Revelation Advent -- December 21

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. (Revelation 19:6-8, ESV)

Revelation 19 and 20 presents six snapshots:

• Rejoicing in heaven over the fall of Babylon.
• The marriage supper of the Lamb.
• The last great battle.
• A recapitulation of history from Christ's ascension to second coming, expressed as 1000 years.
• The defeat of Satan.
• The final judgement.

The saints in heaven rejoice over Babylon's fall. These were the ones under the alter in Revelation 6 who cried out how long will it be before God avenges them. The fall of Babylon, along with Christ's second coming and the marriage feast of the Lamb, are God's answer to their prayers. All believers who face persecution and hardship can look forward to the fall of the corrupt, evil systems of this world and to Christ's return. This vision has given strength to millions of Christians throughout the ages when they could not fight back, and allows others who can fight to yield their desire for vengeance to God, who is the one that will set everything aright.

The marriage feast in Revelation 19:6-10 shows the great celebration of Christ's return. Christ's church will be consummated in marriage to Christ.

The last part of the Revelation 19 depicts the final battle. The sea beast (referred to as the beast) and the earth beast (referred to as the false prophet) are defeated.

We are entering the glorious part of Revelation, where Christ's second advent will usher in the new heaven and the new earth. All evil will be defeated. A party unlike all others will erupt in heaven and come to earth. All the suffering, no matter how great, will pale to the celebration that follows.

As the angel says: "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." Don't miss out on this. Come to Christ. Those who are already in Christ, we have a lot to look forward to. As we celebrate Christ's first advent, let us also remember