Heaven’s Hallelujah Chorus

Verses 7-8 speak of the preparation of the bride for her wedding day. Through sanctification by the Word and Spirit, she has made herself ready (see Eph 2:10). This is the only time in Revelation where the saints are described as making themselves ready, preparing themselves as the bride of Christ for His coming. How do we prepare ourselves and get ready for that day? I believe the book of Revelation itself provides the answer.

As Philippians 2:12 says, we are to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling.” But don’t miss what Philippians 2:13 says, for it matches up perfectly with Revelation 19:8. Philippians tells us, “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.” And in Revelation 19:8 we read, “She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.” Who, we might ask, granted her the permission to clothe herself in this way? God did! This is what is called a “divine passive,” where God is the implied agent behind the action. Ladd says it perfectly:

While the bride must make herself ready for the marriage, her glorious raiment is not something she can acquire for herself; it must be granted her, i.e., given to her as a divine gift. . . . The fine linen, bright and pure, stands in sharp contrast to the brilliant robes of the harlot. The wedding garment is a simple white garment which has been washed and “made . . . white in blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). (Commentary, 249)

REVELATION 19:9-10

John Piper is again spot-on when he says,

[Worship] is what the whole book of Revelation is about. That’s the point of all God’s judgments, all God’s dealings with the world. All God’s plans for history from beginning to end have this one goal—WORSHIP GOD! Don’t worship the wealth of Babylon, don’t worship the power of Babylon, don’t worship the pleasures of Babylon, and don’t even worship the holy messenger who brings you the news that Babylon has fallen forever. WORSHIP GOD!

[The church] is an alien outpost in Babylon. And we exist to reassert God’s rightful place wherever it has been prostituted to secular commerce or secular education or secular entertainment or secular media or secular arts or secular sports. All the people of God, exiled in Babylon, are called to be filled with the Spirit of prophecy (Acts 2:17f), and the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 19:10)—the testimony that Jesus is the Lord of the universe and that means Lord over every area of secular life in Babylon.

But as an alien outpost in Babylon we know what’s coming. And we know what the worship of heaven is going to be like when Babylon comes down, and God stands forth to vindicate his Son. And we know from verse 10 that the reason this has all been revealed to us ahead of time is that we might WORSHIP GOD. God lets John hear the celebration of heaven so that in his exile and his suffering he might join in and worship God. And John wrote it down in a book so that we might listen to the worship of heaven and join in. (“Worship God!”)

John is given a command by an angel to “write.” He is to record the fourth of the seven “blessings” in Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14). Those who participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb are “fortunate” or blessed. This stands in striking contrast to those who are judged at the “the great supper of God” in verses 17-18 at the second coming of Jesus. The angel adds his own words of affirmation and confirmation: “These words of God are true.” There is no deceit, deception, falsehood, or lying in these words. As is always true of God’s words, these words are true.

John is overwhelmed by all of this. He falls at the feet of the angel to worship him (19:10). This is sin. This is idolatry, even if the being is an angel. John receives a quick and stiff rebuke: “Don’t do that.” Three reasons are given. First, because “I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus,” who hold also to the faithful witness given by Christ. Second, because you must instead “worship God.” The clear implication is we are to worship God and only God. As 1 John 5:21 says, “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”

Third, because “the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The idea, I believe, is that the true spirit of prophecy always bears witness to Jesus. The true spirit of prophecy always points to Jesus. MacArthur says,

The central theme of Old Testament prophecy and New Testament preaching is the Lord Jesus Christ. Until the coming of His Kingdom, all who proclaim the gospel must be faithful to the testimony of Jesus, the saving gospel message, which was His message. (Revelation 12–22, 207)

David Levy adds,

In this book, prophecy is designed to unfold Christ’s character, glory, purpose, and program. Therefore, ‘Worship God’ alone (v. 10)! With these words, the scene is set for the manifestation of Jesus Christ as the glorified King of king and the Lord of lords. Hallelujah! (“Marriage Supper,” 26)

Scott Duvall provides nine excellent theological observations that capture the key themes of Revelation 19. I believe they serve us well as concluding truths on which we should meditate and reflect. I hope they will inspire even greater worship for “our Lord God, the Almighty.”

Once more we see, it really is all about Jesus. That has always been God’s plan. Nothing will keep it from coming to pass.