Sermon Tone Analysis

Text: Revelation 19:1-10

Theme: Hallelujah, the marriage of the Lamb is about to take place.

Date: 11/11/2018 File name: Resurrection37.wpd

ID Number:

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!