Whenever there is a great victory, there is usually a great celebration that follows. After long and difficult wars have been fought, when the fighting finally ceases, the victorious country will have celebrations across the land. We saw this following both World War I and World War II. Even sports teams, especially if it has been a difficult year for them, have grand celebrations after winning the championship. Our Scripture today comes from the Book of Revelation, and describes such a grand celebration after a special victory. Many people look on the Book of Revelation as a book of doom, where they read page after page of severe and catastrophic judgments being cast on the world. And though there are descriptions of severe judgments for the enemies of the Lord Jesus, it is also very much a book of praise and celebration to the Savior. Today’s Scripture passage is just such a one, giving an account of a victory celebration for Jesus.
As we read our opening verse, we read the words “after these things”. We need to look back into chapter 18 to see what “these things” are. There we read about the fall of Babylon the Great. This is not specifically referring to the former Babylonian Empire, the one that took the Kingdom of Judah captive in 586 BC. That empire no longer existed, having fallen to the Persians in 539 BC. In Revelation “Babylon” represents both a corrupt religious and political system, that in the end times have joined hands together and oppose Biblical Christianity and followers of the Lord Jesus. In chapter 18 we read of God’s judgement on this system.
Because of the fall of “Babylon”, a system that greatly persecuted God’s children, the believers, there is great celebration in heaven. We see a great multitude in heaven praising God (vs. 1-5). The twenty-four elders and four living creatures, these angelic beings whom we have met before, join in with the other angels and believers in heaven, in worshiping God, and praising His righteous justice. This is the beginning of His final victory against evil.
As we continue in our passage, we read of a marriage celebration (vs. 6-9). This is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Lamb, as we have seen earlier in the Book of Revelation, is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Bridegroom, and the Bride is the Church, all those from many nations who have been redeemed by His shed Blood, and put their faith and trust in Him. The Bride is adorned in clean and bright fine linen, which represents the righteousness she was given by faith in Jesus. This is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, where all believers are eternally united with the Lord Jesus.
Most people enjoy attending a wedding, and even more like to attend a wedding banquet which would follow. Not only is there a magnificent wedding in heaven between the Lord Jesus and His Church, but there will be a grand banquet following (vs. 9). We all love to eat, especially if the meal is good and well-prepared. I think I can safely say that the food in heaven will be spectacular, better than anything we have ever eaten here on earth!
There is one thing of interest in the Scripture passage. This is the word “Hallelujah” or its Latinized version “Alleluia”, meaning “praise the Lord” is only used four times in the Bible, and each time is in Revelation 19. The first is in verses 1-2. People call out Alleluia because God’s judgments are true and just. It is also proclaimed to the Lord because He is coming again to judge the earth, and bring vengeance for the blood of His martyrs. The second time Alleluia is sung is in verse 3. This is in honor of when the people see that the Lord God has judged those who have harmed His servants. The third time is in verse 4, when the elders and living creatures proclaim Amen for that judgment of the Lord. A voice from the throne calls all who fear God to praise Him. The final Alleluia comes in verses 6-7, and that is sung at the marriage feast of the Lamb.
As we close this passage of Scripture, we have seen that all of God’s judgments are righteous. He will rightly judge that joint religious and political world system “Babylon” with His harshest judgments, and will triumph over it. However, not only are there judgments and punishments, but there is also much praise and celebration, especially at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. At that time, where will you be standing? Everyone will be in one of two camps, either with the judgment that falls upon “Babylon”, or seated at the wedding and marriage feast. It’s one or the other, and the decision is yours. If you haven’t already, choose to turn to the Lord Jesus, accepting Him as your Savior, and you will be part of that wedding ceremony.
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