In Revelation 18, Babylon has been
judged and shall rise no more. Now in Revelation 19, what is fitting is to
praise and worship God. So John heard the sound of a great multitude in heaven
majestically singing the great hallelujah song. This great song is
offered to God. Why? For Salvation and glory belong to Him and His judgments
are true and just. The great whore has been condemned, and the blood of God’s
servants has been avenged. Of course the rejoicing is not over the suffering of
the enemies, but because what is right is vindicated and justice met. God is
supreme. Then for a second time the hallelujah chorus rings. This time is for
Babylon’s smoke that rise forever and ever. This is to say that Babylon that
wicked city is forever gone and what’s remain of her is the smoke that will
forever rise to remind that Babylon is no more.
Quickly a third hallelujah
rings out. This time it comes from the twenty-four elders and the four living
creatures described in Revelation 4:6-11. Again they fall to their feet and
worship God who sits on the throne. And they exclaim their “Amen. Hallelujah!”
It was their emphatically echo affirming that of a truth, God deserves all the
praises! At that moment a voice is heard calling for all to give praise to God.
Yes, all God’s bond-servants, all who fear Him, both the great and small, are
summoned to give praise to God.
In
verse 6, a fourth hallelujah sounds. The praise swell to such an upsurge that the
sound is likened to the mighty roar of a waterfall and loud applauds of thunders.
Then came the exhortation to rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! The first
and second hallelujahs were sounded by the great throng of angels in heaven,
and the third came by the 24 elders with the four living creatures. This last from
the multitude that could well be the redeemed through all the ages. Hence it is
the appropriate time to announce the wedding of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7.
Indeed it has come. This bride represents all of the redeemed, the community of
God’s people in Heaven. And she is ready to make her appearance. Here a special
garment, made of linen and fit for royalty is given for her to wear. The gown is
bright and clean, symbol of moral purity, made righteous with the blood of
Christ, sanctified. One thing to take note specially is found in verse 8. John
slips in the fact that the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the
saints. Here we get the picture that good works of Christians and the fine
linen she will wear, are connected. Our righteousness is found in Christ but
what we do does not go unnoticed. It matters to the Lord.
John
was instructed to write this down: ‘Blessed are
those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” He was told that “These
are true words of God.” This
is the ultimate moment every redeemed of God is looking forward. It is such a
momentous moment for the wedding of Christ the Lamb and the whole community of
the faithful. To be invited to the wedding feast is a great honor.
In
his excitement John fell at the feet of the angel and worshiped him. He was carried
away by his feelings and made the mistake of worshiping the angel, the one who
has delivered the good news. He was told by the angel not to do it. He was
reminded that like him, the angel came to serve the purpose of Jesus. We, like
them, are here to bear the testimony of Jesus which is the testimony that Jesus
bore, faithful to death. We are all called to bear this testimony to Jesus. The
Spirit whom Jesus gives to us now, is here to help us bear this testimony
faithfully.
No comments:
Post a Comment