Rejoicing over Babylon’s FallRejoicing over Babylon’s Fallandand

The Coming of the King of The Coming of the King of KingsKings

Revelation 19:1-21Revelation 19:1-21

The Seven BowlsThe Seven Bowls(Rev 12:1 – 19:10)(Rev 12:1 – 19:10)

Background of the Bowls (12:1 – Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20)14:20)

Rejoicing over and Preparation for the Rejoicing over and Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-8)Seven Last Plagues (15:1-8)

Pouring out of the Seven Bowls (16:1-Pouring out of the Seven Bowls (16:1-21)21)

The History and Fall of Babylon (17:1 The History and Fall of Babylon (17:1 – 19:10)– 19:10)

Religious Babylon Destroyed (17:1-18)Religious Babylon Destroyed (17:1-18) Commercial Babylon Destroyed (18:1-24)Commercial Babylon Destroyed (18:1-24) Rejoicing over Babylon’s Fall (19:1-10)Rejoicing over Babylon’s Fall (19:1-10)

Closing Visions of JohnClosing Visions of John(Rev 19:11 – 22:5)(Rev 19:11 – 22:5)

The Coming of the King of Kings The Coming of the King of Kings (19:11-16)(19:11-16)

The Invitation to the Birds of Prey The Invitation to the Birds of Prey (19:17-18)(19:17-18)

The Defeat of the Beasts (19:19-21)The Defeat of the Beasts (19:19-21)

Four Songs in Celebration of Four Songs in Celebration of the Fall of Babylon (Rev 19:1-the Fall of Babylon (Rev 19:1-

5)5)

A large multitude praising God for His A large multitude praising God for His judgment on the harlot (19:1-2)judgment on the harlot (19:1-2) ““Hallelujah” means “praise the Lord.” It Hallelujah” means “praise the Lord.” It

is a call to praise in vv. 1, 3, and 6, and a is a call to praise in vv. 1, 3, and 6, and a response of praise in v. 4. response of praise in v. 4.

The song in vv. 1-2 celebrates the arrival The song in vv. 1-2 celebrates the arrival of God’s salvation (i.e. His victory), glory, of God’s salvation (i.e. His victory), glory, and power. God is praised because of His and power. God is praised because of His fairness and righteousness in judging the fairness and righteousness in judging the great harlot.great harlot.

Four Songs in Celebration of Four Songs in Celebration of the Fall of Babylon (Rev 19:1-the Fall of Babylon (Rev 19:1-

5)5) The same multitude celebrating Babylon’s The same multitude celebrating Babylon’s

judgment (19:3)judgment (19:3) The reason for praise here is that Babylon’s destruction The reason for praise here is that Babylon’s destruction

is complete and irreversible, as demonstrated by the is complete and irreversible, as demonstrated by the smoke that arises forever and ever.smoke that arises forever and ever.

A response of agreement and praise from the 24 A response of agreement and praise from the 24 elders and 4 living beings (19:4)elders and 4 living beings (19:4)

These beings were prominent in chapters 4 and 5 and These beings were prominent in chapters 4 and 5 and made brief appearances in 11:16 and 14:3. made brief appearances in 11:16 and 14:3.

They make one final appearance here to celebrate the They make one final appearance here to celebrate the completion of God’s judgment, agreeing with what has completion of God’s judgment, agreeing with what has already been sung and falling down in worship before already been sung and falling down in worship before the throne.the throne.

A voice from the throne inviting praise to God by A voice from the throne inviting praise to God by all His slaves (19:5)all His slaves (19:5)

An authoritative voice cries out for the slaves of God, all An authoritative voice cries out for the slaves of God, all those who fear Him, to give praise to God.those who fear Him, to give praise to God.

One Song in Celebration of the One Song in Celebration of the Marriage of the Lamb (Rev Marriage of the Lamb (Rev

19:6-8)19:6-8) This song celebrates the beginning of the This song celebrates the beginning of the

reign of the Lord God Almighty.reign of the Lord God Almighty. It turns from looking back at the judgment of It turns from looking back at the judgment of

the harlot to looking forward to the marriage the harlot to looking forward to the marriage of the Lamb, which is the consummation of of the Lamb, which is the consummation of the union between Christ and His people.the union between Christ and His people.

The harlot has been judged, the wedding The harlot has been judged, the wedding party is in place, and the marriage is about party is in place, and the marriage is about to begin. to begin.

Points of Clarification Points of Clarification There is a distinction between the wedding and There is a distinction between the wedding and

the feast that celebrates it.the feast that celebrates it. The wedding is initiated in heaven with the rapture of the The wedding is initiated in heaven with the rapture of the

church saints, because when they return with Christ they church saints, because when they return with Christ they have already put on their wedding apparel (19:8, 14). have already put on their wedding apparel (19:8, 14).

But the celebration of that union with a grand wedding But the celebration of that union with a grand wedding feast takes place on the earth. This feast is first feast takes place on the earth. This feast is first celebrated in the millennial reign of Christ on the present celebrated in the millennial reign of Christ on the present earth, then continues through the new heavens and new earth, then continues through the new heavens and new earth.earth.

Is the bride the redeemed of national Israel only, Is the bride the redeemed of national Israel only, the redeemed of the church only, or the redeemed the redeemed of the church only, or the redeemed of all time from both Israel and the church?of all time from both Israel and the church? In the OT, God is the bridegroom of Israel (Isa 54:6; Jer In the OT, God is the bridegroom of Israel (Isa 54:6; Jer

31:32; Ezek 16:7-14; Hos 2:16, 19).31:32; Ezek 16:7-14; Hos 2:16, 19). In the NT, Christ is the bridegroom of the church (2 Cor In the NT, Christ is the bridegroom of the church (2 Cor

11:2; Eph 5:25-27). 11:2; Eph 5:25-27).

Conclusion of Section on Babylon Conclusion of Section on Babylon & John’s response (19:9-10)& John’s response (19:9-10)

The same angel who began this discourse on Babylon in The same angel who began this discourse on Babylon in 17:1 now concludes it in 19:9 by pronouncing a blessing for 17:1 now concludes it in 19:9 by pronouncing a blessing for those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. In the culture of John’s day, a wedding feast began on the eve In the culture of John’s day, a wedding feast began on the eve

of the wedding and continued for many days. of the wedding and continued for many days. Here the wedding feast begins the kingdom of God on earth. Here the wedding feast begins the kingdom of God on earth.

The bride is the church, and the invited guests are all the other The bride is the church, and the invited guests are all the other saints who are committed to Jesus.saints who are committed to Jesus.

The declaration that “these are true words of God” refers The declaration that “these are true words of God” refers all the way back to 17:1 and includes all the revelations and all the way back to 17:1 and includes all the revelations and prophecies made since then.prophecies made since then.

John is strongly rebuked when he falls down to worship the John is strongly rebuked when he falls down to worship the angel and reminded that the angel was also only a servant angel and reminded that the angel was also only a servant of God.of God. The angel further explains that both angels and humans who The angel further explains that both angels and humans who

speak divine revelation (i.e. prophets) do so on the basis of the speak divine revelation (i.e. prophets) do so on the basis of the divine witness of Jesus. Thus it is only appropriate that God divine witness of Jesus. Thus it is only appropriate that God alone, as the ultimate source of that witness, receive the alone, as the ultimate source of that witness, receive the worship of those who are impressed with the revelation. worship of those who are impressed with the revelation.

Closing Visions of JohnClosing Visions of John(Rev 19:11 – 22:5)(Rev 19:11 – 22:5)

The words “and I saw” that begin v. 11 are The words “and I saw” that begin v. 11 are used to mark off 8 successive scenes that used to mark off 8 successive scenes that make up the action part of the 7th bowl.make up the action part of the 7th bowl. Christ’s return as a warrior-king (19:11-16)Christ’s return as a warrior-king (19:11-16) The invitation to the birds of prey (19:17-18)The invitation to the birds of prey (19:17-18) The defeat of the beasts (19:19-21)The defeat of the beasts (19:19-21) The binding of Satan (20:1-3)The binding of Satan (20:1-3) The millennium and the defeat of Satan (20:4-10)The millennium and the defeat of Satan (20:4-10) The placement of the Great White Throne (20:11)The placement of the Great White Throne (20:11) The judgment of those whose names are missing The judgment of those whose names are missing

from the Book of Life (20:12-15)from the Book of Life (20:12-15) The new heaven and the new earth (21:1-8)The new heaven and the new earth (21:1-8)

Christ’s Return as Warrior-King Christ’s Return as Warrior-King (Rev 19:11-16)(Rev 19:11-16)

The OT prophets foresaw Messiah coming as a The OT prophets foresaw Messiah coming as a warrior in the last days to destroy His enemies warrior in the last days to destroy His enemies and establish His kingdom upon the earth (e.g. Isa and establish His kingdom upon the earth (e.g. Isa 13:4; 31:4; 42:13; Ezek. 38-39; Joel 3; Zech 14:3).13:4; 31:4; 42:13; Ezek. 38-39; Joel 3; Zech 14:3).

Christ came the first time on a donkey, but here Christ came the first time on a donkey, but here he returns on a white horse, a symbol of triumph. he returns on a white horse, a symbol of triumph.

He comes as both a judge and a warrior, He comes as both a judge and a warrior, discharging both responsibilities in perfect discharging both responsibilities in perfect righteousness.righteousness. Eyes “like a flame of fire” emphasize that nothing Eyes “like a flame of fire” emphasize that nothing

escapes his notice. escapes his notice. Multiple crowns on His head are appropriate because He Multiple crowns on His head are appropriate because He

is the King of kings and possesses the right to rule the is the King of kings and possesses the right to rule the world.world.

The name which nobody knows will remain unknown The name which nobody knows will remain unknown until He comes.until He comes.

His robed dipped in blood is not His own blood, but that His robed dipped in blood is not His own blood, but that of His enemies as He sheds it and it splatters on His of His enemies as He sheds it and it splatters on His clothing (cf. Isa 63:1-6; Rev 14). clothing (cf. Isa 63:1-6; Rev 14).

Christ’s Return as Warrior-King Christ’s Return as Warrior-King (Rev 19:11-16)(Rev 19:11-16)

Note that the warrior does not come alone. Note that the warrior does not come alone. With Him is an army clothed in white, but they With Him is an army clothed in white, but they

carry no swords or spears. They come in carry no swords or spears. They come in support of the Messiah, but He does not need support of the Messiah, but He does not need them to wage the battle. These are “the called them to wage the battle. These are “the called and chosen and faithful” (Rev 17:14).and chosen and faithful” (Rev 17:14).

The weaponry of the Messiah includes a The weaponry of the Messiah includes a sword and a rod.sword and a rod. The words of Christ (“the sword of His mouth”) The words of Christ (“the sword of His mouth”)

have the power to kill His enemies.have the power to kill His enemies. In this context, to rule with a rod of iron is to In this context, to rule with a rod of iron is to

destroy (see Psa 2:8-12; Rev 2:27, 12:5). destroy (see Psa 2:8-12; Rev 2:27, 12:5). He is King of kings and Lord of lords!He is King of kings and Lord of lords!

Invitation to the Birds of Prey Invitation to the Birds of Prey (Rev 19:17-18)(Rev 19:17-18)

The angel’s prominent position in the The angel’s prominent position in the sky makes him visible to all the birds.sky makes him visible to all the birds.

His invitation to these birds His invitation to these birds anticipates the outcome of the battle anticipates the outcome of the battle to come: a tremendous slaughter of to come: a tremendous slaughter of mankind, with the corpses providing mankind, with the corpses providing a feast of flesh for these birds.a feast of flesh for these birds.

The victims include all classes of The victims include all classes of mankind. mankind.

The Defeat of the Beasts The Defeat of the Beasts (Rev 19:19-21)(Rev 19:19-21)

This is the battle with those gathered at This is the battle with those gathered at Armageddon, already anticipated in Rev Armageddon, already anticipated in Rev 16:16.16:16.

The Messiah meets and defeats the beast, the The Messiah meets and defeats the beast, the false prophet, and the kings of the earth who false prophet, and the kings of the earth who served as their allies during the reign of the served as their allies during the reign of the beast.beast. The beast and the false prophet are cast alive into The beast and the false prophet are cast alive into

the lake of fire, the site of punishment after the lake of fire, the site of punishment after judgment.judgment.

The kings of the earth and their armies are killed The kings of the earth and their armies are killed with the sword of Christ’s mouth (i.e. a verbal with the sword of Christ’s mouth (i.e. a verbal pronouncement), and their flesh is eaten by the pronouncement), and their flesh is eaten by the birds. birds.

Next Week: The Millennium & Next Week: The Millennium & the White Throne Judgmentthe White Throne Judgment

Read Rev 19:11 – 20:15Read Rev 19:11 – 20:15