Revelation 19:1-10
Heaven Rejoices over Babylon's Fall
Read the passage
1After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!
2For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.”
3And a second time they called out: “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.”
4And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!”
5Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!”
6And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
7Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.
8She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.
9Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
10So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
John hears what seems to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah!” Salvation, glory, and power belong to God because His judgments are true and just. God has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged the blood of His servants.
The multitude cries “Hallelujah!” again, and the smoke from the city's burning goes up forever and ever. The twenty-four elders and four living creatures fall down and worship God on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”
A voice from the throne calls God's servants, all who fear Him, small and great, to praise Him. John hears what sounds like a great multitude, many waters, and mighty thunder, saying that the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. They rejoice and give glory because the marriage of the Lamb has come and His Bride has made herself ready.
The Bride is given fine linen, bright and pure, which is the righteous deeds of the saints. The angel tells John to write that those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb are blessed. John falls down to worship the angel, but the angel tells him not to do that: he is a fellow servant, and worship belongs to God.
The bride's clothing is given to her, and that clothing represents the saints' righteous acts. Gift and readiness belong together. God's people do not purchase the invitation with their deeds, but the grace they receive bears fruit in their lives. The angel's refusal of worship keeps the honor where it belongs: with God, whose true words announce the feast.
Questions
1 Why does heaven praise God?
AnswerHeaven praises God because His judgments are true and just, and because He has judged the prostitute and avenged the blood of His servants.
2 Who is called to praise?
AnswerGod's servants and all who fear Him, small and great, are called to praise. The invitation includes people across status and scale.
3 What has come?
AnswerThe marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready. The image shifts from Babylon's corrupt union to a covenant relationship marked by readiness.
4 Whom must John worship?
AnswerHe must worship God, not the angel. The angel is a fellow servant, and the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
What This Means for Us
The promised wedding is a reason for glad, willing obedience. Think of a good work you have been treating only as a burden: serving someone, telling the truth, or making peace. Ask God to help you do it as a person preparing to meet the Lamb. His gift gives us reason to rejoice and to make ourselves ready.
Prayer
Lord God, thank You for the invitation to the Lamb's feast. Give us joy in Your grace and willingness to do what is right as we await Him. Receive our worship. Amen.