Revelation Unlocked #247.

For 1185 chapters of the Bible, through 39 Old Testament books and 27 in the New Testament, we have seen the drama of the ages played out. The war that began in heaven and was transferred to our planet, so that we became a planet in rebellion. For 19 chapters of the book of Revelation we have seen the chronical of lucifer’s attack on God’s creation, his character and his truth, not to forget his attack on the people of God and His church. The trumpets and the plagues had run the days of creation in reverse. Now things are about to run in a reversal of the reversal. The main bad characters in this drama are about to meet their end.

The parallels between the first three chapters of Genesis and the last three chapters of Revelation indicate to us the golden circle of scripture. In Genesis 1 we see creation, the first marriage, the entry of satan, and the fall. The third to last chapter of Revelation farewells satan, we see the marriage of the church and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. The whole thing has come full circle.

The opening verses in chapter 19 are another chorus of praise from the lips of the redeemed, with special emphasis on the justice of God. Coming after the judgment of Babylon in chapter 18, the righteous break into praise for the justice of God, something that has been called for repeatedly throughout the book. Revelation 19 is a comparison with chapter 4, where the living creatures and the 24 elders and the entire creation worship God and the lamb seated on the throne (5:12-14) In chapter 19, they are joined by the great multitude of the redeemed.

The symbolism is of an oriental marriage where the dowry is paid beforehand. We call this Justification. This was the dowry of calvary and now the church is getting ready for the feast – the betrothal. We call this sanctification. The bridegroom comes from His Fathers house and gathers His bride home to the feast. We call this glorification. She (the church) is adorned in the fine line (v8) that is given to her. This is the righteous robe of Christ’s righteousness which alone is our entry into heaven. It has not one stich of human devising. The parallel with Jesus parable in Matthew 22 is obvious.

There are two suppers in Revelation but for now, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:9 This is the fourth beatitude of Revelation. There are seven beatitudes in the book. The 5^th one says “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection; the second death has no power over them but they will be priests of God and of Christ and reign with Him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6 [the first death is one’s physical death; the second death is the failure to gain eternal life.] Born once die twice, born twice die once – if at all because there will be a group who will be living when Jesus comes and they will not see even their first death, but will be changed in the twinkling of an eye has Paul says in 1^st Corinthians.