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Readings in the Book of
The Revelation
In this chapter we come back to the fact that John was seeing all this as the scroll was being unrolled in heaven. Therefore it is from the viewpoint of heaven that he now sees the events leading up to the second advent.
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Revelation 19:
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, “Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, to the LORD our God: 2 for true and righteous are His judgments: for He has judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of His servants at her hand”.
3 And again they said, “Alleluia” [meaning “Praise be to Jehovah, the ‘I AM that I AM’, the Giver of life.”]
And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
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First there was a great shout of praise from the assembly in honour of God and His righteousness (i.e. fairness) in allowing all the people of this world to have their own way, even if in the end it meant the destruction of those who rejected His offer of everlasting life. The people of heaven saw that He had worked with the actions of sinners, and, without using any force (only persuasion) had eventually got the right way.
Then it was noticed that the effect of her sinful actions would last on Great Babylon until the results of sin were destroyed completely from the earth. (“For ever and ever” is a Biblical phrase meaning as long as the item in question exists.)
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Revelation 19:
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four beasts [the redeemed] fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, “Amen; Alleluia”.
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After that those who had responded to the call from their graves at the time of Christ’s resurrection made a special obeisance to their everlasting Father for the gift of their new lives.
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Revelation 19:
5 And a Voice came out of the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, and you that fear Him, both small and great”.
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The Son of God led out in another great chorus of praise as a forerunner of the time when these verses will have their full meaning. “For He [the Father] has put [at the beginning of the controversy] all things under His [the Son’s] feet [under His control]. But when He [the Father] says ALL things are put under Him [the Son], it is manifest [very clearly seen] that He [the Father] is excepted, which did put all things under Him [the Son]. And when all things shall be subdued to Him [the Son], then shall the Son also Himself be subject to Him [the Father] that put all things under Him [the Son], that God [the Father] may be all in all [at the end]”. 1 Corinthians 15:27-28.
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all [illegal] rule and all [rebellious] authority and power. For He must reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet. The LAST enemy that shall be destroyed is death”. Verses 22-26.
Since the controversy arose in heaven and two thirds of the angels and all the rest of the people of the universe chose to believe God when He said that His Son was different, it has been the Son who has been publicly in charge of this world. Since then all decisions and actions, including the readying of this planet for occupation by Adam and Eve, have been seen to emanate from Him as evidence that He was NOT just an angel, but was also a Creator. Thus it is written; “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn [the head] of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before [above] all things, and by Him all things consist [continue]”. Colossians 1:14-17.
At the creation, because He is the Word of God, He spoke the thoughts that the Father was thinking, and then those thoughts came into being, but there were no creatures there to see that. In all His actions since then, including the preparation of this world, He has simply been doing what He has always done, but since Satan’s defection the spotlight has been on Him while He was doing them.
Then at the end of the rebellion, when all things are as nearly back to normal as they can be, He will publicly hand the sceptre of power back to God the Father, and the universe will resume its day-to-day operations as they used to be. The experience with sin will be over forever. It is written: “What do you imagine against the LORD? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time”. Nahum 1:9.
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Revelation 19:
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia: for the LORD God omnipotent reigns. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready”.
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Then the multitude of spectators raised a great cheer for the fact that the Son of God was now able to go to His bride’s house and bring her back for the remainder of the wedding ceremony. (In the east the legal part of the marriage agreement came first, and this involved the groom and the parents of the couple. Only when these matters were satisfactorily settled would the groom go to collect the bride and bring her to his father’s house. See Note 1.
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Revelation 19:
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
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The one requisite for entrance to the wedding is the wearing of the garment supplied with the invitation. In a parable Jesus explained this to us. “And when the King came in to see the guests [in the first judgment], He saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and He said to him, ‘Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless [for he had no excuse]. Then said the King to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness’; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for many are called, but few are chosen [by their own refusal or neglect to wear the garment]”. Matthew 22:11-14.
It is also written: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels”. Isaiah 61:10. As we have seen in past readings, the people who are judged in the first judgment are not present in person, but this parable is explaining how they would react if they were.
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Revelation 19:
9 And he [the angel] said to me, “Write, Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb”. And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God”.
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, “See you do it not: I am your fellowservant, and of your brothers [and sisters] that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”.
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Although the angel who accompanied John in his vision was a mighty person, (he is known as “His angel” in chapter 1) he is still a creature and he gently reminded John of that fact. We are not to worship any one who depends on life from Another. One of the things that binds all creatures together is the ability given by God through our experiences to illustrate and teach some aspect of His goodness.
We should note that in this parable the people of God are described as “guests” by Jesus. If “guests” then they are not the “bride”. Although robed in white and attending the wedding, it is to the “supper” that they are called, therefore we must look elsewhere for the bride. The first place is given to the City of God which is standing as proxy right now for those who will be His living bride. John saw it in another vision. “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”. Revelation 21:2. Second place naturally then goes to those who are called “THE sons of God”.
It is written of them, “For the earnest expectation of the creature [creation] waits for the manifestation of the sons of God [they haven’t been seen yet!]. For the creature [this solar system] was made subject to vanity [made to feel the effects of sin], not willingly, but by reason of Him who has subjected the same in hope, because the creature [the world] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God”. Romans 8:19-21, KJV. In another translation, “19 All creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal who his children are. 20 Creation was subjected to frustration but not by its own choice. The one who subjected it to frustration did so in the hope 21 that it would also be set free from slavery to decay in order to share the glorious freedom that the children of God will have. 22 We know that all creation has been groaning with the pains of childbirth up to the present time”. Romans 8:19-22 (God’s Word translation.)
The event was described this way long ago:
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Isaiah 66:
5 Hear the word of the LORD, you that tremble at His word;
Your brothers [and sisters] that hated you, that cast you out for My name's sake, said, “Let the LORD be glorified [they claimed to be following Him]”: but He shall appear [at the second coming] to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
[But just before that there will be] 6 a Voice of noise from the city, a Voice from the temple, a Voice of the LORD that renders recompense to His enemies. [This is the voice of the Father announcing the timing of the second advent].
7 Before she travailed [in the great troubles of the last days], she [the church of God] brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
9 “Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?” says the LORD: “shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb?” says your God.
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These “children” have overcome the LAST enemy, and are “fit” to attend the wedding as the “living bride” after having endured all that sin can bring on them. For more on this see URL They are known to us as the 144,000 who are sealed with God’s character while they are alive, unlike the majority of Christians who are only sealed by death.
Only after that, in third position, can ALL the rest of the redeemed be known as “brides” of the Son of God. Paul wrote of all Christians: “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused [engaged] you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” meaning that they were not yet married, but would be later. 2 Corinthians 11:2. In the meantime, they have all come under the power of the last enemy and died!
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Revelation 19:
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called “Faithful and True”, and in righteousness He does judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written [on His forehead], that no man knew, but He Himself.
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In very strong earthly terms John was shown the exodus from heaven as the Groom set out on His journey. The horse at that time was the most powerful means of transport, and white is the symbol of purity, so that meant much to him. The Son of God was shown wearing His many “crowns” (abilities or positions) because He is to appear on earth as the Saviour of many who hold vastly differing views of Him.
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Revelation 19:
13 And He was clothed with a vesture [a waistcoat] dipped in blood: and His name is called “The Word of God”.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
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As a reminder to all of the cost of their redemption He will be wearing a tunic that symbolises His eternal sacrifice, one for which all those who were soon to be resurrected would praise Him, for they have found Him to be truly the living expression of God the Father. John 14:9-11. Naturally, He is accompanied by those specially resurrected ones who have been with Him in heaven since soon after Calvary.
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Revelation 19:
15 And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He has on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
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Here is revealed the way in which God fights. Although described as a sword, it is far more terrible that any earthly weapon, for it wounds in a different way, coming from His mouth. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any [earthly] twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. Hebrews 4:12. It is because of this that He can rule with love and justice, which are called the “rod of iron”, and “tread the winepress alone” (i.e. judge by His sacrifice) all those who have rejected God’s call.
A prophet of old has seen Him like this in a vision:
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Isaiah 63:
“1 Who is this that comes from Edom [Esau the rejecter’s country], with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of His strength?”
“I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save”.
2 “Wherefore are You red in your apparel, and Your garments like him that treads in the wine vat?”
3 “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them [the rejecters] 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. 4 For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed is come”.
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At the same time on His chest over His heart He wears the sash or insignia of royalty, which reappears on His thigh as the symbol of walking rightly in leadership. (For example, Henry 8th of England is often depicted wearing a royal garter on one of his silk-clad legs as head of the Knights of the Garter.) But Christ is the KING and LORD of those who are described also as “kings” and “lords” because all the redeemed will have a special place in God’s new universe as teachers of righteousness alongside Him. Through all these representations the Spirit tries to show us His character and His work.
The Son of God speaks sorrowfully of the fact that He has trodden the rejecters “in anger” and “fury”, for this is not the same as the anger which is expressed on earth. As that well-known text tells us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts”. Isaiah 55:8-9. Therefore when the Spirit mentions “anger” or “wrath” He is showing us how God feels about Himself at His LACK of saving power, not an emotion which is directed at hurting others, as humans would. He has had to do this alone so far, but one day He will be able to raise up Christians who feel the same way as He, and they will be His Bride.
Now the centre of interest changes:
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Revelation 19:
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls [vultures] that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather yourselves together to the supper of the great God; 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great”.
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As a picture of the utter destruction which is to come on earth as the procession arrives there, an angel symbolically calls to God’s cleanup agents. My understanding of the period between the resurrections is that the bodies of the final rejecters lie around without decomposing (there is no atmosphere or moisture to affect them), while the full truths of the controversy are revealed to those who have recently arrived in heaven. (The scroll will be unrolled again.) During that time all life is extinguished on earth, therefore there is no place for real vultures or other animals to dispose of the bodies. But I may be wrong in this and will wait and see.
John continues:
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Revelation 19:
19 And I saw the [image of the] beast, and the kings of the earth and their armies [it’s the horns, or religions, which wear the crowns in the last days], gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.
These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
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Those who had formulated the image of the beast (religious leaders using force against God’s people for the second time) had made many futile efforts to get the remnant of God’s people to accept their way. But these saints were firm in their knowledge of what the Son of God wanted, and they had rejected all the advances, to their minds as well as their bodies. They remained “virgins”, refusing to give up the gift they had received at conversion by indulging in spiritual adultery, and holding their love in faith for He to whom it means so much.
The depths of infamy in the “false prophet” (the leaders of the Protestants) had been clearly seen by them and they had not been deceived. Because of this the Son of God was able to bring the controversy to a finish and the “beast” and the “false prophet” were spiritually put to one side waiting the final judgment at the end of the thousand years.
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Revelation 19:
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
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Thus the words of God were shown to be absolutely fair and just, and the last living rejecters received their temporary sentence from His lips.
Bye for now,
Ron
Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library. No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.
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Matthew 25:
1 [Jesus said] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins [special members of the wedding party], which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise [they were prepared for a delay], and five were foolish. [They are called “virgins” for they all had a pure faith at the beginning.]
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no [extra] oil with them:
4 but the wise took [extra] oil in their vessels with their lamps. [The “oil” in the flasks represents the Holy Spirit. “Fools” are those who don’t listen to God.]
5 While the Bridegroom tarried [caused by a delay in the marriage negotiations, aka the judgment, Daniel 7:9-10], they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight [an unexpected hour] there was a cry made, “Behold, the Bridegroom comes;
go you out to meet Him”. [Jesus warned us, “Be you therefore ready (at all times) also (with the extra oil): for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not”. Luke 12:40.]
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed [adjusted] their lamps [their understanding of truth]. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out [going out]”. 9 But the wise answered, saying, “Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves”. [The “gift” of the power of the Holy Spirit costs all that we individually possess, for we must give up our independence to get it, and therefore it is not transferable. See Isaiah 55:1-3; Ezekiel 14:14 and 18. The “fools” were losing their understanding of God’s character.]
10 And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut [human probation closed]. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, “LORD, LORD, open to us”. 12 But He answered and said, “Verily I say to you, I know you not” [for they still didn’t have the “oil”].
13 Watch therefore [and be prepared], for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes. Back
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