Revelation 19:1 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Revelation 19:1

Comments

We come to the triumph of the people of God over Babylon. In contrast to the wreckage of this world described in the last two chapters, the redeemed stand secure forever. The great multitude which John has already witnessed assembled in heaven (7:9) is now heard to proclaim its victory in triumphant tones. They are in heaven, as before in front of the throne of God. Their minds are filled with wonder at the enormity of what has been done for them. They are a great multitude, which, John is assured, no man can number. They cry out with one voice. There is no disagreement among them about who is the only worthy object of their praise. God alone fills their thoughts and his everlasting salvation. They cry out loudly for all the universe to hear. This praise cannot be kept secret, it cannot be something for only some to hear about. It is the greatest matter that any created mind can consider, whether they have been personally involved in redemption themselves or, like the angels, have simply been observers of God’s great work.‘After these things, I heard a great voice of much people in heaven.’ They are the ransomed, the elect, the redeemed of God. ‘Saying, Alleluia;’ – that means praise the Lord – ‘Salvation,’ – rescue; that’s the meaning of the word. Rescue from sin and the power of sin; rescue from condemnation, from deception; rescue belongs to God. ‘And glory’ – the root meaning is weight, worth, value, all value. The greatest imaginable value belongs to God. ‘And honour’ – esteem, because of all that he has done in redemption, particularly, in creation also. He is worthy of utmost esteem, and nobody has honour as God does. ‘And power’ – invincible power. Four terrific words: rescue, worth, esteem, and power, unto the Lord our God. That’s the theme of the worship of those in heaven. ‘For true’ – in this context think of the word ‘fair’. This is a judgement context. True really speaks of the absolute fairness of God's judgement. ‘And righteous’ – holy – ‘are his judgments.’ They are fair; they are holy; everything God does is fair and holy. ‘For he hath judged the great whore’ – the whole world, no country excepted – ‘with her fornication,’ – her seduction – ‘and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.’In particular they give thanks to God for what he has done to the great harlot. They have felt her power, they have tried to overcome her; they have not submitted to her ways, but they know they had no power to bring her down from her position of authority. Now God has done what they could not have done.

Application

Have you ever been tempted by Satan to doubt that salvation is fair? Because God overrules by his mighty power, his irresistible grace, and turns millions of people to repentance and faith. Satan whispers in your ear: ‘What about those who God does not predestinate and turn? Is it fair? We always remind ourselves that whatever God does is absolutely fair. In heaven the righteous cry, ‘For fair and holy are his judgements.’ Everything he does is perfect. It's our judgements, which is imperfect.

Questions

The word translated ‘avenged’ in this 19th chapter of Revelation translates ‘punish’. It’s perfectly correct to translate it as ‘avenged’, but unfortunately the way we use that word group, ‘revenge’ and ‘vengeance’, may suggest bitterness and hatred, and a kind of lust see somebody punished for the sake of it. It is really better to retreat from the word ‘avenge’ go back to the Greek root, which is simply ‘punished’. In the fairness and holiness of God, all this seduction of the world is punished. And particularly the world is punished for the persecution of God’s servants.

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Revelation 19:1 Commentary and Bible Study