Beloved, I have the joy of sharing with you today the above theme from Rev 19:1 and following. Indeed, Babylon’s deception, its claim to be the Church, has been publicly confused. Now the Lord presents His true Bride to the guests of the heavenly banquet. Heaven bursts into praise because it contemplates in it the extent of God’s grace and glory.
To the joy of the bride groom will be answered that of the Bride! She prepared herself and her adornment consists in the righteous deeds of the saints that God granted them to perform when they were on earth. But those who are “invited” will also be filled with joy. For “he who has the Bride is the Bridegroom, but the bridegroom’s friend is all rejoiced because of the voice of the Bridegroom” (John 3:26-30). Let us not forget, while waiting for this day, that we were “betrothed to one husband” to be presented to Christ “as a pure virgin” (2 Cor 11:1-4). Let’s keep Him all the freshness of our affections.
For the Spirit now contrasts with the fall of Babylon, the wedding of the bride, the wife of the Lamb. Babylon had represented the false church, as long as there had been talk of the Church; she then becomes the final corruptor, and then also the last testimony of God is aroused. No doubt there has been, in past times, a similar form of corruption, in relation to Israel, that is, naturally literal Babylon existed first; but here it is symbolic. For quand Rome is highlighted, a mysterious iniquity inherits the well-known name of Babylon, and it does not exercise its action only during the times of Christianity, but also at the end of the century, after the Church is no longer recognized on earth, and when the period of judgments comes. Let us remember that leaving aside this part of the existence of mystical Babylon prevents us from having a complete and exact understanding of the Apocalypse.
Then, for the last time, the twenty-four old men and the four living beings are placed before us; that is, the saints from above are still seen as the leaders of the glorified priesthood, and also as the executive power in the administration of God’s judgment. But a voice comes out of the throne, saying, “Praise our God, you all his servants and you who fear him, big and small. And I heard as a voice of a large crowd, and as a voice of great waters, and like a sound of loud thunders, saying: Hallelujah! for the Lord, our Almighty God has entered into his reign. Let us rejoice and be in joy, and give him glory; for the wedding of the Lamb has come; and his bride has prepared herself.” Now we are presented with the symbol of the bride; it is she who is in sight, and the old men as well as the living beings disappear.
Then comes the gathering and the fight. “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies assembled to wage war against the one who sat on the horse and his army. And the beast was taken” (taken alive), “and the false prophet who was with her, who had done before her the miracles by which he had seduced those who had taken the mark of the beast and adored her image.” Thus the second beast of Chapter 13 is no longer seen as earthly power, but as a false prophet. All the energy she expended to lead men astray and which she exercised in the presence of the first beast belonged to her for a long time; now it is no longer a question, but as a false prophet, the spiritual power is entirely in his hands. We understand that by this word of “spiritual power”, we must mean nothing but bad.
“They were both thrown alive into the pond of fire and brimstone.” Thus eternal judgment struck them all of a sudden. Caught up in blatant betrayal and rebellion, what need was there for any other form of judgment? “And the others were killed by the sword that came out of the mouth of him who sat on the horse; and all the birds were satisfied with their flesh.” Terrible fate than theirs, but nevertheless not similar to that of their leaders.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Hallelujah; victory over the beast and the false prophet:
- Heavenly Praise
Ps 148:2 Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, you all his armies! Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly he joined the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest places, And peace on earth among the men whom he approves! Rev 5:11-12 Rev 7:11-12 I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and living beings and the elderly, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. 12 They said in a loud voice: The lamb who has been slain is worthy of receiving power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise. Rev 11:17 saying, “We thank you, Lord God Almighty, who are, and who were, for you have seized your great power and taken possession of your kingdom. Rev 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all your servants, you who fear Him, big and small!
- God’s Revenge
Dt 32:35 Revenge and retribution to me, When their foot falters! For the day of their misfortune is near, and what awaits them will not be long in coming. Ps 94:1 God of vengeance, Jehovah! God of vengeance, seems! Ez 25:17 I will take great revenge upon them, chastising them with fury. And they will know that I am the Lord, when I will exercise my vengeance on them. Mi 5:14 I will exercise my vengeance with anger, with fury, on the nations that have not listened. Rom 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but let anger work; for it is written: To me vengeance, to me retribution, says the Lord. 2 Thess 1:8 in the midst of a flame of fire, to punish those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Hb 10:30 For we know the one who said: Vengeance to me, retribution to me! and again: The Lord will judge his people.
- Marriage, the image of God’s union with the Church
Isa 54:4 Fear not, for thou shalt not be confused; Do not blush, for thou shalt not be dishonored; But thou shalt forget the shame of one’s youth, and thou shalt no longer remember the opprobrium of one’s widowhood. Isaiah 62:5 As a young man unites with a virgin, so your sons will unite with you; And as the bride makes the joy of her fiancé, so thou shalt make the joy of thy God. Jer 3:14 Come back, rebellious children, says the Lord; For I am your master. I will take you, one from a city, two from a family, and I will bring you back to Zion. Hos 2:21 I will be your betrothed forever; I will be your betrothed by righteousness, righteousness, grace, and mercy; Mt 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like a king who made weddings for his son. Mt 25:10 While they were about to buy some, the bridegroom arrived; those who were ready entered with him into the wedding hall, and the door was closed. Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and be in joy, and give him glory; for the wedding of the lamb has come, and his bride has prepared,
- Sword of the Spirit
Isaiah 11:4 But he will judge the poor fairly, and he will pronounce with righteousness on the unfortunate of the earth; He will strike the earth with his word like a rod, and with the breath of his lips he will make the wicked die. Eph 6:17 also take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 2 Thess 2:8 And then the ungodly will appear, which the Lord Jesus will destroy by the breath of his mouth, and which he will annihilate by the brilliance of his coming. Hb 4:12 For the word of God is alive and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the point of sharing soul and spirit, knuckles and marrows; it judges the feelings and thoughts of the heart. Rev 1:16 He had seven stars in his right hand. From his mouth came out a sharp, two-edged sword; and his face was like the sun when it shines in its strength. Rev 2:12, 16 Write to the angel of the Church of Pergamon: This is what he who has the sharp, two-edged sword says; 16 Repent, therefore; otherwise, I will come to you soon, and I will fight them with the sword of my mouth.
From all the above, we note that Jesus is the Beloved of the Church, and for the world he becomes the great Vigilante. Under the name once taken to manifest grace and truth, that of “the Word of God,” He comes forward to accomplish “terrible things” (Ps 45:4-6). When and how do you want to meet Jesus? Now as a Savior, or soon as a Judge? In contrast to the “wedding banquet of the Lamb,” this is what is ironically called the “great supper of God” (Ps 2:1-6). The final confrontation between the armies of the Son of God and those of the Roman leader will end in a general annihilation of the latter. Without further judgment, the beast and the false prophet will be thrown alive into hell. Then God takes care of their master Satan. Nous have previously shown it rushed from the sky. Here a symbolic chain and key put the great murderer out of harm’s way. Finally, he is shown, after the 1,000 years, joining his two accomplices in the lake of fire. It is therefore understandable that there is no book in the Bible that the devil fears more than that of the Apocalypse. To prevent its reading, he even persuades believers of his obscurity. Let us seek to meet the Lord Jesus more now as Savior than later as Judge. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “Satan is chained; the reign of 1000 years. »
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.