TEACHING NOTES Part 19: The Marriage Feast & The White Horse Rider Introduction This session of our study will cover Rev. 19, which celebrates the accomplished judgments of God on Jerusalem (the great prostitute). Now that the old Jerusalem has been destroyed, along with the temple, the old covenant has been rendered fully obsolete. The old covenant is fulfilled and will no longer be a hindrance to the new covenant. This is a cause for rejoicing, which is how Rev. 19 begins. Overview of Rev. 19 Rev. 19 seems to describe three periods of time: PAST: The judgment of the prostitute (Rev. 19:1-5). PRESENT: The Marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-10). FUTURE: The return of Christ (Rev. 19:11-21). Rejoicing in Heaven (Rev. 19:1-5) In Rev. 17-18 we learned that “Babylon the great prostitute” (Jerusalem) has fallen. Since Jerusalem was the headquarters of Israel’s unfaithfulness and was guilty of all the righteous bloodshed of the earth (Matt. 23:29-36; Rev. 18:24), the city must be removed to make way for a new city. The prostitute must be removed to make way for a new Bride. Now John hears heaven rejoicing. ​ Revelation 19:1–3 ESV 1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 3 Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” Salvation, glory, power belong to God = Heaven is declaring that since salvation, glory, and power come from God, these things belong to God. In other words, heaven is declaring that God is the source. His judgments are true and just = Since the majority of the book of Revelation describes severe judgments, heaven is ensuring that these judgments are “true” and “just” or righteous. The greater the sin, the greater the judgment. He has judged the great prostitute = This indicates that heaven is rejoicing over the judgment/destruction/divorce of Jerusalem. Avenged on her the blood of his servants = Jerusalem’s long history of killing the saints, prophets, and servants of Jesus is the precise reason that her destruction was so severe. Smoke from her goes up forever = This is the same language that was often used to describe the destruction of Sodom. In Revelation it is applied to the destruction of Jerusalem (Rev. 18:9, 18). This does not mean that Sodom nor Jerusalem is constantly being destroyed forever, but that the memory of its destruction will go on forever. Since the same language is also used for hell or those in the lake of fire (Rev. 14:11; 19:20; 20:10, 15), we should keep this metaphor in mind. ​ Revelation 19:4–5 ESV 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” From the throne came a voice = Since this voice declares, “Praise our God...” this must be the voice of Jesus or the Holy Spirit. It is common in the Gospels for Jesus to refer to the Father as His God. The Marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-10) As we have already seen, God destroyed/divorced “the great prostitute” (Jerusalem) for her unfaithfulness (Rev. 17-18). Now Revelation presents a new Bride for the Lamb. The best way to understand the marriage of the Lamb is to survey the Old Testament passages that it is based on. What John is hearing in Rev. 19:6-10 is the fulfilment of these OT passages about the Messiah (the Christ): Isa. 25:6 “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.” Isa. 54:5 “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” Isa. 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Jer. 31:12-14 “12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. 13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 14 I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.”” ​ Revelation 19:6–8 ESV 6 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. 7 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; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. Voices that sound like waters/thunder = This is common throughout Revelation that voices sound like a roaring sea or loud thunder (Rev. 6:1; 10:3-4; 14:2). The Lord our God the Almighty reigns = Of course God has always reigned, but now that Jesus has stripped Satan’s power of humanity, defeated death through His resurrection, and brought the Spirit to inhabit believers, the kingdom is now and forever here. This phrase looks forward to Rev. 20:1-6 where the reign of Christ is described. The marriage of the Lamb has come = In the biblical world, to be engaged or betrothed was the same as being married. In that sense, the marriage has already occured and we have been made ready. The cross and resurrection began the new covenant (God reigns). The coming of the Spirit into believers makes us the family of God (the Bride is ready). Perhaps all we’re waiting on now is the wedding reception. His Bride has made herself ready = In Greek, the phrase “made herself ready” is in the aorist tense—meaning it began in the past and is continuing now. Until Christ returns, His Bride is continuously being made ready as more people become believers and are transformed by the Spirit. Clothe herself with fine linen = This phrase is describing how the Bride was “made ready.” She is made ready by being “clothed” in righteousness. This concept of God’s people (His Bride) being clothed in purity/righteousness was prophesied in the Old Testament (Ezek. 16:10; Isa. 61:10). The fine linen IS the righteous deeds of the saints = John steps in and interprets the “fine linen” for us. It’s a symbol or metaphor for how God, through the cross and resurrection of His Son, has made us righteous. New Testament Context for the Marriage of the Lamb Jesus seems to have been very interested in weddings: Jesus’ first miracle took place at a wedding, where He changed water into wine (John 2:1-11). This was a fulfilment of Isa. 25:6. Jesus told several parables about weddings to explain the kingdom of God (Matt. 22:1-14; 25:1-13; Luke 12:35-48; 14:7-11). In some of these parables, a king (God) is throwing a wedding feast for his son (Jesus). Paul explains human marriage as an illustration of Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:22-33). ​ Revelation 19:9–10 ESV 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: 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.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper = This is the 4th of seven beatitudes in Revelation. The idea that people are invited to the wedding reception is included in almost all of Jesus’ wedding parables. In Jesus’ teaching, everyone is invited and some choose not to come. Those who do want to celebrate with Jesus at His wedding is considered blessed. The angel rejects worship from John = Angel’s rejecting worship is common in the Bible, especially in biblical apocalyptic literature. Angels are merely servants of God and are not to be worshiped. An angel that allows worship is an evil spirit. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy = Here we’re told the New Testament definition of prophesy. NT prophesy is not telling the future, but telling the story of Jesus (the Gospel). Any modern “prophesy” that is not pointing to Jesus is just words and no prophesy at all. The Rider on a White Horse (Rev. 19:11-21) There are several views about this section. It’s difficult to discern which view is correct, because each one has its merits. Here are three options for what Rev. 19:11-21 is describing: The destruction of Jerusalem (or its aftermath). The final return of Christ (in the future). Both—or it has a double-meaning. ​ Revelation 19:11–13 ESV 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. White horse = Earlier in Revelation we read about four horsemen, one of which was riding a white horse, carrying a bow, and wearing a crown (Rev. 6:2). Faithful and True = These titles were already assigned to Jesus in Rev. 3:7, 14. Eyes like a flame of fire = The same description of what John saw in the first vision of the Son of Man in Rev. 1:14; 2:18. In the Old Testament, before God judged the land we’re told that first “God saw” and then He “came down” (see Gen. 6:5-13; 11:1-9). In the same way, the Son of God looks on the nations with anger as He comes down. A name written that no one knows but himself = We already got a hint of this in Rev. 2:17; 3:12 where the faithful saints are said to receive a new name that no one knows. Clothed in a robe dipped in blood = This image comes from Isa. 63:1-3 which refers The name by which he is called is The Word of God = Later in John’s life, when he wrote his Gospel, John begins with “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1). John received that title for Jesus while receiving Revelation on the island of Patmos. ​ Revelation 19:14–16 ESV 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. The armies of heaven were following him on white horses = This must be referring to the final return of Christ to earth. Paul states that when Christ returns “God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Therefore, this army from heaven is made up of the saints and martyrs who previously died. To strike down the nations = Whereas the previous judgments of Revelation were concentrated on Israel and Jerusalem, this event is about all the nations. This seems to be an introductory description of the final battle in Rev. 20:7-10. He will rule them with a rod of iron = In Greek, this phrase reads “he will shepherd/pastor them with rod of iron.” This phrase comes from Psalm 2:9 which describes the Messiah. This phrase is used several times in Revelation and always refers to Jesus (see Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15). He will tread the winepress of the wrath of God = The first time we see this phrase in Rev. 14:19-20, it referred to the destruction of Jerusalem and is located “outside the city”—which is likely Gehenna/Valley of Hinnom. Here in Rev. 19:15 all the evil nations are tread in the winepress, and no specific city is mentioned. The harvest in Rev. 14:14-20 was focused on Israel (the first enemy of the saints). The harvest in Rev. 19:11-21 is for all the nations who come against the saints. On his thigh a name written King of kings and Lord of lords = This title for Jesus was already mentioned in Rev. 17:14. One of the main points of Revelation is to reveal Jesus as King of the earth. While Jesus walked on earth, He avoided the title of King because people misunderstood what kind of King He was going to be. No one was expecting Jesus to be crowned king with a crown of thorns on a cross. The first time Jesus came to earth He came as a Servant King. When Jesus returns, He will come as a ruling King. ​ Revelation 19:17–18 ESV 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” Called to the birds = This is certainly from Ezek. 38-39, specifically Ezek. 39:17-20. This passage from Ezekiel is about a future invasion of evil nations against Israel. This battle is led by Magog, a nation from the north. In Rev. 20:7-10 these “Gog and Magog” nations are deceived by Satan to make war on the saints. Therefore, this passage in Rev. 19:11-21 is like a flash-forward to Rev. 20:7-10. This means that Rev. 19:11-21 and Rev. 20:7-10 are describing the same event. This is the final event that brings about the end before the new beginning. Could this also refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70? Some scholars think that Rev. 19 is all about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. However, all the connections to Ezek. 38-39 seem to indicate that this is a future battle that has not yet occured. Therefore, the destruction of Jerusalem was a small preview of what God will do to all nations who come against God’s saints in the final battle at the end. ​ Revelation 19:19 ESV 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. The beast and kings of the land make war against Christ = If this is referring to an event in our future, it seems that the beast and those who follow him will make another attempt to defeat Christ and His saints. Rev. 20:7-10 describes such an event. When the beast used Rome to attack the saints and Jerusalem, he was allowed to win. This time, the beast is not allowed to win in the least. And this time the beast’s target is Christ and the armies of heaven. This is clearly referring to a future event. ​ Revelation 19:20–21 ESV 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. The beast was captured = This passage indicates that the beast and his armies were quickly defeated and destroyed. Since the beast was clearly Rome in the war with Jerusalem, this cannot refer to that battle. Rome won against Jerusalem and Rome did not fall until a few centuries later. Although some scholars think this passage is about the fall of Rome in AD 476, this passage most likely refers to something in our future. The false prophet = This character is never explained and only mentioned three times in Revelation (Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). All we’re told is that this false prophet worked with the beast to deceive people into worshiping the beast. The false prophet used “signs” or likely false miracles to convince people to follow the beast. Since John equates false prophets and antichrists in 1 John 2:18; 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 7, this false prophet could be seen as an antichrist figure. The lake of fire = The beast and the false prophet are thrown alive into the lake of fire. This was prophesied in Dan. 7:11. The lake of fire is only mentioned in Revelation and only toward the end of the book. Jesus alludes to this place, although He doesn’t call it “the lake of fire”, in Matt. 25:41 where we learn that this place was created for the devil and his angels. According to the New Testament, no one goes to the lake of fire until after the final judgment day (Rev. 20:11-15). We’re told in Rev. 20:14-15 we that the lake of fire IS the second death. Terms often mistranslated “hell” in the Bible: There are several words in the Bible that are mistranslated as “hell” in our English Bibles. This is unfortunate and misleading for modern Bible readers. What we think of as the eternal place of judgment or “hell” is what Revelation calls “the lake of fire.” Sheol (Hebrew): In the Old Testament “Sheol” was simply the place of the dead, both righteous and unrighteous (see Gen. 37:35; Num. 16:30-33). It is not the “hell” of modern theology. Everyone who died under the old covenant (except for Enoch, Moses, Elijah) went to Sheol to await the final resurrection. Many modern translations get this one right by simply translating is “Sheol” but older English Bibles (like the King James Version) translated “Sheol” as “hell.” Hades (Greek): This term is used in the New Testament and is simply the Greek word for Sheol. Hades and Sheol is the same place. Most of our modern English translations wrongly translate this as “hell.” Jesus seems to indicate that Hades/Sheol has at least two separate compartments—one for the righteous and another for the unrighteous (see Luke 16:19-31). Those who have died rejecting God as in the unrighteous side of Hades/Sheol are awaiting the final resurrection—after which they will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15). Gehenna (Greek): This was a literal valley outside Jerusalem. Ge-henna is the Greek translation of the Hebrew for Valley of Hinnom. This is where Israelites in the Old Testament sacrificed their babies to the god Molech. It is also the place where the bodies of dead Israelites were stacked and burned in 586 BC and AD 70. It’s association with evil and the burning of the dead became the visible illustration of what the “lake of fire” would be like. The Abyss (Greek): Usually translated as “the bottomless pit” in English. This is the place where evil spirits are confined. Humans are never said to be there or ever will be there. In Luke 8:31 the demons beg Jesus not to send them to the Abyss. Tartarus (Greek): This term is only mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4, but is also referred to in 1 Peter 3:19 as the place where evil spirits from the Old Testament are imprisoned. Tartarus is not “hell” but is another Greek term for the Abyss. Peter and Jude both state that the rebellious sons of God (Gen. 6:1-4) are locked up in the Abyss/Tartarus (see 1 Pet. 3:19; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). The Lake of Fire: The lake of fire in Revelation is the only biblical term that most closely fits our modern idea of eternal hell. However, according to Revelation no one goes there until the end. Those who want nothing to do with God will get their wish and will be burned up in the lake of fire after the final judgment. Review: Rev. 19:1-5 is heaven celebrating the destruction/divorce of Jerusalem. Rev. 19:6-15 is heaven celebrating the marriage of Jesus to His Bride. Rev. 19:11-21 looks forward to the return of Christ to judge all nations, which is further described in Rev. 20:7-10.