Worthy is the Lamb: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

As we begin chapter 19 John’s vision shifts again. These verses introduce that great event anticipated for two millennia, and about which the Old Testament prophets repeatedly wrote. It is the golden age on earth when all creation shall be subject to its Creator and Redeemer. But before He reigns He must subdue every enemy and opposing force. The conflict of Armageddon is about to occur. Up to this point Christ has been directing earth’s judgments from His throne in Heaven, but now He leaves heaven and descends to earth for the purpose of completing the work of judgment before He establishes His millennial Kingdom.

Heaven rejoices because the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. In this passage we have four hallelujahs — four full-throated expressions of praise for what God has done.

I. HALLELUJAH! — FULL SALVATION HAS COME

“After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,” (Revelation 19:1, NIV84)

1. as it does throughout Revelation, the phrase after this marks the beginning of a new vision

a. this new vision takes place after the destruction of Babylon (Rev. 17:1-18:24) and before the triumphant return of Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:11–21) to establish the Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:1–10)

b. as the loud laments over Babylon’s destruction fade into silence on earth, loud hallelujahs ring out in heaven

2. in his vision John heard something like the cacophonous clamor of a great multitude in heaven

a. the text does not identify the voices that make up the boisterous throng, but I think it’s all of heaven — the Four Living Creatures, the Twenty-four elders, the Seraphim, and Cherubim, the angels to numerous to count, and the redeemed of God from every nation, and tribe, and nation, and language

ILLUS. If you’ve ever been to a Cardinal baseball game at Bush Stadium, you know that at some point in the game, a section of the crowd is going to begin the wave. That’s when successive groups of spectators briefly stand, yell, and raise their arms. Immediately upon stretching to full height, the spectator returns to the usual seated position. This action takes place in a synchronized circuit all the way around the sport field. As the wave gets closer to where you’re seated the roar of the crowd becomes greater, and greater as it nears your section. Sometime the wave make several circuits around the stadium before it finally fizzles out.

3. John hears great excitement in heaven as wave after wave of hallelujah roll through the heavens

a. Hallelujah, an exclamation of praise to God the is frequently used in the Old Testament, but has its only use in the New Testament here in Revelation chapter 19

b. the word has three syllables to it

1) halle which means to praise

2) lu which means you or you all

3) Jah which is the shortened form of Jehovah

c. we would translate it as y’all just praise the Lord

1) but that’s a mouth-full to get repeatedly get out so let’s just stick to Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

4. what are they praising God for?

A. HEAVEN REJOICES BECAUSE SALVATION HAS COME FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

1. knowledgeable Christians have always understood that there are three parts to their salvation

a. Justification — which is that moment-in-time event where the Holy Spirit regenerates the lost man’s soul, and by faith we commit our whole life to Christ, and God declares us righteous because to the shed blood of His son, Jesus

b. Sanctification — which is the on-going process of Christian maturity in this life whereby we are conformed to the image of Christ with increasing glory through our obedience, worship, and good works

c. Glorification — the final stage of the believer’s salvation where our souls and resurrected bodies are reunited at the 2nd Advent of Christ, and we will live eternally with him

1) Revelation 19 is all about the 2nd Advent, and the resurrection of believers that takes place when he comes

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17, NIV)

2. justification saves us from sin’s penalty, sanctification saves us from sin’s power, and glorification will save us from sin’s presence

3. The Imminent Coming of Jesus Christ Prompts this Praise as the Residents of Heaven Anticipate the Glory of His Kingdom

II. HALLELUJAH! — REBELLION IS ENDED AND JUSTICE METED OUT

“for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:2, NIV84)

1. Heaven also rejoices because God’s judgments are true and righteous, and with the coming of Christ evil and wickedness are defeated, and true righteousness will reign supreme

a. this will bring joy to the residents of heaven

2. throughout history God’s people have been disturbed by the inequity, injustice, and unrighteousness in the world, and have longed for God’s justice to come

a. anticipating the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah wrote:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6–7, NIV84)

b. earlier in Revelation martyred believers “cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ ” (Rev. 6:10)

c. like Isaiah, they eagerly anticipate the day when God’s justice will triumph

1) God’s people hate sin because it mocks God

2) God’s people love righteousness because it exalts Him

3. God’s people long — at least we should long — for a world characterized by holiness and justice

a. but that will only happen when Christ establishes His righteous kingdom and rules with a rod of iron

b. that event is about to take place and it’s one of the reasons the host of heaven shout Hallelujah

4. the stage was set for our Lord’s return in the previous chapter when God judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality

a. Satan and his Antichrist, along with all who willingly wore his mark, and who seduced the unbelieving world to accept the lies of Satan are dealt with through the wrath of God’s judgment

“ ... He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 3 ... The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” (Revelation 19:2–3, NIV84)

b. the destruction of the last and most powerful empire in human history marks the end of man’s day

1) the rebellion that began long ago in the Garden of Eden is finally ended

c. because they rule the whole world, Satan, his Antichrist and False Prophet, and their followers are guilty of corrupting the earth with their immorality, that led to the mistreatment and martyrdom of God’s saints

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6–8, NIV84)

5. It Is Both Fitting and Just That Those Who Caused the Moral Ruin of the World and Persecuted God’s People Should Face His Vengeance

III. HALLELUJAH! — GOD IS IN CONTROL

“The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” 6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” (Revelation 19:4–6, NIV84)

1. OUR GOD REIGNS! — hallelujah

a. the heavenly wave continues with one more round!

2. the reign of God is something believers have been praying for for two millennium — Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

3. God’s kingdom has come in its fullness and the saints in heaven proclaim y’all just praise the Lord

IV. HALLELUJAH! — THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB IS COMPLETED

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” ” (Revelation 19:7–9, NIV84)

1. the heavenly praise continues with a call for gladness, rejoicing, and giving God glory for yet a forth reason — the marriage of the Lamb

2. the imagery of marriage is used frequently in Scripture

a. a marriage was the single greatest celebration and social event of the biblical world

b. wedding preparations and celebrations in ancient times were even more elaborate and involved than those of today and also lasted longer

3. in Revelation, chapter 19 is a picture of that moment where Christ receives his bride without spot or wrinkle, glorious and prepared for the groom

a. please remember that the wedding imagery is just that; imagery that is not reality, but pictures God’s intimate union with His people

b. the point is that there will be no “second-class citizens” in God’s kingdom, just as all the participants in a wedding enjoy the celebration

V. APPLICATION

1. the application of this passage is actually found in a parable that Jesus tells which is recorded in Matthew’s gospel

a. it’s called the Parable of the Foolish Virgins

b. it’s a hard parable

1) Many of the parables of Jesus emphasize gracious invitations, offers of mercy, and acts of forgiveness.

2) but we hear something different in this story — we hear that a time is coming when the door to the kingdom will be shut, and those who plead to be let in will hear the fateful answer, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.”

3) those words are so final.

A. MEN NEED TO BE PREPARED EVEN THOUGH THE BRIDEGROOM DELAYS

1. in this parable Jesus tells us, “Don’t let my return sneak up on you. Be ready all the time.”

a. Jesus repeats this theme throughout the Olivet Discourse

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ... 42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ... 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:36, 42, 46 NIV84)

2. the parable of the 10 virgins is given to underscore the importance of being ready for Christ’s return — even if he delays longer than expected

a. when he does return, there will be no second chances for the unprepared

3. Jesus uses the imagery of a Jewish wedding to illustrate his point

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.” (Matthew 25:1-4, NIV84)

4. the setting for this parable was a typical Jewish wedding ceremony

a. a Jewish marriage consisted of three parts

1) the first stage was the arrangement

a) most often arranged by the fathers of the bride and groom, the arrangement amounted to a contract of marriage in which the couple had little, if any, direct involvement

ILLUS. Think pre-nuptial agreement. But instead of being decided by the couple getting married, its decided by the parents of the couple, who may or may not have ever met each other.

2) the second stage was the betrothal, the marriage ceremony at which the bride and groom exchanged vows in the presence of family and friends

a) at that point the couple was considered married, and their relationship could be broken only by formal divorce

b) if the husband happened to die during the betrothal, the bride was considered a widow

c) the betrothal could last for many months, sometimes a year, during which time the groom would establish himself in a business, trade, or farming and would build a home for the couple to live in

3) the third stage is when the groom actually comes to claim his bride

a) at the end of the betrothal period the actual wedding day arrives

b) some time after dark the groom would come to the place where the bride and her attendants were waiting and escort her back to the new home he had prepared for her

c) then there would be a great wedding feast

5. this, Jesus says, is what the coming of the Kingdom will be like — a wedding day where everyone is looking for the groom to arrive

“The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.” (Matthew 25:5, NIV84)

ILLUS. I suppose that just about everyone here has been to a wedding at some time. As the time for the service approaches, the music begins to play and candles are lit. The groom just kind of slips to the front of the church with the pastor and best man, not drawing much attention. The bride is the one who makes the grand entrance, while the groom just waits to receive his bride. But in the Eastern culture of Jesus’ day, all the attention was on the bridegroom and his coming for the bride.

6. the Mideastern wedding customs of that day are a beautiful picture of the Christ’s relationship to His Church

a. Jesus Christ has made the payment with His own life for His bride, the church just as a prospective groom paid his future father-in-law a price for his daughter

b. at His ascension Jesus went back into Heaven to prepare a place for us just as a groom prepared a new home for his bride

c. and just as the groom came to receive his bride, so Jesus is coming again to receive His Church and take us to our new home in heaven

7. in this parable, the story revolves around ten of the bride’s and attendants who are waiting for the grand event—the arrival of the groom

8. the Bible tells us that five of them are wise and five are foolish

a. the wise ones are prepared — they have brought an extra jar of oil to keep their lamps burning

1) they represent true disciples of Christ who have the light of truth and the regenerating presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives

b. the foolish ones are unprepared — they’ve brought their lamps, but they’ve neglected to prepare for the unexpected — that the groom might tarry for some reason

1) they have not brought any oil

2) they represent those who profess to hold hope in Christ, but who — though they have the light of truth — have never been converted

9. outwardly, there seems no real difference between the two groups

a. they all long for the coming of the bridegroom

b. they all demonstrate an outward readiness for the wedding feast

c. in appearance they are all indistinguishable

1) but looks can be deceiving

2) despite what you’ve heard, good people do go to hell

B. BE PREPARED BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CANNOT BORROW

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’” (Matthew 25:6-9, NIV84)

1. for some unexplained reason, the groom has not arrived when everyone thought he would

a. as they wait, the hour grows late and the attendants become drowsy

b. suddenly a shout is heard — the groom’s attendants loudly proclaim that the bridegroom has arrived

2. you can picture the scurrying that suddenly takes place

a. the attendants are rubbing the sleep from their eyes

b. they get to their feet and smooth the winkles from their garments

c. and they light their lamps in preparation for the procession to the bridegroom’s residence

3. this is where the problem develops

a. five have come prepared — they’ve brought oil and replenish their lamps

b. five have come unprepared — they’ve brought no oil and cannot refill their lamps

4. they seek to borrow from their wise friends ... “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ “

a. the prudent attendants respond saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

b. their procrastination caused embarrassment when the groom came and they had to run to the store for more oil

1) the problem was that when they returned and sought entrance to the feast, they were considered no different than other uninvited seekers

2) the feast had begun and the doors were locked — it was too late

5. when Jesus Christ appears again it will be too late to prepare for his coming

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’” (Matthew 25:10-12, NIV84)

6. this parable is a picture of the world at the end of the age

a. these five bridesmaids are not evil, but they are careless

b. from all outward appearances, they are just like the wise companions

c. they are simply not ready when the Bridegroom suddenly appears

1) they were present, but they were not prepared

2) on the surface, the refusal of the attendants who had oil to share with those who had none, seems selfish

3) but in the spiritual realm faith is not transferable

7. here is the great tragedy within Christendom — there are multitudes who believe that they are truly Christian while in reality they truly are not

a. there are 1.6 billion professing Christians in the world today

1) many of them are trusting in church membership for their salvation — not Jesus

2) many of them are trusting in the rite of baptism for their salvation — not Jesus

3) many of them are trusting in confirmation and religious ritual for their salvation — not Jesus

4) many of them are trusting in their own good works or personal righteousness for their salvation — not Jesus

5) many of them are trusting in the spiritual heritage of their family for salvation — not Jesus

b. what they have in these false notions is a lamp without oil

8. they are like the counterfeit believers the Apostle Paul warns of in 2 Tim. 3:5 “Having

a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof ... “

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins reminds us that the Marriage of the Lamb is approaching, but some day the door of opportunity for committing you life to Jesus Christ will be closed. It will simply be too late. As with all of Jesus’ parables, the message of this one is simple. It is meant to illustrate truths He has just been teaching: that He is coming again, that He will then judge sinners and reward the righteous, that people must be ready, and that His coming will be unexpected.

Invitation: Do you know Jesus? I mean, do you really know Him and not just know about Him? Have you committed you life to Him and seek to follow Him daily as a disciple?

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