No doubt all this may seem to some a little difficult, but it is no use evading what is hard. The description of the great Commander, 1. He was a medical doctor there. That is spiritually in chapter seventeen, that great religious system that corrupted the earth. Therefore be zealous and repent. I agree with the majority. But what is also of consequence to observe is, that John saw souls the souls of those beheaded on account of the witness of Jesus, and on account of the word of God. (ii) A Greek came into the Church from a world of thought which made angel worship a real danger. So, darkness covered the face of the deep and God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. The word used here for crown is diadema ( G1238) , which is the royal crown, as opposed to stephanos ( G4735) which is the crown of victory. Gates of hell can never Gainst that Church prevail. No hint whatever is given that they constitute the city, but there is the inscription of their names outside. No one can soberly deny that Babylon in some sort had a place then; but that the special, and above all, the full character of Babylon was manifested as here portrayed is another matter. 4:17; see So, the great religious system, spiritual fornication is that endeavor to worship God in an unprescribed way. She followed and had inherited the spirit of all, from the days of Cain, who had lifted up their hands against their righteous brethren. and the fullness of the Gentiles will be brought in. shed by them. We read of the marriage feast ( Matthew 22:2); of the bridechamber and the wedding garment ( Matthew 22:10-11); of the sons of the bridechamber ( Mark 2:19); of the bridegroom ( Mark 2:19; Matthew 25:1); of the friends of the bridegroom ( John 3:29). In that it "continues" to come forth, indicates this is not literal, but symbolic. A further account of the triumphant song of angels and saints for the fall of Babylon, ver 1-4. It cannot be done till the moment comes. "And so here we see Him, clothed in a vesture dipped in blood. If you understand the testimony of Jesus, what must you do. Again John finds his picture in the prophetic words of the Old Testament, where it is said of the chosen king of God: "With righteousness he shall judge the poor" ( Isaiah 11:4). 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. (faithful to Jesus). 11:2; Eph. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God ( Revelation 19:10 ): Now, John like so many people, we want to worship the instrument that God uses to bring His knowledge or love or grace to us. To be sure, the language here suggests Armageddon, the great spiritual conflict going on throughout history, the results of which will be announced and executed on the last day. And it was so. The bride is in view. Jesus found Himself at opposition with the religious forces of His day and it was the religious people who prompted the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. (1) A mighty angel comes down from heaven. - CBSC, The psalm prophecy is quoted by the apostle Peter in Acts 4:25-26 with this application of the effect of preaching Christ to the heathen world. God is making sure that you know that Jesus is innocent as He hangs there on the cross. This description of the warrior Christ comes from two Old Testament passages put side by side. This is clearly of moral importance. It is very evident, therefore, that the saints in a glorified state are here represented as following the Lord out of heaven. Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.". The chief difference is that in man's case it is God who raises him, whereas in the empire's not God but the devil will raise it again. And He Himself treads . And there shall in nowise enter into it anything that defileth, nor making abomination and a lie: but only those written in the book of life of the Lamb." Read the verses thoughtfully. Worship God." "They have one mind, and give their own power and authority to the beast." The angel least him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal over him, that he should no more deceive the nations, till the thousand years should be completed: after these things he must be loosed a little time.". ", And the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped the God who is seated upon the throne. Here we see the chaste virgin "At the last day" does not mean merely an instant of time. To whom else could they say it? number. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." We can easily understand that the overthrow of the ecclesiastical power is necessary to leave a full field unimpeded for the imperial power to develop itself in its final form of violence and rebellion and apostacy against the Lord. But the day is coming when Satan will be allowed to have things his own way. The ten horns with the beast are all to receive authority the beast of course wielding the imperial power, they as kings, all during one and the same time before the end comes. The same imagery of a wedding picture's the Lord's relationship with His Church. After the destruction of Babylon at For certain there are two great acts of resurrection, one when the Old Testament saints and the church are caught up to heaven, the other when Satan was bound after the beast and false prophet were thrown into the lake of fire, as well as Babylon judged. They are glorified saints, and not angels. We desire that He should come quickly, but we leave this to Him, because we know His love, and can trust Him. sound like "mighty thunderings". It is a Hebrew word that has become universal, "Allel", "u", "yah", which means, "praise to Jehovah" or Yahweh. As noted in the commentary on Rom. "Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing, for they have gathered together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, Let us break His bands asunder, let us cast off His law from us; but He who sits in the heavens will laugh for He will have the nations in derision. Such was her influence stretching out far beyond the beast. Supposing, for instance, a drunken father: if the sons had one spark of right feeling, not only must they feel the utmost shame and pain on account of their parent, but they would endeavour (like the sons of Noah who had a due sense of what was proper to their father) to cast some mantle of love over that which they could not deny, yet would not look at, but surely above all things they would watch against that shameful sin. "The woman" is the more general symbol designating her as the great imperial city; "the harlot" is her corrupt religious character, embracing papal Rome, but not ending with Popery as it is. I like that, God speaking into existence the world in which we live. Then the angel quickly tells John not to worship him. Armies of angels are with him, but his conquest is not by armies or weapons. "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. But here there is none; a temple is for the earth. It is by his word that God created the earth and the heavens and everything in them. Then He is called the "True and faithful witness" in the third chapter of Revelation. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be to him God, and he shall be son to me. Certainly the ascription to the Lord of the fierce struggles of a human warrior is markedly avoided. ", This chapter is one of the most dramatic in all the Bible. Out of his mouth goes this sharp sword, His word. "Crowns and thrones may perish Kingdoms rise and wane But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain. 31:31-34; Zech. a. Only the Son of God can understand the mystery of his own being. "All three of the figures in this verse are representations of the word of Christ, by which he executes with indisputable authority the judgment of God. And the LAST WORDS (22:6-21). Thus nothing can be simpler or more beautiful than the way in which this verse sums up the Revelation as a whole. And of course, this proselytizing law was prompted by the Greek Orthodox Church, and he has been sentenced to spend three and a half years in jail in Greece. Not only are they supposed to be coexistent, but united in their change of feeling against Babylon. They received their power as kings when the beast ceased to exist. "Let him that heareth say, Come." We had seen Babylon twice: first, in the circle of God's warnings and testimonies; and then as the object of God's judgment under the seven bowls. Be wise now therefore, O you kings, be instructed, you rulers of the earth; kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way,Psalms 2:10; Psalms 2:12. His attributes: he is faithful and true to his covenant and promise, he is righteous in all his judicial and military proceedings, he has a penetrating insight into all the strength and stratagems of his enemies, he has a large and extensive dominion, many crowns, for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.". It is the place that Jesus said God prepared for Satan and his angels. He is praised for judging religious Babylon and avenging the martyrs. Religion is threatened by life, by spiritual life.So, God has judged that religious system and has avenged the blood of His servants at her hands. Then we look at "reigneth". (verse 16--We know who He is "King of kings and Lord of lords"). Can anything be less reasonable (even taking that ground, low as it is) than that the various rulers of the western powers, Catholic kings, join the Pope in destroying his own city, or his own church, whichever Babylon may be made? We. Rev. That is prophecy centers around the person of Jesus Christ. It seems clear that the name is visible to all, and, therefore, probably the likeliest solution is that it was written on the skirt of the warrior Christ's robe, lying over his thigh, as he rode upon the white horse. It is written to be believed, not to be ignored or explained away. Consequently, here we must most unquestionably go back to be shown an important object in the prophecy which could not, without interrupting its course, have been described before. Every day-and we set up these rules for righteousness. He has condemned the great prostitute The unrenewed of the nations are now compassing them with their countless hosts, as if to eat them up like grasshoppers. But in this is shown what it is of importance to see the true nature of the kingdom or millennial reign. Who said Amen, Alleluia as they worshipped around the throne? There was judicial discernment with the distinct possession of all titles to sovereignty. Gods permanent crushing of mans rebellion (verse 3); (4) In Asia Minor even the tribunal of the proconsul was subject to bribery and to maladministration. all there is about us already. And then comes the gathering and the battle. This does not intimate we have seen that there is only one act of raising, but that all who share that resurrection, whenever raised, are raised before the millennium begins; so that when the reign of Christ takes place, all such have part in the first resurrection, including Christ Himself, raised at least 1800 years before the church; then the church, with the Old Testament saints; then these Apocalyptic saints at any rate some years after. And that is the question the prophet asks and Jesus answers, "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." understood literally. The beloved city is Jerusalem; the camp of the saints, I presume, is a larger circle and embraces all of Israel and the Gentiles who, being converted, refuse Satan's deceit. But you can go ahead and do these things without pangs of conscience trying to destroy God out of our society, out of our lives. Apart from his return to purge his creation of evil, redemption remains forever incomplete." avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.". Again and again the prophets thought of Israel as the chosen bride of God. Supper), who will turn to Christ in Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.". This is not unrighteous, but, on the contrary, the highest justice from a divine point of view. All who have looked back on the history know, that when the ten kings appeared, there was no beast or imperial power. (iv) It may be that here is a lingering relic of the old idea that to know the name of a divine being was to have a certain power over him. })(); Return to Revelation Menu | (ii) It is suggested that the name is Y-H-W-H. That was the Jewish name for God. And there will the second Psalm come into play. Gods meting out of justice (verse 2); (3) Here is faith and confidence; and the whole point of this passage is that that faith and confidence are vindicated. Again, death and hades are said to come to their end, personified as enemies. Jewish dreams were full of the warrior Messiah, who would lead God's people to victory and smash his enemies. Consequently they sat upon the thrones at once; while the two latter classes, described in the rest of the verse, were still in the separate state "and the souls." On the head of the victor Christ there are many crowns to show that he is lord of all the kingdoms of the earth. It will be remembered that it was said to them that they must wait. Click here to download Revelation 19 Keynote presentation: https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0QVjw78Q9AXs9vyAJw9plQoww#Revelation_19Click here to download Revel. But the attempt, again, to apply what is said here to a future city of Babylon in Chaldea seems to me no less vain. The seven Spirits of God (Greek: , ta hepta pneumata tou theou) are mentioned four times in the Book of Revelation, and in the Book of Isaiah it names each Spirit.Revelation 1:4: John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven . Moral unfitness has its just censure; but sovereign grace must be asserted also. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And again they said, Alleluia. It has been suggested that the name is either embroidered on his girdle or engraved on his sword hilt. "This is the first resurrection. absence of the Church from the earth during the judgments of (Rev. He is in charge of the Anastausus Ship, but he is facing a jail sentence of three and a half years in Greece because He gave a Bible to a sixteen-year old Greek boy and the boy accepted Jesus Christ as His Savior. This third description of judgment is an allusion to Isaiah 63:2-3; Jeremiah 51:33; Lamentations 1:15; Joel 3:13 (cf. Rev. Men are not regarded as composing this tabernacle; they co-exist. Thus the only use that seems made of the book is negative and exclusive. 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. [Note: Lilje, p. willing to be his in the day of his power. After that come into its fullness. That is what prophecy is about. I don't know exactly what He will say. This would not be fitting for the church nor the Christian. He spoke these things into existence; the power of the Word of God.If we would only realize the power of the Word of God. Patience or endurance of hope is what becomes us. Their praise is that the smoke of Babylon rises for ever and ever. All these things have their place in Babylon the great. We have already seen that God will cause a third part of the sea to turn to Imagine when all living creatures in the seas die. He has, I think, exactly that class in view when He sanctions the calling him who hears to say "Come." "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.". The marriage between Christ and the church proclaimed and perfected, ver 5-10. It does not hinder, of course, that in the judgment of the dead each man is judged for his own sin. There are always those who are ready to challenge the fairness of it. In short, no testimony can avail, no work, power, or glory without the word of God applied by the Spirit of God. Tribulation saints. (i) John sees Christ as the conqueror. What empire has existed, then sunk, and finally reappeared, with higher pretensions and power, only to perish horribly? Nothing of the sort can be plainer. This is the meaning of "one hour with the beast.". 5:25-32). 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 25:1-13; Luke 14:15-24). Link with Johns vision of Revelation 19:11-16 a meditation on the Hymn "Crown Him with many crowns" and also the stirring Hymn "Onward Christian soldiers." And out of his mouth proceeded a sharp sword Again, all voices agree as one in seeing this as a symbol of the word of God (Hebrews 4:12,13; Ephesians 6:17f). giving God glory for a fifth reason, the marriage of the Lamb has come. But now, when those symbols disappear, because of a new action of God (namely, the consummation of the church's joy), the elders and the living creatures disappear, and we have not the bride alone, but another class of saints, who at once come forward. Revelation 19 is the nineteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Thus there is a completeness and perfection about it suited to its present character. The ceremony (the exchanging of vows). used (in Gen. 19:28). Lastly was the wedding ceremony during which time the vows were exchanged. That is why Christianity is successful. took on His righteousness. As man does not believe in the resurrection of man, it is no wonder that he does not believe in the resurrection of an empire. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Revelation Chapter 10 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." 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. "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city." Gratitude, reverence, trust--these are the constituent elements of real praise. It means here that his enemies would be certainly crushed before him - as grapes are crushed under the feet of him that treads in the winevat. The Church, the Bride of Christ, is clothed in fine linen, pure and shining. "And if any one was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire." At the same time you will mark that these are not said to be executors of judgment as Christ is. Victorious power put forth to subdue is the meaning of the white horse. It is a picture of final judgment. This section bridges the Tribulation and the millennial kingdom. - Utley. Some ancient authorities insert two-edged, from the parallel passage in Revelation 1:16. You must with the best authorities leave out this addition, if you would have the true force of the verse. (1-5) Praise for the judgment of Babylon. Consequently there will be an increase in population such as never has been approached since the world was made, yet it afterwards appears, that Satan will not fail to turn the masses of the nations into one vast rebellion against the objects of God's special favour on the earth the saints wherever they may be, and the beloved city of Israel, as we have seen. Return The picture is of all men sitting down at the Messianic Banquet of God. Revelation 2020 - Lesson 19A - Verse By Verse Ministry He will tread the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty. In short, it would seem that God has hedged round His own draft of Babylon so as to make it quite plain that Rome, city and system, figures in the scene; and this too necessarily involving a medieval description, though the full result will not be till the end of the age; for she rides the beast or empire characterized so as naturally to involve the past barbarian irruption and the resulting ten-kingdomed state.