The defeat of the devil and the forces of darkness is accompanied by the cries of the triumphant Church, coming from the Throne of glory...
The defeat of the devil and the forces of darkness is accompanied by the cries of the triumphant Church, coming from the Throne of glory (vv. 5-7). At first glance it may seem that there are fairly distinct vindictive notes in this triumph (vv. 1-4). But the point, of course, is not that Christians rejoice over the catastrophes that fall on the world because of its sinfulness. After all, the image of the "prostitute of Babylon" appears in John's vision for a reason. It is undoubtedly connected with another female image: the "wife of the Lamb," ready for the marriage that in the New Testament books becomes the symbol of the messianic Kingdom (vv. 7-9).
Here there is both parallel and antithesis. In the biblical books, both Old Testament and New Testament, marital relationships become a symbol of God's relationship with His people, as well as with an individual person. New Testament symbolism of marriage, the bridal chamber, and the wedding feast as symbols of the messianic Kingdom continues this tradition. The image of the "prostitute of Babylon" is an element of it as well, and of course it is not accidental: in the Old Testament books too, especially in the prophetic books, paganism is often regarded as spiritual debauchery, as betrayal of the union with God whose symbol is marital bonds.
In this context, the destruction of the "prostitute of Babylon" becomes not merely a symbol of the catastrophe falling on those who oppose God. It turns out to be the triumph of the Covenant over betrayal, of faithfulness over apostasy, of the Kingdom over its enemies. Such a triumph, of course, can evoke nothing in the faithful except joy, not because they take pleasure in seeing sinners punished, but because the triumph of the Kingdom is for them the goal and meaning of life. Of course, every Christian would want everyone to be saved and no one to remain outside the Kingdom. But this depends on the choice of those to whom the Kingdom is offered, and no one can either predetermine or change that choice: the Kingdom is not imposed, it is offered, and it can be accepted only by free will. Of course, one can only grieve over the choice of those who reject the Kingdom, but that sorrow will not diminish the joy of the faithful over its triumph.
19
19:1 I heard a loud voice of a great multitude - Whose blood the great whore had shed. Saying, Hallelujah - This Hebrew word signifies, Praise ye Jah, or Him that is. God named himself to Moses, EHEIEH, that is, I will be, Exo 3:14; and at the same time, "Jehovah," that is, "He that is, and was, and is to come:" during the trumpet of the seventh angel, he is styled, "He that is and was," Rev 16:5; and not "He that is to come;" because his long - expected coming is under this trumpet actually present.At length he is styled, "Jah," "He that is;" the past together with the future being swallowed up in the present, the former things being no more mentioned, for the greatness of those that now are. This title is of all others the most peculiar to the everlasting God. The salvation - Is opposed to the destruction which the great whore had brought upon the earth. His power and glory - Appear from the judgment executed on her, and from the setting up his kingdom to endure through all ages.
19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments - Thus is the cry of the souls under the altar changed into a song of praise.
19:4 And the four and twenty elders, and the four living creatures felt down - The living creatures are nearer the throne than the elders. Accordingly they are mentioned before them, with the praise they render to God, Rev 4:9-10; Rev 5:8, Rev 5:14; inasmuch as there the praise moves from the centre to the circumference. But here, when God's judgments are fulfilled, it moves back from the circumference to the centre. Here, therefore, the four and twenty elders are named before the living creatures.
19:5 And a voice came forth from the throne - Probably from the four living creatures, saying, Praise our God - The occasion and matter of this song of praise follow immediately after, Rev 19:6, etc; God was praised before, for his judgment of the great whore, Rev 19:1-4. Now for that which follows it: for that the Lord God, the Almighty, takes the kingdom to himself, and avenges himself on the rest of his enemies. Were all these inhabitants of heaven mistaken? If not, there is real, yea, and terrible anger in God.
19:6 And I heard the voice of a great multitude. So all his servants did praise him. The Almighty reigneth - More eminently and gloriously than ever before.
19:7 The marriage of the Lamb is come - Is near at hand, to be solemnized speedily. What this implies, none of "the spirits of just men," even in paradise, yet know. O what things are those which are yet behind! And what purity of heart should there be, to meditate upon them! And his wife hath made herself ready - Even upon earth; but in a far higher sense, in that world. After a time allowed for this, the new Jerusalem comes down, both made ready and adorned, Rev 21:2.
19:8 And it is given to her - By God. The bride is all holy men, the whole invisible church. To be arrayed in fine linen, white and clean - This is an emblem of the righteousness of the saints - Both of their justification and sanctification.
19:9 And he - The angel, saith to me, Write - St. John seems to have been so amazed at these glorious sights, that he needeth to be reminded of this. Happy are they who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb - Called to glory. And he saith - After a little pause.
19:10 And I fell before his feet to worship him - It seems, mistaking him for the angel of the covenant. But he saith, See thou do it not - In the original, it is only, See not, with a beautiful abruptness. To pray to or worship the highest creature is flat idolatry. I am thy fellowservant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus - I am now employed as your fellowservant, to testify of the Lord Jesus, by the same Spirit which inspired the prophets of old.