Revelation 19:5-10

Beginning with the breaking of the first seal in chapter 6 and ending with the termination and destruction of Babylon the great (the world system responsible for the blood of prophets, saints, and martyrs), John witnessed judgment upon judgment. In the text before us, John was shown something quite different. He witnessed the praises of “much people” in heaven. Their praises were directed to the Lord God in response to His righteous judgments.

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying Praise our God . . .” (v. 5). The voice belongs to a singular speaker who knows God as “our God” and speaks from the very throne of God. In the text before us, John witnessed this voice interact with a presence that is described as the voice of a great multitude (v. 5-8). In verses 9 and 10, John recorded the interchange between himself and the voice which came out of the throne of God.

The voice instructed all who are servants of God and all who fear Him to praise Him. John heard the voice of many cry out in response. John heard the words: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Alleluia (Greek) is the word which John recorded. Had John penned Revelation in the English language, he would have substituted hallelujah for alleluia. The literal meaning of hallelujah is praise Yahweh. Yahweh is the proper name of the one true God. Use of the Lord’s proper name implies that one enjoys a personal, covenantal relationship with God.

The voice of many declares the reason it cries out “Alleluia.” The voice cried out because the Lord God omnipotent reigns. It is not a declaration of faith. It is a declaration of the actual state of affairs on Planet Earth that came into effect when Babylon was thrown down, thrown down to never rise again (see Rev. 18:21). In verse 7, the voice which came out of the throne announced that the marriage of the Lamb is come. The marriage of the Lamb is a three-part happening — the betrothal, the presentation, and the feast. The betrothal is the promise. Believers of the present day rejoice because God’s promises are certain. The presentation shall be when believers, both dead and alive, shall be gathered in heaven to meet the Lamb face to face following the rapture (I Thess. 4:17). The third part of the marriage is the marriage feast which shall take place at the beginning of Christ’s rule from the throne of David.

“. . . his wife hath made herself ready” (v. 7). How can and does the bride make herself ready? The bride is arrayed in fine linen which is the righteousness of the saints. The righteousness of the saints is righteousness which is produced by believing God. God counts believing Him for righteousness. The righteousness of the saints is not separate from God. The bride was granted the privilege to don fine linen, clean and white, which was produced by believing God.

That which the voice spoke in verses 7 and 8 was spoken to all who are servants of God and fear Him. In scripture, servants of God are individuals who are dedicated to God’s will and faithfully carry out His purposes. The term is used to describe prophets like Moses, David, and Isaiah. Individuals become servants of God by allowing God to use them for His purposes.

“Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (v. 9). This is the fourth “Blessed” which appears in the book of Revelation. Obtaining the blessing of the “Blessed” is conditional. In this instance, one must be called to the marriage feast. The one who calls guests to the wedding feast is the father of the groom. It is He who makes feast preparations (see Matt. 22:3). All who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb are known to the Father through the Son. The Father loves them who love the Son (Jn. 16:27). Those called to the marriage supper of the Lamb are blessed because they love the Lamb who first loved them.

John knew the Lamb and loved the Lamb. In the gospel bearing his name, John refers to himself as the disciple Jesus loved. John heard the voice say, “These are the true sayings of God” (v. 9). John heard and was overwhelmed. He fell down to worship the voice. John was about to bestow an honor upon the voice that belongs to God alone (Ex. 20:3-6). It did not happen. The voice did not let it happen.

John was overwelmed. He, unknowingly, was about to sin against God. Believers sin daily against God because we fail to let His holy goodness be seen in us at all times. We fail to worship Him in a deserved manner. We are on earth; John was in heaven before the very throne of God.

John did not sin because God did not allow him to do so. The voice out of the throne would not allow it. In verse 10, the voice identifies himself as a fellowservant who possesses the testimony of Jesus. The voice instructed John to worship God because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The phrase, spirit of prophecy, captures an image of the realization of unseen things that were once future. The weddingfeast of the Lamb is the culmination of unseen things of which Moses, David, Isaiah, and other fellowservants have spoken. Let us joy in Him who fills our cups with oil.