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THREE FOLD HALLELUJAH

Revelation 19:1-10

Key Verses 6-7

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

Introduction

Here, this great multitude, the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures all join in celebrating the fall of the Antichrist(Satan) and the worldly people/system that supported him. Rev 6:10 reads, “They called out in a loud voice, “How long,Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Here, finally, their prayer is answered. “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah” God’s people rejoice without limit at His ultimate victory over Babylon.

Look at verses 1.

1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

(A) This passage begins with the words “After this” which is in reference to an event in the previous chapter (Rev 18): read over and describe this event.

The described event in Revelation 18 is the fall of Babylon the Great.
“Babylon” is name given to the tangible powers and authorities of this world as well as the physical nations themselves.
The spiritual image of Babylon is that of a drunk prostitute riding atop of a beast. For more, read Revelation 17.
The “Fall of Babylon the Great” is the climax of God’s multitude of judgements against the godless and satanically influenced world.
Even though God brought plagues on the earth to break people down to repentance, “they refused to repent of what they had done.” (Rev 16:10)

(B) What word did the people of the earth repeatedly use to express the situation (Rev 18:9-20)?

The worldly people, those who did not repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ, lament the fall of Babylon with a three-fold “Woe!”
The word “woe”, is an exclamation of grief, sorrow or shame. Showing it being repeated in a three-fold manner, reveals how utterly overwhelming the feeling of sorrow and shame was.

In glorious contrast to the worldly people’s three-fold “woe!”, we have a three-fold “Hallelujah” occurring amongst Jesus’ people. The word “Hallelujah” has the meaning: “Praise God!”

(D) What can we learn from this contrast?

Those who are not a part of Jesus will lose completely, while those who are in Christ will win completely. In the end there are only complete winners and complete losers, those who are with Christ and those who are without Christ. In the end it is a “zero sum game” without a gray area(like win-win area of non-zero sum game).

We need to take heed to this truth and earnestly seek Jesus in our short life on earth through repentance and obedience to him. A life that is dedicated to Jesus looks crazy or illogical but in the end (as we see in Revelation) its the only way to complete victory.

Look at verses 1 and 2.

1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

(A) What reason did the “great multitude in heaven” give for their first “Hallelujah!” (1)?

Salvation, and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgements.
Revelation 7:9-17 read,

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

(B) How is God “true and just” in judging Babylon the Great?

God is “true” in the sense he is not partial or bias or motivated for selfish purposes like fallen man. God is light without any darkness at all. The purity of God’s ways, in this case his judgements, are impossible for dark minds to appreciate, but the “great multitude” in heaven fully comprehend this quality and praise God for it.
Historically, fallen man either judges too harshly or too lightly, and without God’s knowledge of motivations or the conditions of the human heart, fallen man’s judgements are often inaccurate. God on the other hand is perfect in his judgements so that no one can say, “I didn’t get a proper judgement.” In punishing and judging Babylon God was “true and just”.

One: “corrupting the earth by her adulteries”. The world has been promoting, marketing and propagating sinful behavior throughout the millenniums. It has promoted godless and satanic ideologies that are lies. These “adulteries” have caused a “corruption” on the earth that like a spreading virus having infected and ruined God’s originally perfect creation.
Two: “the blood of his servants”. To counterbalance the spreading corruption of sinful actions and ideas God has sent his servants to preach, teach and pray against it. Instead of repenting and turning to the truth, the world (Babylon) has spilled the blood of his servants. Either by murder, imprisonment or by shouting them down, the worldly people haven’t headed God’s efforts through his servants. The world and it’s people will therefore be held responsible for the guilt of silencing God’s servants and be condemned.

(D) Why is this topic so praise worthy?

God’s vindication over the world is something that has been long in the making. God sacrificed a lot of resources in hopes of people coming to repentance. He revealed his great patience and character that is slow to wrath. However, by this judgement and condemnation he revealed his Salvation, glory and power. For these things we can praise him now and in the future.

Look at verses 3 and 4.

3 And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!”

(A) What reason did the “great multitude in heaven” give for their second “Hallelujah!” (3)?

“The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

(B) Why might this reason have made the twenty-four elders and four living creatures fall down and worship God?

The finality and enduring consequences of God’s judgement can’t be undone nor do they end. Many crimes like robbery, sexual violence and even sometimes murder, end in parole for the criminal. They are given back their freedoms with only some minor lasting penalties (e.g. in America felons can’t vote). Not so with God. When God’s righteous judgements come down they are for “ever and ever”—eternal.
The enduring quality of God’s judgements should bring us humbly to our knees in reverence like the twenty-four elders. God’s judgements are both awesome in their scope and holy in execution. Praise God!
Revelation 4:4-11 read,

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

For the wicked “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. The righteous, on the other hand, will sing high praise in the time of God’s wrath on the earth.

Look at verses 5-8.

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!” 6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

(A) What were the two reasons given for the third “Hallelujah”?

“For our Lord God Almighty reigns”
“For the wedding of the Lamb has come”

(B) Why is “For the Lord God Almighty reigns” such an important praise topic for God’s people?

Once the worldly powers and demonic forces are judged through the fall of Babylon, God’s reigning will be comprehensive and complete. With nothing left that to oppose Him, God’s light and life, love and truth will prosper among his people. This is a great praise topic.

This is the time of union with Christ. Up to this point, Jesus’ church was betrothed but not married and unioned with Christ. We want to be one with Christ and this event, the wedding of the Lamb will bring that about.

(D) What does it mean, “his bride has made herself ready”?

Every bride before her wedding day, “makes herself ready”. She does her best to look as beautiful as she possibly can for her wedding day. Typically this process starts anywhere from 1 year to 6 months ahead of time. Finding a dress that makes her look beautiful and attractive is her top priority. To enhance her beauty she join a jogging class or take up some other type of exercise regiment. Losing weight, having healthy skin and getting her makeup and hair perfect are all important pieces but the her wedding dress is the center piece that requires the most monetary investment.
Jesus’ bride, the church, should have the same perspective. We want the church to be prepared, made beautiful and ready. We want to be as beautiful to Christ as much as possible. Verse 8 shows us how we can do this!

(E) Based on verse 8, what can we learn about our life purpose here on earth, leading up to the “wedding of the Lamb”?

We have the chance to perform righteous acts that prepare us for the union with Christ. Right now we are betrothed but we haven’t been married to Christ. We are in the preparation period. God has prepared many opportunities in life to perform “righteous acts” in Christ (Eph 2:10). These “righteous acts”, performed by faith and in obedience to Christ will not be forgotten but will become “fine linen” for us to wear and be adorned with upon our union. Like a bride who seeks to make herself beautiful for her husband, let us thankfully take up our crosses and prepare ourselves for the wedding of the Lamb through “acts of righteousness”!

Look at verses 9-10.

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” 10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

(A) Why did the angel say, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” and “These are the true words of God.”?

The angel’s words, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” is a summary of all that John had seen and heard. It is obvious through all these revelations that indeed it is “blessed” to partake in the three-fold hallelujahs and we a part of the wedding supper of the Lamb.

(B) Why might John have accidentally tried to worship the angel showing him these things?

The message of all these things were so great and wonderful, so beautiful and glorious that John fell at the feet of the messenger (the angel). It is sometimes the case that we glorify the messenger rather than the one who sent the message.

The angel corrected this mistake immediately and reminiscent of John the Baptist, he pointed to Christ as the object of worship and praise.

(D) How can this passage guide our hearts and minds during this time of Thanksgiving?

We probably have a lot of thanks topics from 2014 but no thanks topics will compare to the greatest of all revealed through this passage.
The three fold Hallelujahs remind us of the glorious future we have with Jesus.
It reminds us that this world will come under God’s condemnation and the smoke will rise forever and ever.
God will reign and the bride of Christ will be presented to Jesus and perfect union be established.
Let us give thanks for the opportunities God has given us to prepare ourselves through “acts of righteousness” which will become our fine linen in that day.

One word: Hallelujah!