“Victory”

Friday, February 23, 2018

Victory - Revelation 19

How will it all end? That is the question everyone wants toknow. Revelation 19 is about victory, triumph and praise. It is a scene of exultation. John hears praise of God coming from heaven four times (Rev. 19:1,3, 4, 6). This is heaven’s alleluia and it will be sung for these reasons.

First, God has judged His enemies (vs. 1-4).  This song emphasizes that God is true and righteous. Also, that he is to be glorified by His judgments.

Second, God is reigning (vs. 5-6). God has been reigning. Evil men have had their day. Now the time has come for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Third, the bride is ready ( vs. 7-10). Before we can appreciate this we need to consider three aspects of an ancient Eastern wedding ritual that are distinct from modern Western customs: (1) the marriage supper, (2) the bride, and (3) the garments she wears.

Prior to the marriage supper, a public betrothal is made which was regarded as more binding than our modern custom of engagement. When the time arrives for the marriage to be consummated, the groom, arrayed in his best attire and accompanied by his friends, forms a procession and goes to the home of his betrothed where he receives the bride and then brings her to his own home (Matt. 25:1-13). The usual festivities lasted seven days or longer.

The second custom to be understood is the fact that the one who was espoused (betrothed) was considered to be the bride of the groom even before the marriage supper (Deut. 22:23-24). For example, Mary was called Joseph's wife when she was betrothed to Joseph before they came together in sexual union. (Matt. 1:18, 20).

Among the Jews, the betrothal was so far regarded as binding that, if marriage should not take place, because of the absconding of the bridegroom or the breach of contract on his part, the young woman could not be married to another man until she was liberated by a due process and a paper of divorce (ISBE III: 1997).

During the betrothal period the groom pays the dowry to the father of the bride, and he prepares for the wedding feast wherethe marriage will ultimately be completed.

The church is currently "espoused" (betrothed) unto the Lord” (2 Cor. 11:2); therefore its relationship to Christ is that of a wife (Eph. 5:22-33; Rom. 7:4). In the Old Testament the nation of Israel was espoused unto the Lord (Jer. 2:2, 32), thus the relationship shared with Him was often referred to as a marriage (Isa. 50:1; 54:5-7; Ezek. 16). The analogy of the Lord with His people of the New Testament era is expressed in the same terminology. Therefore the church is the bride of Christ (John 3:29; Rev. 21:9). Christ has paid the dowry for the church; He has bought His bride with His own blood (Eph. 5:25; Acts 20:28). The actual occasion of the perfect union with Christ, the complete and final blessed consummation of the church with Christ, is reserved until after the final judgment day. This great union is described in chapters 21 and 22. During the betrothal period the bride must make herself ready by arraying herself in righteous apparel.

Fourth, Christ will return (vs. 11-20:3). He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16).  His judgments are righteous altogether. Whoever or whatever the beast is that opposes Him and His people will be defeated. 

How will all this turn out? God wins! So can we. No wonder there was a great multitude in heaven singing Alleluia!

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