Vol.4, No.52 – December 29, 2019, Countdown to the end – 39
I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy –Revelation 19:10
The purpose of all prophecy is to tell about Jesus!
Every being in the universe, inspired by a love of God, from the humblest saint to the mightiest of the cherubim, joins in the swelling chorus. It reverberates and rolls, echoes and swells, resounds and grows until it is a mighty waterfall of sound, a thunderous roar – Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! –John Phillips
John begins this section (chapter 19) saying, “I heard.”
This is the great beginning, the preparation for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. At the very instant (faster than an instant) one accepts Christ as Savior, the invisible engagement ring is present. There is also the earnest of the Holy Spirit. The wedding schedule is in place; has been for over 2000 years (actually longer as God chose the date in eternity past).
Wedding bells are sounding. The bride comes—it is a long line; yet, the central figure is the Lamb, who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'” And he said to me, “Those are the true words of God.” (19:9)
- The church is the bride
- The church is the redeemed
- The church takes her place at the wedding table
- The church includes patriarchs, prophets, princes, priests, scribes, and saints
- The church has made ready, clothed in fine linen, bright and pure
Chapter 19 concludes with John saying, “I saw.”
What he sees is judgment executed; Heaven’s door is open. The time is for God to settle accounts with the godless crowd running the earth (19:11-12). And so, the scene switches, shifts, from Heaven and the marriage banquet of joy, to the earth and judgment upon the enemies of God. This is the total war known as Armageddon.
Christ was directing earth’s affairs from His throne in Heaven; now Christ leaves Heaven and in an instant of time arrives as the Rider on a White Horse. The Lord Jesus leads the armies. We can speculate somewhat, the makeup of the armies. They could include Old Testament saints, the Church, and the saints coming out of the Great Tribulation. Regardless of the particulars, the armies are united and magnificent. They are!
God speaks and the war is over. [Wow!] The blasphemous, loud-mouthed Beast is stricken where he stands. The False Prophet, the miracle-working windbag from the pit is punctured and still. The pair of them are bundled up and hurled headlong into the everlasting flames. Thus ends the Battle of Armageddon! –John Phillips
Worthy are you, our Lord and God! Revelation 4:11
He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches! Revelation 2:7
Behold, Jesus is coming soon Revelation 22:6
Life Application
God finishes what He chooses, elects, predestinates. His plan is sovereign and no one can manipulate Him to domesticate Him into their own image. God warns, and is immutable. Ought we be more urgent in speaking the Gospel to those who desperately need the salvation of the Lord?
Thought for the Season
Jesus was born to die in our place so that we who were dead would be born again to new life. Jesus was born to give us life. The Christmas story has all the drama of a death-to-life story, because the baby in the manger came to die in order to give life to all who believe in Him –Paul Tripp, in Come Let us Adore Him
