In today’s passage, from the book of Revelation, John describes the praises of heaven that will precede the victorious second coming of Christ to earth. We know that Jesus’ first arrival to earth was humble, and His purpose was fulfilled with His sacrificial death on the cross. However, when Jesus returns to earth for the second time, scripture tells us that He will come as a royal King of Heaven to judge the earth.
Today we are looking at the first nine verses of chapter 19 in Revelation. At this time the Great Tribulation will be coming to an end and John is revealing to us what heaven will look like. His vision is that of vast crowds in heaven shouting praises to the Lord. Joining in the celebration will be twenty-four elders and the four living beings, all who fall down and worship God.
In verses 7 – 9 John describes how the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and he goes into detail about the bride. These verses directly connect to what Matthew recorded about the “Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids” in chapter 25. If you recall, five of the bridesmaids were wise and ready for the wedding, while five of them were foolish and not ready. The wedding Jesus is referring to that is that of God’s people who are purely committed by salvation and faith to Him, and God’s people are represented as the bride, and we are symbolically dressed in white to reflect our pure and holy hearts before Christ. I don’t know about you, but I sure want to be prepared as the bride of the Lamb. If you have any questions about how to be prepared for “The Final Judgment” when Jesus’ returns, continue to read through Matthew 25, as Jesus gives us clear instructions in verses 31 – 46.
Revelation 19:1-9 NLT
Songs of Victory in Heaven
1 After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.
2 His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.”
3 And again their voices rang out: “Praise the Lord!The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”
4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the Lord!”
5 And from the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”
6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.
8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for providing us with clear instructions on how we are to be prepared for Your return. Please guide us each and every day with Your wisdom so that we can make choses that align with Your holiness. We want to be able to rejoice with all of heaven as You return and to not be sleeping. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.