In Revelation 19 we see the culmination of our justification, and it is the greatest celebration we could imagine.  There’s a story at the end of WWI that at 11:00 on the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918 WWI officially comes to an end. Ferdinand Foch, the commander in chief of all Allied forces on the Western Front sent a message by telegraph to all his commanders saying, “Hostilities will cease on the entire front on November 11^th.

It is said that WWI soldiers had their watches in their hands waiting for the clock to strike 11:00, and then a curious rippling sound, which was described like a light wind, as men cheered for the end of WWI.  What we see in Revelation 19 is that story times a million.

Revelation 19:1, “1 After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God”

• Revelation is written by the Apostle John who also wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2, and 3 John.
• John is writing this letter from an island where he is exiled for proclaiming the name of Jesus, and John is writing to a group of Christians to bring encouragement.
• The phrase “after these things” is a reminder of what just took place in Revelation 18, and in Revelation 18 we see the downfall of Babylon, and it is because of the downfall of Babylon that we see “a great multitude in heaven is saying, ‘Hallelujah!’”
• In Revelation 18 evil is destroyed, and in Revelation 19 there is, “A loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.”

Revelation 19:2-3, “2 because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her. 3 And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever.”

•  In verse 2 we see that when Jesus returns He will return with judgment. The “great harlot” is a reference to evil and corruption in Babylon, and the “blood of His bond-servants” are those who have died for their faith in Jesus, and in verse 2 we see there is justice.

Revelation 19:4-5, “4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And a voice came from the throne, saying” “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.”

• The reference to the “twenty-four elders” and the “bond-servants” is a reference to those who are in Christ, coming together with the multitude, verses 1-3, four living creatures (angelic being) and saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”
• The word “amen” means “agreement.” So as to say, “I mean it. The word “hallelujah” means, “Praise the Lord!” The heavens and creation are responding in worship!
• Circle the word “fear” in verse 5. You can’t read Revelation 19 and not ask yourself, “Is there a layer of fear in you before the God of Scripture?”

Revelation 19:7-8, “7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

• In verses 1-6 we see the announcement of the victory, evil is defeated. But in verses 7-8 we see the celebration of the victory. In verses 7-8 we see the ticker tape parade as the Great Warrior returns home for His people.

Revelation 19:9-10, “9 Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” “10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

•  Did you know the gospel is an invitation? Throughout this series we see the gospel is necessary (Romans 1-2), the gospel a declaration of righteousness as a gift by grace through faith (Romans 3), and in Revelation 19 the gospel is an invitation.

When you believe in Jesus it doesn’t mean you go home, and just watch television until Jesus returns. The celebration is now. Evil is going to be destroyed. Justice is going to be accomplished.

Therefore, let us live as though the celebration is already here. Let us not hold too tightly to the allures of this world that wither and fade, but let us live our lives with this view of Revelation 19 in hearts and minds today.

Let us not grow weary in doing good.  Let us not lose heart in the face of trials. It is because of Revelation 19 that we see that those trials will not go on for eternity. There will be an end. The celebration will come.