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Psalms
119:13-27 With my
lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the
way of Your testimonies, As much as
in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I
will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Deal
bountifully with Your servant, That
I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things
from Your law. I am a stranger
in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul breaks with
longing For Your judgments at all times. You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who
stray from Your commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have
kept Your testimonies. Princes also sit and
speak against me, But Your
servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors. My soul clings to
the dust; Revive me according to Your word. I have declared my ways, and You
answered me; Teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your
precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
Father God, we thank you for the beautiful snow, the
frosty designs on windows, the beauty of delicate snowflakes, etc. There is no
other artist that can match your masterpieces. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Revelation 19:1-10 NKJV
This
chapter has three main points, the first being a continuation of Chapter 18
with rejoicing that Babylon has fallen, the second part is the description of
Jesus return, and the third is the description of the removal of evil from this
earth. This lesson will be about the rejoicing of the fall of Babylon and the celebration
of the marriage supper of Jesus and his bride.
1 After
these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,
"Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
This verse starts out
with, “After these things” which speaks of the fall of Babylon from the
previous chapter. All the inhabitants of Heaven are rejoicing and praising God.
Some say the “great multitude” is in reference to only the 144,000, but as we
read on we will see that it is all in Heaven rejoicing. To think it is only the
144,000 is absurd, when reading the following verses, and that is why you have
to read verses before and after a particular verse you are interpreting. (A
good rule of thumb is 7 verses before and 7 verses after.) Scripture tells us
that in the spiritual world evil spirits interfere with God’s messengers and
Jesus, causing havoc, so why wouldn’t everyone in Heaven rejoice in the fall of
Babylon and the return of Jesus Christ? Daniel records an event involving evil
spirit interference.
Daniel was praying and
fasting for 21 days and Christ finally appeared to him. Christ was delayed for
21 days by the prince of Persia. Some say this was an angel that appeared to
Daniel, but the description is like descriptions given describing Jesus,
therefore my belief is it was Jesus that appeared to Daniel. Daniel 10:5-6 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a
certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!
6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his
eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color,
and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. In chapter one of Revelation we have a
description of Jesus by John which is of the same. Revelation 1:13-15 and in the
midst of the seven lampstands One
like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about
the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a
flame of fire; 15
His feet were like fine brass,
as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.
Why was Jesus detained? We
aren’t given the details, but whatever it was, it was of importance and Michael
was called upon to take Jesus place so that He could go to Daniel’s aid. Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia
withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes,
came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
So all in Heaven are
giving God a fourfold alleluia of salvation, glory, honor, and power because
the Battle of Armageddon is about to commence and all of evil will be wiped from
earth. “Thy kingdom come thy will be
done” is about to happen. It is Praise that is the heartfelt response to
God by those who love him. The more you get to know Jesus and realize what he
has done, the more you will respond with praise. Praise is at the heart of true
worship.
2 For true
and righteous are His
judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with
her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her."
For
true and righteous are His
judgments; “His
judgments”, are of course referring to God almighty. His judgments are true;
there is no other that judges with such righteousness as God. The judgments
referred to here is pertaining to the Great Tribulations and the fall of the
great harlot. Man thinks he can judge, but man judges many times with emotions
and to please man and not God. This is why the world is in such a sad state
that it is in presently.
Because
He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; This judgment of Babylon is directed
at the false religions the great harlot promoted. Religions that promote
salvation can be obtained through good deeds and not a spiritual birth/Born
Again meaning faith in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. Even though
during the Great Tribulation all religions will be wiped out around the world,
they will be replace with the greatest false religion of all, and that will be
worshipping the beast.
And
He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her;
With the destruction of the harlot, God has avenged the blood of all that gave
their life for the cause of Christ for all time.
3 Again
they said, "Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!"
Just as in verse one an
“Alleluia” rings out again because all that Babylon represented is gone
forever, to be no more because Jesus is about to rule forever. Her smoke that
rises up must be a sweet savory odor to those in Heaven just like the smoke of
a sacrifice was to God during OT times.
4 And the
twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God
who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!"
This verse tells us that
all in Heaven will be rejoicing when Babylon is destroyed as stated in verse
one. The twenty four elders and the four living beasts also fall down and
worship God for His will being done on earth as it is in Heaven. This is the
third “Alleluia” but also proceeded
with an “Amen” signifying all in
Heaven are in complete agreement with God. It’s been a long time in coming and
the day is at hand for Jesus to return on His white horse.
The twenty-four elders
represent all men, women, and children that are Born Again Saints, while the
four living beast represent all of creation that God created. It will be after
Jesus return that creation will be able to live according to God’s intended
purpose. Isaiah 11:6-9 "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and
the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and
the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion
shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole,
And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. 9 They shall
not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of
the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.
5 Then a
voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants
and those who fear Him, both small and great!"
Then
a voice came from the throne, saying; This
voice is not identified, but is no doubt an angel, one of Gods messengers.
Praise
our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great; This voice is rallying all in Heaven
to give God praise; all that serve Him; all that fear Him; and all of various ranks.
All that serve him is pretty much self explanatory, but what about those that
fear Him? It is not that those in Heaven fear God, but it is fear of eternal
Hell that brought these saved souls to repentance and they asked Jesus into their
heart. These are the individuals this voice is rallying to praise God. Here on
earth as human beings we fear power, whether it is people of great power or the
power of a machine, we respect out of fear. A police officer we respect and
fear what can happen to us if we disobey the laws and it is the same type of respect
and fear when we come to realize the truth of God’s Holy Word that inspires us
to be obedient and fear God’s wrath. God is omnipotent and righteous, therefore
we bow down and praise Him out of love, respect, and fear.
The small and great refers
to the ranking order of those in Heaven. Just like the angels, there are angels
of higher rank than others and the same will be with individuals. God’s Saints
will have different duties in Heaven based on what they did for God’s kingdom
here on earth, therefore there will be some type of rank. When God’s children
stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ they will receive their rewards based
on what they did for Jesus here on earth. Revelation 22:12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one
according to his work. 1 Corinthians 3:12-14
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's
work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be
revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it
is. 14
If anyone's work which he has built on it
endures, he will receive a reward. 2 John 1:7-9
For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ
as coming in the flesh. This is
a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those
things we worked for, but that
we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the
doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ
has both the Father and the Son. Colossians 3:23-24
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing
that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you
serve the Lord Christ.
6 And I
heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters
and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord
God Omnipotent reigns!
Every voice in Heaven
joins in with praising God saying, “Alleluia!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” There are so many voices they all run
together to sound like the roar of the water going over Niagara Falls; or the waves crashing on the
shore; or the rumble of thunder. Any person that is a spirit filled believer,
praises God on a continual basis. It is part of the change or regeneration of a
person when they come to Christ.
7 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."
Let
us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory; What this pertains to is what Jesus did for us on the
Cross. He died and was resurrected so that all would have a chance to believe
and place their faith in Jesus. Without this there would only be a minute number
of people worthy of Heaven. This is something to shout about!
For
the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready;
Who is the Lamb’s wife? It
is Born Again Saints of all times, from the beginning of time to the Second
coming of Jesus. What will the marriage ceremony be? We don’t know for sure,
but scripture gives us a hint in Revelation
21:9-10 Then one of the seven angels
who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and
talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's
wife." 10
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed
me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. We also have a hint in this verse; Revelation 21:2-3
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard
a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with
them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. Putting the puzzle pieces together could
the ceremony be that the Lord will take His resurrected people and place them
in that Holy City, the New Jerusalem, where they will be with Him for eternity?
8 And to
her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine
linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
“And to her”, is referring
to the bride and of course all redeemed individuals will be clothed in white
representing holiness. This clothing could very well be clothing of light
because those in Heaven will have glorified bodies. Clothed in light so bright
it would appear as a covering. Whenever God appeared it was as a bright light,
and as redeemed souls we will be like Him. We know sin has a clothing of
nakedness based on Adam and Eve after their fall. It is very possible they had
a glow about them and their body form could not be distinguished before they
disobeyed God. Many scriptures speak of this clothing of light. Psalms 104:2 Who cover Yourself
with light as with a garment,
Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. Psalms
17:15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be
satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those
who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. Matthew 13:43 Then the
righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who
has ears to hear, let him hear! 1 John 3:2
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we
shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we
shall see Him as He is.
9 Then he
said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are
those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to
me, "These are the true sayings of God."
Then
he said to me; Who is
“he”? The next verse tells us that he is a man of equal rank.
"Write:
'Blessed are those who are
called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me,
"These are the true sayings of God."; “Blessed are those”, pertains to all
Born Again believers and this man is telling John to record the events of the
marriage supper, and accepting and believing the message of the Cross, will be
the invitation to the wedding celebration. Once recorded in God’s Word they will
be true and something a person can bank on.
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he
said to me, "See that you do
not do that! I am your fellow
servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For
the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Since John fell at this
person’s feet, this person must be in apparel similar to what Jesus wore, but
it is clear that he was a person that was saved by faith through the finished
works of the Cross based on the description he gave to John of himself.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created
that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him
and for Him.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God."
Bill
Wiesbrock https://www.facebook.com/bill.wiesbrock?ref=tn_tnmn
Sinners
Prayer; Pray this, and if you believe it with your heart, Jesus will save you!
“Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner. I confess my sins to you; I am sorry for my
sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a sinful lifestyle.) of all my
sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness of all of my sins. I believe that only you can forgive sin. I commit my life to you and ask you to come
into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life. I believe that you died to set me free from my
sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and right
now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are the Son
of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my Savior.” I believe this and have faith you will make a
new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart and lead
me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.”
(John 3:16,17; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1
John 5:11-14; 1:6-10) (Sin: Rom.
1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-7)
