughout church history: communion. Century after century, the church has understood that the Eucharist is vital for survival. Presently, however, we come dangerously close to substituting Bible study for the Lord’s table. The solution to catastrophe is not optimism. It’s salvation. And the way to salvation is not through intellectual understanding. The way to salvation is through spiritual intimacy, illustrated most clearly when we eat and drink of Jesusthe most intimate kind of worship possible. Whether you partake of the Lord’s table with your family at home or at the church, don’t ignore Communion, dear saint. Being one with Jesus is that which will see you through any Armageddon that lies right around the bend. In due season, our Lord will, indeed, come again, and there will be no more battle whatsoever. In the meantime, He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.