The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
INTRODUCTION
Heaven’s Hallelujahs (19:1-10)
Reasons for Rejoicing
The Glorious Character of God (v. 1-2a)
The Righteous Condemnation of Babylon (v. 2)
The Eternal Destruction of Babylon (v. 3)
The Rightful Worship of God (v. 4-5)
HALLELUJAH (הַלְלוּ־יָהּ, hallu-yah; ἀλληλουιά, allēlouia). A liturgical phrase that means “Praise Yahweh.” Regularly used in the Psalms (e.g., Psa 104:35; 105:45; 106:1; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1)
“Hallelujah” does not appear anywhere in the NT except in Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, 6.
The Wedding Supper of the Lamb (19:6-10)
The imagery of marriage is used frequently in Scripture. A marriage was the single greatest celebration and social event of the biblical world. Wedding preparations and celebrations in ancient times were even more elaborate and involved than those of today and also lasted longer. They consisted of three distinct stages. First was the betrothal, or engagement. This was an arrangement by both sets of parents contracting the marriage of their children. It was legally binding and could only be broken by a divorce (cf. Matt. 1:18–19). A betrothal contract was often signed long before the children reached the marriageable age of thirteen or fourteen. Since a marriage represented the union of two families, it was natural for the parents to be involved. And there were years of preparation for the time of marriage, as the boy prepared for his bride. The second stage of a wedding was the presentation, a time of festivities just before the actual ceremony. Those festivities could last up to a week or more, depending on the economic and social status of the bride and groom. The third and most significant stage of a wedding was the actual ceremony, during which the vows were exchanged. At the end of the presentation festivities, the groom and his attendants would go to the bride’s house and take her and her bridesmaids to the ceremony. After the ceremony would come a final meal, followed by the consummation of the marriage.
Scripture uses the familiar imagery of a wedding to picture the Lord’s relationship with His church. Second Corinthians 11:2 mentions the betrothal of the church to Christ. Paul wrote, “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.” The church’s betrothal contract was signed in eternity past when the Father promised the Son a redeemed people and wrote their names in the Book of Life. The apostle Paul described the church’s presentation in Ephesians 5:25–27: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” That presentation will take place at the Rapture. Speaking of both the present time of preparation, as He makes a home for His bride, and the moment of presentation, when He comes for her, Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2–3). In the imagery of an ancient wedding, the Rapture marks the time when the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mark 2:19–20; Matt. 9:15; Luke 5:34–35; John 3:28–29), takes His bride to His Father’s house. During the Tribulation, the raptured church will be presented in heaven. But at the end of those seven years of joyous fellowship and wonderful celebration, the time will come for the wedding ceremony, the marriage of the Lamb. That final union of the Bridegroom and the bride is marked by a great supper.
Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.*”
(Conclusion - if out of time)
Jesus Returns as the Warrior Judge (19:11-16)
The Vengeance of Jesus Christ
διάδημα -ατος, τό; (diadēma), N. royal headband; crown.
prize ⇔ crown† — a prize, understood as a laurel or crown signifying victory.
The question arises as to why His garments are blood spattered before the battle has begun. But this is not His first battle; it is His last battle. He has fought for His people throughout redemptive history, and His war clothes bear the stains of many previous slaughters. At that day, they will be stained as never before when He “treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty” (v. 15).
That the sword comes out of His mouth symbolizes the deadly power of Christ’s words. Once He spoke words of comfort, but now He speaks words of death.
This is the third name given to the Lord Jesus Christ in this passage. The incomprehensible name of verse 12 may express the mystery of His essential deity. Verse 13 calls Him the Word of God, expressing His incarnation as the Son of God. The name “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” expresses His sovereign triumph over all foes and His absolute rule in His soon to be established kingdom.
The Defeat of the Beast and False Prophet (19:17-21)
The Angel (v. 17)
His Message (v. 17-18)
Their Pride (v. 19)
Their Downfall (v. 20)
Their Destination (v. 20)
SULFUR An mineral substance found in quantities on the shores of the Dead Sea. Used to express the idea of excruciating torment, punishment and destruction (Gen 19:24–25; Isa 30:33; Ezek 38:22; Rev 14:10; 20:10).