This falls in with what we have seen of the book in general; but I do not deny that certain elements which figure in the Apocalypse then existed and still exist. The first were such as came out of heaven after Christ, being already raised from the dead and glorified. What does this particular rendition of God mean? This chapter explains how it was that Babylon was so offensive to God, and wherefore He judged her thus sternly. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. Verse By Verse Acts Through Revelation can be taken as capably as picked to act. 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse, and he who is mounted on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. It is the judgment of the dead as such, who now rise and give account of their deeds. Only God is Take this quite simply and literally. The church is the bride, John was forbidding angel worship; and that was a very necessary prohibition, for in the early church there was a well-nigh inevitable tendency to worship angels, a tendency which has never wholly disappeared. The spiritual power is wholly in the hands of the false prophet. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); Revelation 19:5 (1) And a voice came from the throne, saying, (2) "Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great." 1. Next comes the marriage of the Lamb to his bride. They received their power as kings when the beast ceased to exist. We had Babylon with a spuriously ecclesiastical but a really murderous character, and at the same time guilty of corruption with the kings of the earth. In presence of grace I do not think this is for His glory, any more than for their own blessing. (This takes you to our other website) I think that religion is a tremendous curse upon the earth. And there are times when the angel appears to John. These are not references to the merciful and benign reign of Christ through his saints on earth in the present dispensation, but to the final wrath and judgment of God upon the ungodly. Jesus Christ. of the world mean nothing to God. It is necessary that we should all bear in mind, if we have not observed it before, thatRevelation 17:1-18; Revelation 17:1-18 does not pursue the chronological course of the prophecy. Let us look at the different groups that are seen to have part in the first resurrection. essence of all true prophecy. 5. the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.". supreme in authority, and "God", which means supreme deity; you have an That is prophecy centers around the person of Jesus Christ. This city is seen now as the holy vessel of divine power for governing the earth during the millennium, "having the glory of God: and her brightness was like a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.". The answer: because it's the final book of the Bible. And as a result was thrown in jail in Egypt and was then released because of the family influence, and told to get out of the country for his own welfare or he would be put to death if he stayed. "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them (for he is Lord of lords and King of kings), and they that are with him, called, and chosen, and faithful.". Thus there is a completeness and perfection about it suited to its present character. This being so, it adds immense clearness in the understanding of the book. Verse 11 . Not that any of those judged (and the scene described is solely a resurrection of judgment) are said to be written there: we are shown rather that they were not found in that book. It is all plain and simple "the beast that was, and is not, and shall be present.". As any dream or vision has to be interpreted, so does Revelation. Religions tell you that you have to do certain things in order to please God. harlot), and avenging the blood of the martyrs (7:9-17). 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse, and he who is mounted on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. So vast is this group that they are without number. (19:6-9), are evidence of the Church being in heaven prior to the return of The salvation of God should awaken the gratitude of man; the glory of God should awaken the reverence of man; the power of God is always exercised in the love of God and should, therefore, awaken the trust of man. Idealists feel that Revelation relates primarily to the church between the first and second coming of Christ. It would have been incongruous to bring in that long description before, because this must have interrupted the flow of the prophetic stream. All the way along the fairness of God's judgment has been challenged.I don't know what God is going to do in a lot of cases. willing to be his in the day of his power. From the manner in which resurrection is referred to in scripture, does not God leave room for this? absence of the Church from the earth during the judgments of (Rev. And I think that this has been declared all the way through, because this is one of the areas that Satan constantly challenges concerning God, the fairness of God's judgments when he deals and meats out His judgments upon man. The political side of this is described here with surprising brightness and brevity. Afterwards we come to the description of itself, of its wall, its building, its foundations, and its gates. persecution are made the beasts provoking sins. And this is entirely confirmed byRevelation 17:1-18; Revelation 17:1-18, where it was told us that they are with Him when He comes. All is opened, and this because we have the Holy Ghost dwelling in us; "for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." ). It is not only that the angel corrects the act by asserting that he is a fellow-servant of him and of his brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. And there (or they) are seven kings." ", This chapter is one of the most dramatic in all the Bible. But it was no such evil which astounded the prophet. For who knows not the horrors of Mariolatry? Besides the bride thus arrayed, "He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the Lamb." He has many crowns, for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5; Psalms 2:9; Psalms 45). Then you may be very good all week long, and you put your little star behind each of the categories each evening. To the church the end is always near. He is arrayed in a vesture dipped in his own blood, by which he purchased his power as Mediator; and in the blood of his enemies, over . Hallelujah is a very common word in religious vocabulary but the only time it actually appears in Scripture is on the four occasions in this chapter. Scripture is positive in Isaiah 65:1-25 that death during the millennium only comes as a specific judgment because of open rebellion. It is "His story". And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as a voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ( Revelation 19:6 ). But now there is but one throne: Christ judges the dead. Blessed are those who are invited to the feast of the marriage of the Lamb!" "This is the first resurrection. the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse ( Revelation 19:21 ). It was said of a great preacher: "First he listened to God, then he spoke to men.". For instance, when Ptolemy entered Antioch he wore two crowns or diadems--one to show that he was lord of Asia and one to show that he was lord of Egypt ( 1Ma_11:13 ). Indeed it must be so, because, as we read in the end of the last chapter, there the lost were cast. He answers, "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God ( Revelation 19:1 ): The judgment of the earth, as far as God's wrath being poured out, has been completed on Babylon. 4:6). i. And then those men who have chosen to cast their lot with Satan in rebellion against God. which will take place on earth following the return of Christ (20:4; Matt. faith during the Tribulation (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Zech. "And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." He has condemned the great prostitute Presentation (the festivities, often lasting several days, that preceded the To us, as His soldiers, Christ says "As My Father has sent Me so send I you." In his cross and resurrection, Christ won a great victory over the powers of evil; by his second coming, he will execute that victory. Yes, all my gold stars, but Friday you blow it and you didn't get your prayer time in. There is the basis for my righteousness. distinctions. Lastly was the wedding ceremony during which time the vows were exchanged. So, He is coming to bring an end of man's rebellion. Here the vision was of thrones with sitters, and others caused to join them; and the inspired explanation is that it is the first resurrection the rising of the just from the dead. The mighty angel. The ambiguity springs from the fact that the testimony of Jesus can bear either of two meanings. Second, he alone has that purity which can judge without prejudice. (ii) It is suggested that the name is Y-H-W-H. That was the Jewish name for God. The Spirit of God regards it in its final shape and completeness, as far as it was permitted to attain it, "The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls." "Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book." He is the living Word, the active agent of God who expresses Gods will and carries it out. *It is the aorist in Greek, which in such a case as this it is difficult correctly to represent in English; for neither "reigned" nor "hath reigned" could convey that God had entered on His kingdom, but rather that it was past. And it is the various ways by which men are attempting to reach God. Here is one of the most dramatic moments in the Revelation, the emergence of the conquering Christ. And yet in such times John calls God pantokrator ( G3841) . And here observe. The "testimony of Jesus" is what the whole Bible is about. I find no fault in Him" ( Luke 23:14 ). He guards his people, allowing the wicked to exercise their power only within the limits that he has set according to his eternal plan. Angels we know from other scriptures will be there, but of this we hear nothing here. The Spirit of God contrasts with the fall of Babylon the marriage. But all this will be a great reversal of man's history and political maxims. 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5 Commentary. Once again John finds his inspiration in the words of Scripture. It is not what Christ puts on them, but a recognition even at this time of whatever has been of God the working I do not deny of the Spirit of Christ. It is by the sword that goes out of his mouth. On him the blow comes, not on the wretched parent. Return Justly does she gather her title from the old fountain of idols and of combined power without God: confusion being here the characteristic element, the designation is taken from the renowned city of the Chaldeans, the first spot notorious in both respects. The twenty-four elders were prominent in the early visions ( Revelation 4:4; Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 5:11; Revelation 5:14; Revelation 7:11; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 14:3) as were the four living creatures ( Revelation 4:6-9; Revelation 5:6-14; Revelation 6:1-7; Revelation 7:11; Revelation 14:3; Revelation 15:7). Antichrist and his henchmen are cast into the lake of fire; and all their supporters are slain, to await in Sheol the final judgment. Though they are not the bride, they still are glorified and continually reigns. "WHITE" is a symbol throughout the book of Revelation for PURITY and VICTORY. We have been washed in His blood, and we have on our white Of course they will be preserved through that crisis in some sort of way suitable to divine wisdom. The only right principle in everything is to go to the source of divine truth, and to seek there refreshment and strength and fitness for whatever our God calls us to. He is the center of it. But that idea is wholly insufficient to cover or meet the word of God, which gives clear and strong reasons that prove the mistake of applying this to the pope as its complete fulfilment. II. It is impossible to refer it to the past with any show even of reasonable probability, I will not say of reality or truth. called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. New American Standard Version A Verse by Verse Study of the Book of Revelation - Glenn Earle Cummings 2007-02 The Gospels, Acts, Epistles and Book of Revelation: Commonly Called the New Testament. approving of the destruction of Babel, because the Messiah was bringing justice How does God tell us to worship Him? church (Acts 2:1ff). However, Satan is not yet destroyed. After the destruction of Babylon religious and commercial, chapter seventeen and eighteen. Paul, the apostle said as he was recounting to the Philippians his past credits as a Jew, "Hebrew of the Hebrews, circumcised the seventh day, the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, concerning zeal persecuting the church", but he said, "Those things that were gain to me", those credits that I had, those brownie points, "I counted loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, for whom I suffer the loss of all things and count them but refuse that I may know Him and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which was of the Law", circumcised seventh, eighth day and so forth, not having that righteousness which was of the law, "but now having the righteousness which was of Christ through faith" ( Philippians 3:5-9 ). Hallelujah!". 16:12-16). And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, nor sorrow, nor crying nor shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. It is true, the beast's judgment is only referred to as a defeat under the hand of the Lamb. On the other, it is the first of seven final things that John saw and recorded. For remark, the beast or Roman empire is described here as that which once existed, which then ceased to exist, and which assumes a final shape when it reappears from the bottomless pit. He says: "The possession of the prophetic spirit, which makes a true prophet, shows itself in a life of witness to Jesus, which perpetuates his witness to the Father and to himself" A prophet's message lies in the personal witness of his life, even more than in the spoken witness of his words. Gates of hell can never Gainst that Church prevail. Whereas for the Jew, there are necessary dates and momentous changes that must take place; and hence, as Daniel represents the Jew, we have the difference kept up. hromphaia) symbolized (cf. We know that if He tarries, it is not that He is "slack concerning His promise," but that "His long-suffering brings salvation to many." This would have been altogether inappropriate for such a progress: when the King comes forth riding to victory in the judgment of wicked men of the world, it is not in the quality of bride, but of armies or hosts, that the saints follow Him; and these include no doubt the guests as well, i.e., all the glorified take their place in His train. . As King of kings and Lord of lords he exercises Gods rule over all humankind, and in divine wrath punishes the wicked (13-16).An angel calls flesh-eating birds to prepare for a feast such as they have never had before, for the corpses on the battlefield will be beyond number (17-18). For according to unquestionable testimony the Reuchlinian copy has like some half-dozen cursives, which was probably a mistake for . There is more that we still have to learn of Him. Verse 1. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. I take it, therefore, that God intended this analogy to be noted by us; that it is not a pursuance of the prophecy, but a description of the holy city previously named, just as the other was a description of the corrupt city, whose judgment had been announced. With this we may compare Jesus' words at his arrest, when he said he could have had twelve legions of angels to fight for him ( Matthew 26:53). The armies of the church militant on earth, and the church triumphant in heaven are not engaged in physical battles of guns and bloodshed, but in spiritual struggles for control of the minds and spiritual forces of men and women. See bibliographic information; Read aloud; Stop reading aloud Hide links to Bible word meanings It is the active word which carried out the commandment of God. Pilate said, "I find no fault in Him. Here we see the chaste virgin the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath It was ruled in general that the worldly powers were ordained of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 Commentary. I sometimes make snap judgments. We have already come upon two vast multitudes in heaven, the martyrs in Revelation 7:9 and the angels in Revelation 5:11. At the beginning there will have been carnage, as we know, among both the western powers and the eastern powers. * Idolatry is the awful stamp that she bears, and this too both in what she gives to man, and in what is written on her forehead before God. The Sinai MS. has both. It is thus that God is wont to deal as a rule in His judgments, not necessarily on the one that first introduces an evil, but on those that inherit the guilt, and perhaps aggravate it, instead of taking warning by it. Christ, the glorious Head of the church, is described as on a white horse, the emblem of justice and holiness. Thus the attempt to apply it during the pagan period is altogether futile on the face of the matter. On these I may say but a very few words. It is a precisely similar case here. News Links, Recommended Books, News Sites, and Bibles As when they are the enemies of the Lords flock, for his "club" that He uses to protect them is a "rod of iron", one that will not break, and will devestate the enemy attacking His flock. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come"( Isaiah 63:3-4 ). Here it would seem we have just what answers to that: this name none knew but He Himself. "Whoever comes to me I will in no wise cast out" ( John 6:37 ). But is there any reason why we should content ourselves with the measure enjoyed of old? He was the word of God in the revelation of grace; when known, by and by, it will be as the executor of God's judgments. In the Ascension of Isaiah ( Isaiah 9:5) there is a saying: "Thou canst not bear his name until thou shalt have ascended out of the body." to Christ in faith during the Tribulation (compare Jer. Then follows another scene still more solemn the most awe-inspiring of all we can contemplate, at the same time full of blessing for the Christian to look onward to as that which will for ever put aside every trace of evil, and vindicate good where man must altogether fail. See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellow "The kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour unto it" not into but unto. . and ever.". In the Testament of Dan ( Daniel 6:2) the angel who intercedes for men is mentioned. We may illustrate it by the members of a family. He remains in that condition of readiness from the time when He sat at God's right hand till the present. church (compare Matt. It is actually the first phrase in Psalms 106:1-48; Psalms 111:1-10; Psalms 112:1-10; Psalms 113:1-9; Psalms 117:1-2; Psalms 135:1-21; Psalms 146:1-10; Psalms 147:1-20; Psalms 148:1-14; Psalms 149:1-9; Psalms 150:1-6. . "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many diadems." They would have a big dance and party, as they would crush all of the grapes, they would get the juice out of them. He was a medical doctor there. We have one final little battle here to take place in chapter nineteen. (a) He is faithful. A mystery clearly points to something undiscoverable by the natural mind of man a secret that requires the distinct and fresh light of God to unravel, but which when revealed thus is plain enough. Thus (without speaking of the resurrection of the wicked at the close) there were certainly more acts than one, not to speak of the two witnesses put to death and caused to rise after three days and a half, when the spirit of life entered them, and they not only arose, but went up to heaven, as we know. 18:20. - CBSC. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." sounds like a massive crashing of waves. He uses a "staff" to gently nudge or guide his sheep. The surest way to have our deliverances continued and completed is to give God the glory of what he has done for us. If some few have joined on one side, some are sure to help the other, because they are jealous of any one acquiring such a preponderant authority: and power as to govern the rest. First, then, this is the praise of the prophets and the martyrs who have witnessed for God with their voices and with their lives. It is reigning. The marriage feast will take place on earth following Christ's return with the From his mouth there comes forth a sharp two-edged sword, so that with it he may smite the nations, and he will control them with an iron rod. . sound like "mighty thunderings". We do know some of His names "Jesus, the Christ, The Son of God, Shepherd, Redeemer, Saviour, Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of lords"----but the fullness of His love and power none of us has yet realized. there is a son in the family, who, instead of being admonished by his father's wickedness, takes license from it to indulge the same. He has, I think, exactly that class in view when He sanctions the calling him who hears to say "Come." It is not a syllogism that is wanted or that can satisfy here: only require, only believe, the word of God. From Revelation 4 through 19 we have a section mainly concerned with God's judgment upon the world preceding Jesus' earthly reign, the period known as the "Messianic Woes" or the "Great Tribulation." a. God's judgments are announced by a seven-sealed scroll, seven trumpets, seven signs, and seven bowls that pour out God's wrath. First, "I saw thrones, and they sat upon them." And the Spirit and the bride say, Come: and let him that heareth say, Come: and let him that is athirst come: let him that will take the water of life freely." for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy ( Revelation 19:10 ). supper of the Lamb represents the millennial kingdom of Christ, which will take We may surely say her cup was not yet full. And there will the second Psalm come into play. Second was the presentation which was a time of festivities just before the almighty: having unlimited power. When its own season arrives, as it surely will, the divine hindrance is to be removed, and the devil then is allowed to do his worst.