Complete Victory
The Book of Revelation • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
vv. 1-5) Wonderful Worship
vv. 1-5) Wonderful Worship
[1] After these things I head a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
[1] After these things I head a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
After hearing about these things (chapters 17 and 18) John hears a great multitude in heaven, praising the Lord for His righteous punishment of the great harlot and her great city. The last time we saw this multitude was back in Revelation 7:9-14, and they were ready for the end of the evil worldly system and the Antichrist’s reign.
Here, the great multitude, the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures all join in celebrating the fall of the Antichrist and the world system that supported him.
A part of this great multitude—were those who were martyred during the Great—remember their cry for righteous judgement:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Here, finally, their prayer is answered.
[2] For true and righteous are His judgements, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with here fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.
[2] For true and righteous are His judgements, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with here fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.
[3] Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!
[3] Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!
It vindicates Him for His destruction of the great harlot. It was consistent with His attributes of truth and righteousness that He should punish the whore for her fornication and for her cold-blooded slaughter of His servants.
The perpetual smoke ascending from the funeral pyre evokes a second “Alleluia!”
Just as we saw in the pervious chapter in verse 20, this is a stark contrast to the sorrow of the kings, merchants, and sea captains. All of heaven is rejoicing over Babylon’s demise. Should God’s people rejoice when judgement? YES! But we do not rejoice in the destruction in judgment. Rather, we rejoice in the righteousness resolution God’s judgement brings.
[4] And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying “Amen! Alleluia!”
[4] And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying “Amen! Alleluia!”
In these first four verse we have 3 Alleluia’s. This is a wonderful word, borrowed from Hebrew, and it will occur four times in our chapter, and nowhere else in the New Testament. And it belongs here—because God’s people rejoice without restraint at His victory.
Alleluia is Hebrew for “Praise the Lord,” saying it in the imperative sense. Which is the grammatical mood that forms a command or request. So it is an encouragement and an exhortation to PRAISE THE LORD!
Because where it is found in the NT some seem afraid of saying Alleluia. But we’ll all be saying it in heaven. It’s such a wonderful word that we should never use it without thinking of what it means.
1 Praise the Lord!
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
1 Praise the Lord!
I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Anselm of Canterbury, considers it an angelic word, which cannot be fully reproduced in any language of man, and concurs with Augustine that the feeling and saying of it embodies all the blessedness of heaven.
[5] Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”
[5] Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”
This is an important self-examining statement… We understand the need and the importance of praising God but are we living as His servants? As those who fear Him?
Family, we were designed to worship God and when we do it properly we are living up to our created potential.
vv. 6-9) The Marriage of the Lamb
vv. 6-9) The Marriage of the Lamb
[6] And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
[6] And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
The height of praise on earth is only a dim shadow of what these verses are describing. At this point, Revelation approaches the consummation of God’s plan for all history, so we are starting to summit the mountain of all worship!
This is obviously loud, enthusiastic praise. While it is certainly possible to make praise and worship a self-indulgent focus on our feelings or a disorderly expression of the flesh, there is nothing wrong with loud, enthusiastic praise. While there is something precious and irreplaceable about quite times with the Lord, there is something absolutely thrilling about a large number of Christians worshipping God with sincere enthusiasm.
“We ought not to worship God in a half-hearted sort of way; as if it were now our duty to bless God, but we felt it to be a weary business, and we would get it through as quickly as we could, and have done with it; and the sooner the better. No, no; ‘All that is within me, bless his holy name.’ Come, my heart, wake up, and summon all the powers which wait upon thee! Mechanical worship is easy, but worthless. Come rouse yourself, my brother! Rouse thyself, O my own soul!”–Spurgeon
“All Christians duties should be done joyfully; but especially the work of praising the Lord. I have been in congregations where the tune was dolorous to the very last degree; where the time was so dreadfully slow that one wondered whether they would ever be able to sing through the 119 Psalm; whether, to use Watt’s expression, eternity would not be too short from them to get through it; and altogether, the spirit of the people seemed to be so damp, so heavy, so dead, that we might have supposed that they were met to prepare their minds for a hanging rather than for blessing the ever-gracious God.”–Spurgeon
“Heaven is alway heaven, and unspeakably full of blessedness; but even heaven has its holidays, even bliss has its overflowings; and on that day when the springtide of the infinite ocean of joy shall have come, what a measureless flood of delight shall overflow the souls of all glorified spirits…We do not know yet, beloved, of what happiness we are capable.”–Spurgeon
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
One of the many reasons this great multitude is so filled with praise is because the time has come for the Lamb of God to be joined unto His people, in a union so close it can only be compared to the marriage of a man and a woman.
Marriage is a picture used frequently throughout Scripture. In the OT, Israel is presented as God’s wife, who is often unfaithful (Hosea 2:19-20; Isaiah 54:5; Ezekiel 16). In the NT, the church is presented as the fiancé of Jesus, waiting for this day of marriage:
2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
In Biblical times a marriage involved two crucial events, the betrothal and the wedding. These two were normally separated by a period of time during which the two individuals were considered husband and wife and such were under the obligations of faithfulness.
The wedding began with a procession to the bride’s house, which was followed by a return to the house of the groom for the marriage feast.
By analogy, the church, espoused to Christ by faith, now awaits the second coming when the heavenly groom will come for his bride and return to heaven for the marriage feast which last throughout eternity.
And His wife has made herself ready: What do we do to make ourselves ready for this wedding?
[8] And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
[8] And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
There is a lot for us to do, but it is ultimately a work of God does in us:
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
This is the emphasized when John notes, to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright.
In this perfect union with Jesus, His people will be clean and bright before Him.
Clean: reflects purity, loyalty and faithfulness.
Bright: is the color of radiant whiteness that depicts glorification.
As Paul spoke of his desire that Christians would be presented before the Lord pure:
2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
This should be the desire of every Christian.
[9] Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
[9] Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
On that day, everyone will see the church for what she really is: the precious bride of Jesus.
“The Bride of Christ is a sort of Cinderella now, sitting among the ashes. She is like her Lord, ‘despised and rejected of men’; the watchmen smite her, and take away her veil from her; for they know her not, even as they knew not her Lord. But when he shall appear, then shall she appear also, and in his glorious manifestation she also shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the Father.”–Spurgeon
There are the true sayings of God: This is a necessary note of assurance for us. This anticipated consummation will take place, and though it seems too good to be true, it will happen.
v. 10) Correction
v. 10) Correction
[10] “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
[10] “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
I asked myself a question, why would such a godly man like John make such a blunder? Could be one of two things… he felt that the angel represented God or he was simply beside himself with excitement over the glorious consummation.
No created being should be worshipped. This is the contrast to Jesus, who receives the worship of angels and men.
There are important difference between angels and mankind, but both are servants of the same Lord.
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy: The true spirit of prophecy always shows itself in bearing witness to Jesus.
“Any teaching of prophecy that takes our minds and hearts away from Him is not being properly communicated.”–Hocking
Meaning, prophecy at its very core is designed to unfold the beauty and lovingness of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Benediction:
Benediction:
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Introduction:
Introduction:
vv. 11-16)
vv. 11-16)
[11] Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
[11] Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
[12] His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
[12] His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
[13] He was clothed with a rove dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
[13] He was clothed with a rove dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
[14] And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
[14] And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
[15] Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[15] Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And He has on His robe on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
[16] And He has on His robe on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
Benediction
Benediction
Introduction:
Introduction:
vv. 17-18)
vv. 17-18)
[17] Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,
[17] Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,
[18] that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”
[18] that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”
vv.19-21)
vv.19-21)
[19] And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
[19] And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
[20] Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
[20] Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
[21] And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
[21] And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Benediction:
Benediction: