I. Praising God
A. Praising God For Judging Evil Vs. 1-5
1. V. 1 Alleluia- Hebrew for “Praise Jehovah”, “Praise God”. 4 x’s in the N.T. all in Rev.
a. J.P. Love- ‘We like to think of a Hallelujah chorus in the style of Handel, where the Hallelujah is the triumphant worship of the reigning Lord. And John comes eventually to such a chorus. But he is realistic enough to know that first there must be the equally triumphant rejoicing over the downfall of evil at the hand of God.’
2. Vs. 2, 3 Here we see reasons for the various reasons that God is praised.
a. God’s judgments are righteous.
b. God’s judgments are true.
c. God judged Babylon, that religiously apostate, commercial world system which corrupted people and brought them into spiritual unfaithfulness.
d. God avenges the deaths of His people.
e. William Barclay- 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.
3. Vs. 4, 5 God’s people are identified two ways.
a. Servants- bondslaves. Those who have willingly committed their lives to Jesus.
b. Both small and great- Though men have differing ranks, they are all servants of God.
B. Praising God For Gathering His People Vs. 6-10
1. V. 6 Another voice exhorts all listeners to praise the all-powerful God, for He reigns.
2. V. 7 Here we see another reason for praising God- The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb
a. Praise for God goes forth not only for what He has done, but what He is about to do.
b. What it is- The gathering together of all the followers of Christ to be with him.
c. Bride of Christ- Being rightly related to God is often described in terms of marriage.
i. Matthew 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son…
ii. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church…
3. V. 8 Fine linen of the Bride (As opposed to the clothing of Babylon the Harlot, 17:4, 18:16)
a. Granted to Her- Salvation, justification is a free gift from God for those who believe.
b. Works of faith done by Her- The saved person supernaturally and willingly does acts of righteousness, for they have been internally transformed.
c. The fine linen of the Bride speaks of that which is given, & that which is done. (7:9, 14)
d. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
4. V. 9 Blessed are those who are called- It is a divine call that must be responded to.
a. These sayings are true- Especially important to remind the 1st century church.
5. V. 10 John wrongly worships an angel and is quickly corrected.
a. Fellow servant- There are great differences between angels and men, but both are servants of God. Angels are not to be worshipped. We are to worship God alone.
b. Testimony of Jesus- the angels and the saints are those who testify of Jesus.
c. Spirit of prophecy- This tells us the overarching purpose of prophesy- Jesus
i. Some people make prophecy primarily about people and events.
ii. Prophecy ought to point towards Jesus, and in the end, exalt Jesus.
iii. Whether predictive or immediately applicable, Jesus should be exalted.
iv. 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
v. Builds us up, stirs us up, warms us up.
II. The Second Coming Of Jesus
A. Description Of Jesus Vs. 11-16
1. V. 11 The appearance of Jesus
a. Faithful and True-Justice meted out by Jesus isn’t a lust for conquest, nor revenge.
b. In righteousness- No sinful attitudes, no misunderstanding or wrongdoing.
c. Barclay- God alone is perfect in judgment for three reasons. First, he alone can see the inmost thoughts and desires of any man. Second, he alone has that purity which can judge without prejudice. Third, he alone has the wisdom to find the right judgment and the power to apply it.
2. V. 12 Eyes like flame of fire- Jesus searches out and sees all things. Nothing hidden.
a. Many crowns-Multiple crowns of royalty. World rule, total dominion.
b. Name- Undiscoverable, but confidently known by Jesus about Himself
3. V. 13 Robed dipped in blood- The victory that Jesus brings is because He shed His own blood. His own bloody robe is His King’s garment.
a. It may also include the blood of His enemies.
b. Word of God- John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
4. V. 14 Armies in Heaven- The people of God; this group may include angels.
a. Jude 1:14-15 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
5. V. 15 Sharp sword- The word of God. Jesus shall defeat those armies by His word.
a. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…
b. Isaiah 11:4 With righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
6. V. 16 If one envisions a warrior on a horse, a name written on a thigh would be prominently displayed for all to see. He will no longer appear as the sacrificed Lamb.
7. Matthew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
B. The Battle
1. Vs. 17, 18 The defeat of the wicked armies will leave multitudes of bodies to be devoured
2. V. 19 This is what is known as The Battle of Armageddon
3. V. 20 The Antichrist and his associate will be completely powerless against Jesus.
a. In front of the armies that followed them, they will be plucked up and destroyed.
b. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
4. V. 21 The only one fighting is Jesus. His armies are simply there.
a. The other armies are destroyed. It isn’t even a fight.
Lessons
1. We ought to praise God for His holiness and judgment, as well as for His provision and salvation.
2. One day we will be gathered together with all of God’s people from every age, and that fellowship will be perfect, free from sin, uninterrupted, and eternal.
3. Jesus is coming back and will right every wrong. Nothing in all of creation can stand against Him