Chapter 19: Rejoicing in Heaven, Final Victory on Earth

In the twentieth verse of the preceding chapter we have briefly a call to heaven and its holy apostles and prophets to rejoice, because God had destroyed them, and had avenged them. In this chapter this rejoicing is unbounded. “Hallelujah” is the chorus. Once is not sufficient. “Again they said ‘Hallelujah’” and in fact, four times over, within the compass of six verses we have the word—“Hallelujah.” In the first verse the great multitude in heaven ascribe praise to God because His salvation and glory has effected two things. First, “He has judged the great harlot which corrupted the earth.” Secondly, “He has avenged the blood of His bondmen at her hand.” The memory of her judgment will be an eternal one for “her smoke goes up to the ages of ages.” Beautifully here we see unhindered true worship of God by the twenty four elders and the four living creatures. Those now glorified saints, who on earth had “resisted unto blood” at the hands of Babylon will have especial reason to rejoice. “The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning” (Psa. 49:1414Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. (Psalm 49:14)).
Now that the usurper, the false, pretended and pretentious bride of Christ on earth has been entirely disowned by Him, we see worthy preparations in heaven for the presentation of the true bride to the Lamb. What a moment that will be for both Christ and His church! One’s thoughts go back to the Lord’s own words “when He had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that He had and bought it” (Matt. 13:4646Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:46))—and also to the words of the Apostle Paul—minister of the church—“Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word—that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-2725Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25‑27)). We love too, our side of it, through His grace, as pictured in Genesis 24:5858And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. (Genesis 24:58)—“and they called Rebekah, and said unto her—wilt thou go with this man—and she said I will go.” In His blessed company we can surely say even now—“I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste” (Song of Sol. 2:33As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. (Song of Solomon 2:3)). If space permitted one would gladly linger here, but one’s feelings are better expressed in the following stanzas of a hymn:
“If here on earth the thoughts of Jesus’ love
Lift our poor hearts this weary world above;
If even here the taste of heavenly springs
So cheers the spirit, that the pilgrim sings;
What will the sunshine of His glory prove?
What the unmingled fullness of His love?
What Hallelujahs will His presence raise?
What but one loud eternal burst of praise.”
In the seventh verse the Hallelujahs of heaven and its rejoicing center around the Lamb. Yes! “Jesus Thou alone art worthy, ceaseless praises to receive.” Through the long dark night the Holy Ghost was leading “home to the Lamb His bride.” So now “His wife hath made herself ready.” We must pause here to get the meaning of this. As soon as we are saved, washed from our sins in His own blood, we are as fit for heaven as we ever shall be. As flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, we will have received bodies of glory like unto His own glorious body in the scene before us. Christ has of God been made unto us righteousness but here “to her it was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Titus 2:1414Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14) reads “who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.” These are “works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:1010For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)). The righteousnesses of saints here, then refer to their individual works done while on earth. That the Lamb’s wife has made herself ready for the marriage indicates that there has been a previous review of these works.
This is to be found in 2 Corinthians 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)—“for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” This is a deeply solemn event, the prospect of which should have an every-day bearing on each of our lives. There will be no judgment of our sins, for Christ, who is the Judge, has already died for them. Also we shall then be in His own image and likeness. But in a faithful review of the responsible Christian life of each of us there will be praise or blame, reward or loss. We shall see that in our lives down here, to quote the words of a dear servant of the Lord to me when I was a very young Christian—“all the good was of God, and all the evil of ourselves.” This subject reminds one of Paul’s words “herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men” (Acts 24:1616And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Acts 24:16)). Also “give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God” (1 Cor. 10:3232Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (1 Corinthians 10:32)).
The judgment seat of Christ will be a necessity if we are to be truly and eternally happy in the presence of the Lord. Here again we shall find the grace of our Lord exceeding abundant, and for His faithful judgment of our lives we shall be more than thankful and add our Amen! We can, too, see the fitness of the judgment seat of Christ being over before the marriage of the Lamb takes place. His wife is indeed now ready. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” (Rom. 8:3333Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (Romans 8:33)).
“Thine eye in that bright cloudless day
Shall, with supreme delight,
Thy fair and glorious bride survey
Unblemished in Thy sight.”
John the Baptist spoke of himself as “the friend of the Bridegroom.” You can depend upon it, he will be among those blessed ones who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. It is my opinion that there will be a large gathering of invited guests. The scene is not only joyful, but impressive. In contemplation of it the angel is moved to say—“these are the true sayings of God.” John is deeply moved too, so much so that he forgets for the moment that the angel is but a servant—though an honored one no doubt. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb. 1:1414Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)). The angel here is true servant of the Lord, for “He that seeketh His glory that sent Him, the Same is True” (John 7:1818He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. (John 7:18)). He prevents John from offering worship which belongs to God alone, and takes his place along with John and his brethren as a servant who had the testimony of Jesus. This incident of John and the angel is deeply instructive since in the early days of the church the worship of angels had already made its appearance (see Col. 2:1818Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (Colossians 2:18)). How much more this developed into the worship of intermediate beings we know from the history of the professing church. We hold fast by the truth of God, which is that “there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:55For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)).
Before proceeding further a question arises which needs explanation—that is why the chapter deals with such seemingly opposed subjects as the judgment of the false church and the battle of Armaggedon. As we have seen, these events are actually separated as to time. The answer is threefold. First it is to focus, in the mind of the reader, the close connection between the world and the false church, showing it not to be of God. Secondly it shows that the claims of the false bride must be considered and dealt with before the marriage of the Lamb can take place. By bringing Armaggedon into the picture, God, as it were, shows that the usurping Gentile powers must also be overthrown so Christ can rule the earth with His bride. Thirdly it shows us that the church cannot possibly pass through the tribulation for the marriage of the Lamb takes place in heaven after the judgment of the false church on earth. Also, Christ does not appear at Armageddon alone, for “the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses” (Rev. 19:1414And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)). How did they get into heaven, one might ask, if the church passed through the tribulation?
And now Christ is free to associate His people with Himself in the execution of further judgment on His enemies. Heaven opened. The heavens had once opened to a meek and lowly Jesus, when the Spirit like a dove descended upon Him, and the Father’s voice was heard exclaiming—“Thou art My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-119And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 1:9‑11)). Now heaven opens to reveal Jesus come, not now in grace but for war. Seated on a white horse—emblem of victory—His Name is “faithful and True.” We are in no doubt as to who is seated on the white horse for in Revelation 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5) we read—“Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,” and He presents Himself in the address to Philadelphia as “He that is True” (Rev. 3:77And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7)). Of his eyes as a flame of fire and His many crowns, we have already written but “He had a name written that no man knew, but He Himself.” This is His essential Deity—ever beyond the ken of the creature, as it is written—“no man knoweth the Son but the Father” (Matt. 11:2727All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (Matthew 11:27)). He has “a vesture dipped in blood”—the blood of His enemies—as it is written—“who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments from Bozrah?” (Isa. 63:11Who is this that cometh from Edom, 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. (Isaiah 63:1)). His Name is called “the Word of God.” In this latter part of our chapter distinct emphasis is laid on His Godhead glory. “The Word of God” here is identical with the expression at the opening of John’s gospel—“in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:11In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)).
And now the armies which were in heaven follow in His train on “white horses”—victorious armies, clothed in garments of unalloyed purity. “To execute upon them the judgment written; this honor have all His saints” (Psa. 149:99To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:9)). We have here the fulfillment of the prophecy uttered by Enoch, the seventh from Adam, and given to us in the fourteenth and fifteenth verses of Jude—“behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment upon all . . .” We have already covered the smiting of the nations and ruling them with a rod of iron. It is out of Christ’s own mouth the sharp sword goes to execute “the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
The Name written on His vesture and on His thigh is no secret name, but for all to see that our Jesus is “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”
The symbols given convey to us the most awful carnage one could imagine. The carnivorous birds of the heavens are called to the great supper of God—“for wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together” (Matt. 24:2828For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Matthew 24:28)). This is at last the great battle of Armageddon. What a scene at the end of this so-called enlightened age. Man, mortal man, set to wage war with God Himself, and His hosts from heaven. God, who knows the end from the beginning, has vividly depicted this very scene in the second Psalm. Once before in the history of man “the Kings of the earth, and their rulers took counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed.” Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod had each their share in this, when “in His humiliation His judgment was taken away” and “Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.” This was “let Him be crucified.” History here repeats itself. On the appearance of the Lord Himself from heaven, the Kings and rulers defiantly combine against Him, saying “let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cord’s from us.” But “the Lord shall have them in derision” and “then shall He speak unto them in His wrath.” He will “dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
The end comes swiftly. “The Beast was taken” and with him the false prophet. Where is now the worship of the Beast which he propagated his mark, or the number of his name? Here we have the fulfillment of 2 Thessalonians 2:88And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8)—“whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.” No need of a great white throne judgment for these two rebels, taken in open opposition to God. Summary judgment and everlasting torment is their portion. (See also Rev. 20:1010And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10).) And what of the other kings of the earth and their vast armies? A few words only are given—“the rest were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth” (see Note 8).