A Glimpse Of Glory 15

The Return Of The King

Text: Revelation 19-20

Introduction

One has the picture in this 18th chapter of a grieving John walking among the now silent wasteland of human arrogance. Everything has collapsed in the crashing sounds of chapter 18. The lamps are out, voices are silent, the flutes and minstrels are no longer playing. The scene is stark and hopeless. The city was powerful, rich, and cruel, and now it has all come to this. “This is how the world ends, this is how the world ends, this is how the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper” (T. S. Eliot, The Hollow Men). But from the distance, there gradually swells a new source of sound so that John’s eyes and ears are caught up again by a surprising new song. Earl F. Palmer and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation, vol. 35, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1982), 219.

Chapter 18 reaches a crescendo level in chapter 19!

As the battlements between heaven and earth swell, and the destruction of the earth’s most power leaders take place, there is a spilling over of rejoicing on to the island of Patmos.

We will get a brief sighting of the Lamb’s bride (the church), the Lamb becoming an avenging warrior, and once again an unveiling of the final conflict; Armageddon.

The Big question that is often asked is this: “How will it all end?”

Here in Revelation 19–20, John has recorded five key events that will take place before God “wraps up” human history and ushers in His new heavens and earth. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 616.

1) A Rejoicing Worship Breaks Out Of Heaven

What was the last command of chapter 18? “Rejoice over her”

The word “alleluia” is the Greek form of the Hebrew word hallelujah meaning “praise the Lord.”

The basic challenge of all counterfeit religion is to find some aspect of human endeavor that can be counted worthy of salvation. Salvation in biblical terms belongs only to God and is made available through his sovereign grace. However, beyond salvation, glory, and power, v. 2 adds that all God does as a manifestation of salvation, glory, and power falls into the category of what is true and just. His judgments are accurate and inevitably just. Patterson, Paige. 2012. Revelation. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen. Vol. 39. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B&H.

John highlights three reasons why they sung heaven’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

A. God’s final judgement on His enemies (v1-4)

The great “harlot” of chapter 17 was destroyed by the beast and his allied rulers.

One obvious thing that we learn about both the apostate religious system and the satanic economic-political system is that they led the world astray and polluted the human race.

Don’t think for a second that God can be paid off when it comes to His judgements.

While a judge or jury void of moral judgment conceivably could knowingly convict someone of a crime that they knew he did not commit, the vast majority of these cases of injustice represent errors in human judgment. Since God is omniscient, he is incapable of making an error. Though he remains the only judge in the cosmos whose judgment is inevitably true, he is also impeccably just. Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 341.

Human judges can sometimes be bought, and their own motives and commitments can thwart justice. Such is not the case with God, whose judgments are characterized by justice. Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 341.

B. God’s powerful kingship is experienced on earth (v5-6)

Psalm 97:1 “1 The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.”

LISTEN…God had never not been on His throne.

In His sovereignty, He has permitted evil men and angels to do their worst.

However, NOW has come the time when His kingdom will fully come down on earth.

C. The marriage of the Lamb celebration (v7-10)

There will come a time when Jesus the Groom will sit down with His bride the church and enjoy what is called the “marriage supper of the Lamb.”

FOCUS — It is western custom that the “bride” be given the full attention. Not so in this case. It will be the Bridegroom who receives the honor.

Who is this Bride? It is God’s church!

Right now, the church is engage to Jesus Christ. We love Him even though we have yet to see Him.

1 Peter 1:8 “8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

He is returning one day to receive us into Heaven!

John 14:1–6 “1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

a) There are a couple of observations to consider:

i. There is the presentation of the bride to the Lamb

2 Corinthians 11:2 “2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

Ephesians 5:22–30 “22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”

We are a bride who have been purchased by His own life’s blood!

This presentation awaits that moment when the last are to be added at the close of the church age.

ii. There is the bride making herself ready

Notice how beautiful His bride is!

LISTEN…this beauty is a “bestowed” beauty!

(v8) “And to her was granted…”

We as Jesus’ bride cannot acquire it no more than we can acquire our own salvation.

It will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ when all her works will be judged, and all spots and blemishes removed.

READY FOR WHAT? To rule and reign with Him on earth.

Some believe that this marriage supper will last the entire 1,000 year reign…CAN YOU IMAGE THAT?!

iii. John collapsed being overwhelmed!

2) King Jesus Rides Out Of Heaven

A. The most mighty King reigns supreme

a) Heaven standing open

Giving the sense of the unchanging nature of what now happens!

This is Jesus and His people riding to earth to conquer His enemies and establish His kingdom!

b) The Rider’s designation

Faithful — characterized by stedfast affection

Revelation 3:7 “7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”

Revelation 3:14 “14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”

The beast led with deception BUT Jesus led with affection!

True — Never for a second think God is unfaithful and has deserted you!

He who is the faithful and true witness, has not come as the faith and true Judge! WAR IN UNAVOIDABLE!

c) His eyes were as flame of fire

What does having eyes enable you to do?

What Biblical purpose is fire often mentioned?

So, His knowledge of humanity is penetrating in the most revealing sense.

d) Jesus comes as the victor, warrior, and judge; “many crowns”

All authority is His!

e) “a name written, that no man knew, but he himself”

This tells us of the transcendent quality of Jesus.

What you and I know about Him is just the beginning!

GET THIS…the very One who is the “unknowable One” makes Himself known to us both as Savior and Judge.

Takes me back to when God told Moses that He was the “I AM.”

f) “clothed with a vesture dipped in blood”

g) “his name is call The Word of God”

B. The most mighty King defeats Satan’s Henchmen

C. The most mighty King will defeat Satan

3) The Reigning Saints

4) The Revolt Of Satan

5) The Recompensing Of Sinners