The Way - Day 229 (Revelation 19)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Revelation 19:6-21
The seventh bowl (vial) judgment has just finished. It detailed the demise (Revelation 17) and final destruction (Revelation 18) of the evil city of Babylon. For seven years it had been the capital city of the Antichrist and all kinds of evil and deception had corrupted the people of the earth. Heaven reacted favorably that Babylon has been finally judged for her sins and spiritual apostasy (19:1-5).

After these events, John hears the voices of many people declaring…

"Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:6-7)

Many have referred to this proclamation as the marriage supper of the Lamb. This time is when the church is united with Christ, never to be separated from Him again; of course, this marriage supper also includes the converted from all ages. This marriage supper follows the seven-year tribulation period, but is prior to the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. The celebration of believers being united with Jesus Christ will continue throughout His millennial reign.

The next thing John sees is heaven opened up and someone riding on a white horse. John describes the rider of the white horse.

"Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns...." (19:11-12)

The rider, Jesus Christ, will finally return to earth (His second coming) as He had promised in Matthew 24:27-31 and John writes that He will "…rule them with a rod of iron [righteous judgment]" (19:15). Distinct from all other rulers the world has ever seen, Jesus' reign will be characterized by holiness and justice. As Jesus returns, "…the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses" (19:14). This indicates that a battle is getting ready to take place, which is known as the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus is leading believers from all ages to battle against the remaining forces of evil on the earth. An angel calls for the birds to gather so they can feed on the flesh of those who will be killed (19:17-18). The Antichrist will also gather his armies together to fight against Jesus and His people (19:19); however, this does not seem like much of a battle. The Antichrist is immediately captured as well as the false prophet and those who worshipped the image (19:20). The false prophet and those who worshiped the image of the Antichrist are thrown into the lake of fire, being the first of multitudes who will spend eternity there because of their rejection of Jesus Christ (19:20b). Revelation 19 ends with John writing…

"And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh." (Revelation 19:21)

The only people left surviving will be those who have believed in Jesus Christ. This day will be a victorious day for Jesus because evil has been wiped from the earth; however, this day will be the last for those who have hated God and rejected His Son, Jesus, as the only way for salvation.

Dear God, I rejoice in knowing that You will have the victory over sin. I look forward to Your soon return and righteous rule over the earth!