Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who held a wedding feast for his son.” - Matthew 22:1-2
Hello again! It’s time to continue our series through the book of Revelation. This morning’s message is the 29th sermon in this in-depth study. We are quickly approaching the finish line, as there are 35 messages in all - just 6 more after today.
Revelation 19 is the last chapter that deals with the tribulation. We have been talking about the tribulation, especially the latter half called “The Great Tribulation”, since way back in chapter 6. Once we finish this chapter, we will move on to end-time events that will take place after the tribulation ends.
I. THE FOURFOLD HALLELUJAH (Revelation 19:1-6)
John heard something like a loud voice coming from a great multitude in Heaven saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God.” The multitude praised the LORD for judging the prostitute who had corrupted the whole earth with her immorality, and for avenging the saints. The multitude cried out a second time, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.” Their words expressed the severity of God's judgment.
Then the 24 elders and 4 living creatures fell down before God’s heavenly throne and worshiped Him, agreeing with and affirming the multitude by shouting, “Amen. Hallelujah!” Finally, a voice like a great multitude, the sound of many waters, and mighty peals of thunder said, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” They celebrated the long awaited reign and rule of Christ over the earth.
Hallelujah in Hebrew means “Praise the LORD!” Everyone in Heaven celebrated the fall of Babylon and her long-overdue judgment. They glorified and worshiped God, just as they’d been instructed to do (Revelation 18:20), rejoicing that the Satanic rule of the Antichrist had finally ended and that Christ had victoriously returned to reign righteously over the earth.
II. THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB (Revelation 19:7-9)
The multitudes continued, “Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself.” She, the bride, was clothed in fine linen that was bright and clean. These fine linens were the righteous acts of the saints. Then “he”, presumably the angel who communicated the vision to John (Revelation 1:1), instructed him to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” He also said, “These are the true words of God.”
Scripture definitively identifies both the bride and the groom referred to in this passage. The angel directly stated that the groom was the Lamb, which is undoubtedly Jesus Christ (John 1:29). John calls Jesus the Lamb frequently throughout Revelation. The bride is the New Testament Church, for whom Jesus died (Ephesians 5:25-27). Thus, the marriage ceremony being described in these verses marked the official union of Jesus and His Church.
The Church, though imperfect in her humanity, was washed, cleansed, and sanctified by Christ so that she might be clothed in white, beautiful, and unblemished wedding garments. Her righteousness had been imputed to her by Jesus Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). The angel also indicated that guests would be present, and that they were blessed to be invited to the wedding feast. The whole scene being described seemed so wonderfully splendid that the angel felt it necessary to reassure John that he was telling the truth.
III. THE JEWISH WEDDING CEREMONY
In Biblical times, the Jewish wedding ceremony consisted of 3 major parts or components. It began when the groom formally chose his bride-to-be. Arrangements were made between the fathers of both parties and a dowry was paid by the groom for the bride. Afterwards a betrothal period began, during which the bride and groom remained separated in their parents homes for approximately a full year while the groom prepared a house for the new couple to live in after their marriage. Though physically apart, the betrothed bride and groom were to remain chaste and wholly faithful to one another.
When the year had passed, the groom and his friends went in a grand procession to retrieve his bride. She was notified in advance of his coming so that she might prepare herself accordingly. When he arrived, usually during the night, she and her attendants left with him and his party and returned to his father’s house. The bride and groom then spent the night together in the bridal chamber and officially consummated their marriage.
The next day a grand feast began to celebrate the newlywed couple. This feast would sometimes last for 7 days or more. It was a time of great joy for everyone, complete with festive music, delicious food, and the best wine. Guests would be invited, often the entire town, and the streets would be full of laughter and jubilation.
Now let’s make the comparison… Jesus chose the Church to be His bride and gave his life as payment for her (on the cross). He then returned to His Father’s house in heaven where He is currently preparing a place for her during the betrothal period (the Church Age). At the right time He will return for her, and take her with Him back to Heaven (the Rapture). After their union, there will be a great marriage banquet complete with many guests (the Old Testament and Tribulation Saints). I believe that the wedding feast of the Lamb will take place in Heaven during the 7-year tribulation, as the Great Tribulation rages below upon the earth.
IV. THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP (Revelation 19:10)
John was so overwhelmed by the words of the angel and his glorious description of the marriage supper that he fell at his feet in order to worship him. The angel quickly intervened to stop him and stated that he was merely a fellow servant like John and others who believed in Christ. The angel said, “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The prophetic vision that John was having was the Revelation of Jesus Christ, not of any angel.
God alone is worthy of all worship and praise. We can ascribe praise and glory to the Father by worshiping Jesus Christ, the Son. He is the object of our worship. We as Christians should be careful not to worship anyone or anything else, and not to accept worship ourselves.
CONCLUSION
After weeks of focusing on judgment, persecution, and torment during the years of tribulation on the earth, the tone of Revelation has now begun to shift. The saints of God are now celebrating the victory of Christ and the fall of Babylon. John sees a joyful and cheerful ceremony taking place in Heaven - the marriage of the Lamb - and a great wedding feast commemorating the joyful union.
The events of the last days will affect people in vastly different ways. Those who do not know God will be judged and condemned because they have rejected the Groom, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, those who have believed in Him will not perish, but have eternal life...
Hello again! It’s time to continue our series through the book of Revelation. This morning’s message is the 29th sermon in this in-depth study. We are quickly approaching the finish line, as there are 35 messages in all - just 6 more after today.
Revelation 19 is the last chapter that deals with the tribulation. We have been talking about the tribulation, especially the latter half called “The Great Tribulation”, since way back in chapter 6. Once we finish this chapter, we will move on to end-time events that will take place after the tribulation ends.
I. THE FOURFOLD HALLELUJAH (Revelation 19:1-6)
John heard something like a loud voice coming from a great multitude in Heaven saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God.” The multitude praised the LORD for judging the prostitute who had corrupted the whole earth with her immorality, and for avenging the saints. The multitude cried out a second time, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.” Their words expressed the severity of God's judgment.
Then the 24 elders and 4 living creatures fell down before God’s heavenly throne and worshiped Him, agreeing with and affirming the multitude by shouting, “Amen. Hallelujah!” Finally, a voice like a great multitude, the sound of many waters, and mighty peals of thunder said, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” They celebrated the long awaited reign and rule of Christ over the earth.
Hallelujah in Hebrew means “Praise the LORD!” Everyone in Heaven celebrated the fall of Babylon and her long-overdue judgment. They glorified and worshiped God, just as they’d been instructed to do (Revelation 18:20), rejoicing that the Satanic rule of the Antichrist had finally ended and that Christ had victoriously returned to reign righteously over the earth.
II. THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB (Revelation 19:7-9)
The multitudes continued, “Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself.” She, the bride, was clothed in fine linen that was bright and clean. These fine linens were the righteous acts of the saints. Then “he”, presumably the angel who communicated the vision to John (Revelation 1:1), instructed him to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” He also said, “These are the true words of God.”
Scripture definitively identifies both the bride and the groom referred to in this passage. The angel directly stated that the groom was the Lamb, which is undoubtedly Jesus Christ (John 1:29). John calls Jesus the Lamb frequently throughout Revelation. The bride is the New Testament Church, for whom Jesus died (Ephesians 5:25-27). Thus, the marriage ceremony being described in these verses marked the official union of Jesus and His Church.
The Church, though imperfect in her humanity, was washed, cleansed, and sanctified by Christ so that she might be clothed in white, beautiful, and unblemished wedding garments. Her righteousness had been imputed to her by Jesus Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). The angel also indicated that guests would be present, and that they were blessed to be invited to the wedding feast. The whole scene being described seemed so wonderfully splendid that the angel felt it necessary to reassure John that he was telling the truth.
III. THE JEWISH WEDDING CEREMONY
In Biblical times, the Jewish wedding ceremony consisted of 3 major parts or components. It began when the groom formally chose his bride-to-be. Arrangements were made between the fathers of both parties and a dowry was paid by the groom for the bride. Afterwards a betrothal period began, during which the bride and groom remained separated in their parents homes for approximately a full year while the groom prepared a house for the new couple to live in after their marriage. Though physically apart, the betrothed bride and groom were to remain chaste and wholly faithful to one another.
When the year had passed, the groom and his friends went in a grand procession to retrieve his bride. She was notified in advance of his coming so that she might prepare herself accordingly. When he arrived, usually during the night, she and her attendants left with him and his party and returned to his father’s house. The bride and groom then spent the night together in the bridal chamber and officially consummated their marriage.
The next day a grand feast began to celebrate the newlywed couple. This feast would sometimes last for 7 days or more. It was a time of great joy for everyone, complete with festive music, delicious food, and the best wine. Guests would be invited, often the entire town, and the streets would be full of laughter and jubilation.
Now let’s make the comparison… Jesus chose the Church to be His bride and gave his life as payment for her (on the cross). He then returned to His Father’s house in heaven where He is currently preparing a place for her during the betrothal period (the Church Age). At the right time He will return for her, and take her with Him back to Heaven (the Rapture). After their union, there will be a great marriage banquet complete with many guests (the Old Testament and Tribulation Saints). I believe that the wedding feast of the Lamb will take place in Heaven during the 7-year tribulation, as the Great Tribulation rages below upon the earth.
IV. THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP (Revelation 19:10)
John was so overwhelmed by the words of the angel and his glorious description of the marriage supper that he fell at his feet in order to worship him. The angel quickly intervened to stop him and stated that he was merely a fellow servant like John and others who believed in Christ. The angel said, “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The prophetic vision that John was having was the Revelation of Jesus Christ, not of any angel.
God alone is worthy of all worship and praise. We can ascribe praise and glory to the Father by worshiping Jesus Christ, the Son. He is the object of our worship. We as Christians should be careful not to worship anyone or anything else, and not to accept worship ourselves.
CONCLUSION
After weeks of focusing on judgment, persecution, and torment during the years of tribulation on the earth, the tone of Revelation has now begun to shift. The saints of God are now celebrating the victory of Christ and the fall of Babylon. John sees a joyful and cheerful ceremony taking place in Heaven - the marriage of the Lamb - and a great wedding feast commemorating the joyful union.
The events of the last days will affect people in vastly different ways. Those who do not know God will be judged and condemned because they have rejected the Groom, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, those who have believed in Him will not perish, but have eternal life...