Verses 1-2 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
Again, this chapter is a continuation of the vision seen by the Apostle John starting in chapter 17. So to read any of these chapters by themselves and not as a whole can and will lead to an incorrect understanding of the events represented in metaphor.
Alleluia means “praise ye the Lord” and can also be rendered Hallelujah. So the Apostle John is hearing people praising the LORD because of His judgement of, and because of the destruction of the false and blasphemous anti-Christ religious system established by the god of this world who is the deceiver and hater of all that the LORD is and has created, Satan. The blood that has been shed by this whorish system at the behest of Satan is avenged. Please note that this, although in the process of occurring, will not be complete until that last day of time when the LORD Jesus Christ returns to claim His people, His church, and to put all things right. Both the whore and the beast will be with mankind until all prophecy has been fullfilled and until time is no more.
Verses 3-4 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
The four and twenty elders are introduced in chapter 4 of this book. They are metaphor for all of God’s people down through the ages. Go back and read Revelation 4:4 in this Bible study site. The four beasts represent the full ministry and character of the LORD Jesus Christ. See Revelation 4:7 in this study. So the people in Heaven are now without the enemies they battled in their life on Earth: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. They, the people of God, are like Jesus and therefore they have His ministry and character and they are worshiping Jesus and praising Him, something that will continue for eternity. The smoke rising up for eternity may be referring to the fires of Hell. It may also be representative of all the martyrs that were burned alive at the stake by Satan’s corrupt religious system. The smoke from their burning bodies literally ascended up into the Heavens and into the abode of God Almighty. The word, “Amen”, means so be it or truly. It is an expression of absolute trust and confidence.
Verses 5-7 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
The Apostle John is describing the celebration and joy of the saints residing in Heaven at the end of all things related to the Earth. At this time of the vision, the LORD is reigning over all things.
Much has been said and written about the “marriage” and what has been termed, “the bride of Christ”. Often these two terms have been linked together and it has been taught in churches that the bride is the Church and that the marriage supper of the Lamb is a literal event that will occur after the “rapture” of the believers and that they are basically the same thing. But the bride is metaphor, and Chapter 21 later on in this book clearly teaches that the bride is referring to the new Jerusalem. “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2 This city is compared to a bride, it is in Heaven, and it is coming to the LORD Jesus Christ. “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” Revelation 21:9-10 Likewise, the marriage is metaphor for a union that is precious and holy in the sight of God.
So the picture here is that a celebration is happening for the purpose of honoring and praising God. Why? What has happened at this point? God is in charge and reigning and all the Christian believers are with Him. Remember that harlots or whores in Scripture represent that which God views as unclean such as sin, idolatry, and false religions, whereas a bride represents a virgin which represents a true believer in Jesus Christ who is obedient and faithful to the Gospel message and the commandments of the LORD. In today’s corrupt societies these verses may not be understood as people engage in sexual behavior before marriage. It has become the norm. But until fairly recently in history, people remained virgins until marriage. This was the expected and normal situation when the Apostle John was writing this book under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost/Spirit. So this marriage is metaphor for the union with Jesus in Heaven of the Church which has been faithful, and of all the faithful Old Testament saints who died under the old covenant. Up to this point, only those believers who have died are actually face to face with Jesus. All the believers living on the Earth have His Spirit and are in His presence through that Spirit, but there is still the separation because of the flesh. “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” 1 Corinthians 15:50 And while in the flesh, a believer can “backslide” and go back to the world and all its enticements and not inherit eternal life in Heaven.
Verse 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
So the new Jerusalem (His wife) is to be surrounded (arrayed) in white linen which the verse above defines as the righteousness of saints. So the bride/wife is not the Church or believers, but is this new Jerusalem which is to be inhabited by the saints. What does the new Jerusalem represent? Possibly all of Heaven or perhaps just a specific place in Heaven. Not really sure. The old physical Jerusalem was the seat of power and worship and it was at the center of the Hebrew culture. It housed the Temple built by King Solomon and it contained the glory of God at one time. It was the center of learning and was loved by the LORD until it became corrupt. So this writer believes this place in Heaven will be the center of the power of God where the LORD Jesus Christ will be located and it will be the center of worship and learning for all eternity.
Application: This writer has no idea what Heaven or this city in Heaven is really like, but this writer goes back to what Jesus said when ministering on Earth as recorded in John 14:2-3. “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. 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.” Just as in Biblical days a man would first prepare a home before taking a bride to be his wife, this prophetic vision the Apostle John has recorded is a picture of the place Jesus said He would prepare: a home in Heaven for His Church. So perhaps the new Jerusalem is that place He has prepared.
Verses 9-10 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14 So the true believers, both Old Testament saints and New Testament saints, are the called and chosen. They are the ones who are blessed and who are “called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb”. The Apostle John knew he was one of the called and chosen. “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;” Luke 6:13 Experiencing this vision where he, who had suffered much for the truth of the Gospel, saw the end of earthly things and his future in eternity must have touched his heart tremendously.
Application: “These are the true sayings of God.” God does not lie. His Word does not lie. If He said it, He will do it. If you are a true and faithful believer in the LORD Jesus Christ, you are called and chosen. You will be part of this vision recorded by the Apostle John. Remember this when life gets hard and devilish temptations get strong and the world laughs and persecutes you for your Faith. You win, they lose.
The Apostle John’s response of falling at the feet of this messenger for the purpose of worshiping him was stopped. Why? Because only the LORD deserves worship. This spiritual being that was communicating with him then discloses that he is merely the Apostle’s fellowservant and therefore not worthy of worship. He was one who had served on Earth and who was still serving in Heaven the same master, Jesus, just like the Apostle John. He was “of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus” meaning that he was a fellow believer living in the spirit and no longer living in the flesh. No name is ever given, and it is not known if he died naturally or died a martyr. He is identified in verse one of chapter 17 as “one of the seven angels which had the seven vials” Yet, although called an angel, he was at one time a physical, living man on Earth. There is a distinction between angels created by God as messengers before the foundation of the Earth and this believer now called an angel, the distinction being that created angels never took on flesh and blood and lived, reproduced children, and then died on Earth. So why are departed saints called angels? Well Jesus stated, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” Matthew 22:30 “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven.” Mark 12:25 So Christian believers, upon shedding their bodies of flesh, immediately go to be with Jesus in Heaven, and are then as the angels. Notice it does not say “like” the angels. And apparently, they can function as messengers as well.
Application: Many people are afraid of death. Some false religions teach that after death, the spirits of people go to different parts of the universe and join their spouses and reproduce spirit children to inhabit a planet and be little gods. This teaching merely recycles what has occurred on Earth. It has been mentioned that the doctrine of Purgatory is believed by millions of people, a doctrine of punishment for the believer after death. There are many false teachings about the “after life”, and they often involve sex, fear and pain after death. The point to take away from the verses above is that, although not a lot is taught or revealed in Scripture about the life after death of believers, there is enough to give assurance that death is not to be feared and eternal life in Heaven after this brief physical life is the reward from the LORD for a job well done in this physical life. It should be looked forward to and welcomed. The true Christian believer should never fear death as it is the portal that opens in Heaven to release the soul and spirit from the sin and pain of this world. This is not to advocate suicide. Each believer has a set time on Earth to accomplish that which God wants to be accomplished and there are many good things here to enjoy. But when it is time to exit, go with eager anticipation and joy. “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:53-55
Verses 11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
The fall and destruction of the great whore is over and these verses begin the recorded prophecy of the destruction of the Beast, the man-made anti-Christ governmental system that Satan has installed throughout the Earth. As stated before, this book of prophecy is all metaphor and cannot be read in chronological order. However, it is interesting that the vision the Apostle John is seeing contains first the destruction and judgement of the great whore, the false idolatrous religious system put in place by Satan, and then the destruction and judgement of the beast system. This supports the belief that the whore is controlling the beast upon which she is sitting. So when this false religious system falls, the beast system is without the control and leading it has had for centuries.
The rider of the white horse has been identified in Revelation 6:2 as the LORD Jesus Christ. The character of Jesus is that of being faithful and true and He is the supreme Judge of all things. While some people today are arguing about the “true” name of Jesus (Jesus or Yeshua, etc.) three more names are provided here: Faithful, True, The Word of God. As stated before, all the names of Jesus are those which describe His character. Jesus or Yeshua or Joshua all mean “salvation”. In the English language, His name is Jesus as He is the One who has provided salvation for people who reach out and take this free gift. He is faithful to fulfill His promises as written in His Word, and He is and will be faithful to fulfill all prophecy concerning the end of time as written in His Word.
Verses 14-16 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
All the nations will be smitten at the return of the LORD Jesus Christ on the last day. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7 The armies in heaven are the angels, probably including both the created angels and the saints who have died down through the ages from both the Old Testament and New Testament times. “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
Verses 17-18 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Usually, the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven are metaphor for evil spirits. If this is the correct understanding in the verses above, then if would seem that the devils or evil spirits influencing, inhabiting and/or possessing unsaved mankind turn on their hosts and victimize them. God uses evil spirits to carry out His plans. He allows them to torment individuals or nations in order to accomplish His will. This may be the case here. Or, it is simply a graphic picture of the death and destruction of the power elite, their military, their judicial and economic systems and the people following their leadership.
Verse 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
The ruling elite with their armies have always fought against God and His people and they still are. They use man-made governmental agencies and systems to legislate against and erode the freedom of religion that is God given to all mankind. Church buildings have been destroyed, pastors arrested, jailed, and/or killed worldwide. As this is being written, a Danish minister, Torben Sondergaarde, has been arrested and held in a US detention center for over 6 months with no charges filed against him. He has only been “guilty” of preaching the Gospel as put forth in the pages of the Bible. His native country, Denmark, is trying to pass legislation that will make it a crime to preach anything other than the officially state sanctioned religion. And the US has at this time denied his application for asylum. Illegals and drug cartel members can come freely into the country, but a righteous man and his family apparently are not welcome. This is making war against the LORD Jesus Christ and His servants who are His army. This continual war against a righteous God and His Church will continue until the last day, increasing in frequency and severity as time rushes onward to the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of this Earth.
Once again, these verses are not literal, but metaphor. They represent the fall and destruction of Satan’s anti-Christ governmental system that all the nations of the Earth have adopted in some form or another, and Satan’s false religious system (witchcraft, Judaism, Catholicism and all the daughters that have come from these systems). The lake of fire represents a place of eternal torment, the the remnant are all those who have followed Satan. At the second coming of the LORD Jesus Christ, all will be judged according to Scripture. It will be the Word of God or the Sword that will be held up against all the wicked and evil people and they will have no argument to present in their defense. They will be condemned to eternity without God.
Verses 20-21 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19)
Application: This writer has stated previously that the Covid-19 jab or vaxx is the “mark of the beast”. Think about all the propaganda the nations’ governments/health departments/news and media organizations have broadcast to the people regarding the existence of a health threat and the safety and efficacy of the jab. It was/is all lies. The governments along with the pharmaceutical companies have been “false prophets”, using fear and manipulation to gain herd compliance. These “false prophets” deceived them that have received the mark or the jab. People have given their hearts, minds, and common sense to these entities and have basically worshipped them. People in mass have ignored the Scripture and the promises of God and have looked to a corrupt, devilish system to save them from what they were told would be a killer virus. And they will continue to do so in other aspects of their lives until the LORD returns. God stated in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Only the true Christian believer will be preserved in these end times and receive the reward of eternal life in Heaven with the LORD Jesus Christ.