ECHO Student Ministries

Revelation 19:6-21

The seventh bowl (vial) judgment has just finished (Revelation 16:17-21) detailing the demise (Revelation 17) and final destruction (Revelation 18) of the evil city of Babylon. For seven years the city of Babylon has been the capital city of the Antichrist and from it all kinds of evil and deception have corrupted the inhabitants of the earth. Heaven has reacted favorably that Babylon has been finally judged for her sins and spiritual apostasy (19:1-5).

Now John hears the voice of many people saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 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" (19:6-7). Many have referred to this proclamation as the marriage supper of the Lamb when the church is once and for all united with Christ, never to be separated from Him again. Of course this marriage also includes the redeemed from all ages. This marriage supper follows the seven year tribulation period and is prior to the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. The celebration of believers being united with Jesus Christ will continue throughout the millennial reign.

Next John sees heaven opened and Jesus Christ riding down on a white horse. John describes Him as "Faithful and True [kept His word to return], and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire [He sees all], and on His head were many crowns..." (19:11-12). Jesus Christ will finally return to earth (His second coming) as He had promised in Matthew 24:27-31 and John writes that He will "rule them with a rod of iron [righteous judgment]. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of the Almighty God" (19:15). Distinct from all other rulers the world has ever seen, Jesus' reign will be guided by holiness and justice. As Jesus returns, "the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses" (19:14) which indicates that a battle is getting ready to take place. This is known as the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus is leading believers from all ages to battle against the remaining forces of evil on the earth. An angel calls for the birds to gather so they can feed on the flesh which is about to be killed (19:17-18). The Antichrist will also gather his armies together to fight against Jesus and His people (19:19); however, this does not seem like much of a battle. The Antichrist is immediately captured as well as the false prophet and those who worshipped the image (19:20). The false prophet and those who worshipped the image of the Antichrist are thrown into the lake of fire being the first of millions who will spend eternity there for their rejection of Jesus Christ (19:20b). Revelation 19 ends with John writing, "And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh" (19:21). The only people left surviving will be those who have believed in Jesus Christ. This day will be a victorious day for Jesus because evil has been wiped from the earth at this moment; however, this day will be the last of all those who have hated God and rejected His Son, Jesus, as the only way for salvation.

Dear God, I rejoice in knowing that You will have the victory over sin. I look forward to Your soon return and Your righteous rule over all the earth!