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He Is Coming! Revelation 19: 1-21
During World War Two, one enterprising sailor took advantage of his access to a short wave radio set. It was fall, and the World Series had just begun. He heard the score of the first game the very evening it was played. By the time the game was broadcast on the Armed Forces Network the following afternoon he had managed to place a few bets on the outcome! Of course he was judicious to purposely loose once or twice, but just knowing who was winning enabled him to profit greatly! On one occasion an unbeliever argued that my belief in Christianity was a foolish bet. After all, he argued, we had but one life to live. I countered that if he considered eternal salvation to be a betable situation he ought at least to grant me the privilege to make my best bet. It was his bet that the facts of Christianity was untrue. For his stand he would face judgment if I had it right. The poor man did not know as we know of the absolute fact of Christ's eternal victory which is promised in Scripture. This is the purpose of the Book of Revelation. It is for the comfort of discouraged and suffering believers everywhere. It is to strengthen those who fear that the forces of evil will eventually prevail. It is to strengthen those who are called to live the Christian life in the midst of worldly challenges. Like our sailor we can make a safe bet on the absolute victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. In chapter nineteen we find two suppers. The first is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in verses one through ten where there is great rejoicing and celebration. One interesting note on this particular chapter is the fact that the word Hallelujah only occurs here in the entire New Testament. The Hebrew meaning of the word is usually translated "Praise God". Usually it is translated, however, here it is sung without translation! It is the celebration of victory. If there is a victory, there must also be a defeat. And to that supper we will turn at the end of this chapter. The victory in question which is sung by an angelic chorus celebrates the defeat of Babylon the wicked. Singing of this defeat and celebrating the victory of our God and King is noted as bad form in our time. Just this last week our Principal said some very kind words about the spiritual witness of our carpentry teacher. He was subjected to a vile attack from another staff member who was incensed by any implication that some people were better to associate with than others. Especially if the implication honored a Christian! And yet, the victory is real and we will celebrate the triumph of His salvation, His glory and His power. Again, John records in verse three the heavenly chorus praised God while the smoke from Babylon goes up for ever and ever. In the following verses, those who are closest to God join in the celebration. There are the twenty-four elders and the four creatures joining in with the heavenly chorus. Amen is their assent to the occasion and Hallelujah! is also their word of praise. Another voice came out of the throne to encourage all of God's people to join in the chorus of praise. "Let those refuse to sing, who never knew our God" runs a phrase in an old hymn. This is the implication here, all of God's chosen will celebrate at the great supper of the Lamb when Christ appears again. The purpose of the great supper is noted in verses six through ten. It is the marriage supper of the Lamb and His bride the Church. The focus turns from the defeat of Babylon to the triumph of our Lord God Almighty. This fact brings out a greater applause of rushing waters and pealing thunder than the earlier hymns praising God's judgments. After all, this is the final chapter in the saga of God's bringing His chosen people home to heaven. And that He has accomplished in spite of all the plottings and harassment of Babylon, Beast and Satan. The Bride of Christ is now ready and the wedding of the Lamb has come. This scene closes with a benediction of the angel. "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb". These are the ones who hold to the testimony of Jesus. These are the ones who are invited to Worship God. Before we turn our attention to those who are not invited, perhaps you should quietly meditate upon the fact of your being invited? Has the Holy Spirit been delivering such an invitation in your life? This is how it comes, not by fancy printing and formal announcement, but quietly causing concern and causing you to wonder about your relationship to God the Father. I earnestly beg you to consider the fact that God invites his chosen elect into His eternal Kingdom. Will you listen and respond? If not, this chapter shows us another supper. A supper of the damned. Verses eleven through twenty-one is a supper of a different sort. Here we see the fate of those who are married to the Babylon of this world. We hear no singing in this scene. There is not even the ribald songs they used to sing in the night clubs of Babylon. In this second scene everything is sunken in deepest gloom. Instead of Christ the Lamb, the damned see our King on a white horse. The image of Isaiah's conquering hero treading the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God comes true at the end of the age. This is the image in the old song Battle Hymn of the Republic. "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on." The fact that Christ is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" is imposed upon the wicked who have allied with Babylon. It is just as we sing on every Lord's Day: "Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord indeed." These enemies of Christ are not smitten by weapons of the heavenly host. No, they are slain by the very Word of God which they had chosen to ignore. The wicked had placed their bets and backed the wrong kingdom. Yet, they will not surrender. They gather in their hosts and follow the beast, the false prophet and the kings of the earth to challenge our King and our Lord. The wicked make their hateful choices to their eternal doom. Not only are the beast and prophet thrown into the lake of fire, but all their followers are destroyed. There is a supper, but it is for the birds of prey. In the closing of this sixth parallel section of Revelation Christ and Church are united in joy in heaven. The last battle has been fought, the last enemies of Christ's throne have been destroyed. The symbolic beast and prophet are no more. Now, there is a complete end ot all devilry, anti Christian persecution and false christianity. As we close, we must observe that the scenes here are not the mere imaginings of opinionated men. These images interpreted in this chapter occur in both Testaments. The images and teachings behind and entwined in John's revelation were revealed over several thousand years. And upon the truth of these images you can certainly bet your life! But, it is a safe bet, we do have the knowledge of Christ's final victory. And those who believe in Him and accept His eternal gift of salvation will sing at the marriage supper of the Lamb. May you all be invited by the power of God's Holy Spirit. And by His grace may you accept that invitation and look forward to His coming in glory and in power. Amen.
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America) Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213 Rev 19a 13 May 90
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