It is plain that what the verse contemplates is neither the Roman power when there was one head of the empire, nor the eastern or Byzantine part of it after that partition, nor the western state of division under the kings who succeeded the deposition of Augustulus; for in the medieval state there may have been ten kings (in contrast with the ancient state of the beast without them but no beast or imperial system with its chiefs. I speak not of anything that might be deemed exceptional or peculiar, but of two acts of raising saints. And the devil that deceiveth them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where both the beast and the false prophet [are], and they shall be tormented day and night unto the ages of the ages.". Link with Johns vision of Revelation 19:11-16 a meditation on the Hymn "Crown Him with many crowns" and also the stirring Hymn "Onward Christian soldiers." Of course the other is true. There were two particular effects of her evil: the one, illicit commerce with the kings of the earth; the other, intoxicating the inhabitants of the earth with the wine of her fornication. We had Babylon with a spuriously ecclesiastical but a really murderous character, and at the same time guilty of corruption with the kings of the earth. I am your fellow-servant and the fellow-servant of your brothers who possess the testimony which Jesus gave. He uses a "staff" to gently nudge or guide his sheep. "Praise our God," says the voice, "all you his servants, you who fear him." It is not now the temple opened there, and the ark of the covenant seen when Israel's security is seen, as the object of God's counsels; nor is it a door opened above, as we saw it when the prophet was giving his introduction to the prophecy of God's dealings with the world as a whole, though in both cases all manifestly clusters round the Lord Jesus. His secret name indicates his unique authority (11-12). His grace be with all! Had it been simply a persecution from pagans, what was there to wonder at in their deadly hatred of the truth and of those who confess it? Man alone is to blame who has misapplied it. The ambiguity springs from the fact that the testimony of Jesus can bear either of two meanings. (i) He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, not his own but that of his enemies. Jesus found Himself at opposition with the religious forces of His day and it was the religious people who prompted the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is energised for weal or for woe." Then we have a description of Babylon given. Though the divine vengeance will chiefly fall upon the beast, and the false prophet, yet it will be no excuse to those who fight under their banner that they only followed their leaders and obeyed their command; since they would fight for them, they must fall and perish with them. Who are the persons thus invested with judicial authority of so glorious a nature and to reign, as we see later, with Christ? The church cannot hear of Him as the bright morning star without at once desiring that He should come. As man does not believe in the resurrection of man, it is no wonder that he does not believe in the resurrection of an empire. When God is so gracious, His word rich, full, and deep, it does seem sad to see His children content with just enough to save their souls, or keep them from positive starvation. Then follows a description of the wall, gates, foundations, and general position. If you are a believer, do not be afraid, even if you know but little; for the Lord neither forgets nor slights those who may be comparatively unintelligent. The Jewish marriage consisted of three major elements: (3) The marriage feast (supper), as was discussed just before. The description of the warrior Christ is further filled in. The fine linen the bride is clothed in represents the righteous acts of the They are not part of the body of Christ. But, further, we find that the saints who had suffered for Christ, during the time that the others were in heaven, are now reunited to their bodies and live, the Lord waiting for the last martyr that He might not leave out one of those who had died for His name. Like a novel, the storyline builds from front to back, with the characters, themes and plot elements introduced early and developed across many chapters. It is the "Word of God" that will conquor nations, not physical armies using force. Religions tell you that you have to do certain things in order to please God. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away." Let it be carefully observed here that the first resurrection does not mean all rising exactly at the same moment. There was never a time when the Christian was called upon to undergo such suffering and to accept so continually the prospect of a cruel death. It has been suggested that the name is either embroidered on his girdle or engraved on his sword hilt. From the manner in which resurrection is referred to in scripture, does not God leave room for this? church. These twenty-four elders, I believe, as I said before, are two groups of twelve, No. Be wise now therefore, O you kings, be instructed, you rulers of the earth; kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way,Psalms 2:10; Psalms 2:12. . The voice that came out of the throne said what? 2:18-19). Verse 10. - WG, and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty . and so forth. What's amazing is that the Father never calls His Son "My God," though there are at least 7 times in the NT where Jesus called the Father "My God." twice on the cross, once on resurrection morning with Mary, and 4 times in Revelation 3.12. It is all centered around Him. On the other, it is the first of seven final things that John saw and recorded. It is said that the judgments of God are true and just. Without Jesus, there "Yet is" is a most unfortunate expression. The Sinai MS. has both. Thus nothing can be simpler or more beautiful than the way in which this verse sums up the Revelation as a whole. Revelation 19 Commentary - Geneva Study Bible And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: It is not complicated, just bare all to God. to Top That is, it is simply an expression of the homage that they pay. He spoke these things into existence; the power of the Word of God.If we would only realize the power of the Word of God. When Christ came personally to judge and govern the quick (Revelation 20:4), there were thrones; for the risen saints reign with Him. For I am not aware that any scripture treats of the subject, beyond laying down principles such as we have sought to apply to the case. to Top, Other Books of the Bible But according to His principle of government it is not merely personal guilt, but that which, from despising the testimony of God, is thus morally accumulating from age to age in the ratio of the testimony of God and the wickedness that has been indulged by men in spite of it. ). It is not only that the angel corrects the act by asserting that he is a fellow-servant of him and of his brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. If that is so of human words, how much truer it is of the divine word. Jeremiah hears God say and appeal: "Return, O faithless children, for I am your master" ( Jeremiah 3:14). Babylon had once heard the varied testimony of God; for what had she not heard of truth? would be no salvation. These words of praise here are focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. Then heaven is opened, and for a sight most solemn. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. (i) It can mean the witness which the Christian bears to Jesus Christ. He is urged to take up the same cry. All who have looked back on the history know, that when the ten kings appeared, there was no beast or imperial power. Not only are they supposed to be coexistent, but united in their change of feeling against Babylon. and ever.". And the Spirit and the bride say, Come: and let him that heareth say, Come: and let him that is athirst come: let him that will take the water of life freely." "Alive the two were cast into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." "Surely I come quickly." It will be interesting to find out. "And when the thousand years are completed, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to war." var _gaq = _gaq || []; Nothing of the sort can be plainer. Here is a picture which is essentially Jewish. The Jews had the idea that, when the Messiah came, God's people would, as it were, be entertained by God to a great Messianic Banquet. 14 We have already met this description in Revelation 1:14 and Revelation 2:18. That age of visible glory is inefficacious to change the heart of man, though in the absence of the enemy and the controlling presence of the great King, they render feigned obedience for a long while. "True and righteous are thy judgments, O Lord." The word that goes forth out of His mouth. A further account of the triumphant song of angels and saints for the fall of Babylon, ver 1-4. Verse 2. This shout of rejoicing begins with Hallelujah. almighty: having unlimited power. The Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. (i) In certain circles of Judaism the angels had a very large place. In short, no testimony can avail, no work, power, or glory without the word of God applied by the Spirit of God. The pronoun he is emphaticHe Himself, by Himself, as is there expressed. First, "I saw thrones, and they sat upon them." And I saw heaven open, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True ( Revelation 19:11 ). Now we see the tree of life again. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the Book of Revelation one by one. My righteousness is something God accounts and imputes to me because of my faith in Jesus Christ. So, vultures are invited from all over the earth to come and feast on the supper that God prepares. essence of all true prophecy. But what I particularly call your attention to is the exceeding importance of heeding the retrospect at the bride, or new Jerusalem here, and the consequent removal of the difficulty caused by taking the last vision of this book as part of the prophetic series which begins in Revelation 19:1-21. You just have to come on the basis of God's grace and love for you and cast yourself upon His mercy, but that God is merciful. What confusion! The rebellion that had begun in the Garden of Eden is finally ended. "And death and hades were cast into the lake of fire. (i) There is love. Godly people love righteousness and hate sin, for righteousness Revelation 19 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Here we find the term "Alleluia" used really for the first in the New Testament and it is used four times here. "His eyes are like a flame of fire" seeing all the secrets of our lives. God will judge Israel, namely, Jews living when He returns (Ezekiel 20:33-38), and the Gentiles living then (Matthew 25:31-46). 4:13-18). This is of great importance. At the same time you will mark that these are not said to be executors of judgment as Christ is. Then entire sorry results of human depravity will finally be vanquished. This is accordingly traced in our chapter with considerable detail, and with the sorrow and vexation of all the different classes who on the fall of Babylon groaned over her destruction, and the loss of their wealth and enjoyment. Thus was concluded all dealing on the Lord's part with both soul and body, and all that pertains to either. But we can understand that the Lord could and did make that little go far, and do no little good. If ancient times failed fully to meet the requirements of the chapter, it is evident that the middle ages are passed without its fulfilment as a whole.