Bible Pathways - Dec. 30, 2008

Revelation 19

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Count them — four Alleluias in Heaven (19:1-6) and then the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:7-10). Heaven opens and Christ comes with an army! Count His Names in vss 19:11-16. I count 7! His enemies doomed (19:17-21). Satan's eternal destiny (20:1-10). God is in control (20:11-15).

The Battle of Armageddon is usually the attention-grabber in chapter 19, but the first part of the chapter is devoted to the the Lamb, His Bride, and a great multitude that is saying: Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are His judgments: for He hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of His servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia (19:1-3). Alleluia is taken from the Hebrew and is made up of two words, Hallel meaning "praise," and jah meaning "the Lord." A voice from the throne exhorts: Praise our God, all ye His servants. . . . Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the House of the Lord (19:5; Psa. 134:1).

The worldly minded use the term "good luck"; or, when something disappointing happens, they say: "Oh, that's too bad." But Christians need to become more accustomed to using heavenly language.

Recognizing the Lord in our daily circumstances will soon cause our whole life to take on a new dimension. We will experience a satisfaction which the worldly minded cannot comprehend. Saying "Praise the Lord!" is an acknowledgement that we are really satisfied with His arrangements.

I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He (the Lord Jesus Christ) that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war (Rev. 19:11). And I saw the beast (the Antichrist), and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (19:19-20). This is the final destination of Satan and all who reject Christ as Savior and Lord.

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent (All-Powerful) reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready (Rev. 19:6-7).

Thought for Today:

Aren't you glad that your eternal destiny isn't controlled by the world's circumstances? We can join with the saints of all the ages and say: "Praise the Lord!"

Cross References:

For Rev. 19:2: See Ps. 19:9; Deut. 32:43; II Kin. 9:7. Rev. 19:5: See Ps. 115:13. Rev. 19:11: See Ps. 96:13. Rev. 19:16: See Deut. 10:17. Rev. 19:18: See Ezek. 39:4. Rev. 20:2-3: See Is. 24:22. Rev. 20:8: See Ezek. 38:2,15. Rev. 20:12: See Dan. 7:10.

Word Studies:

19:6 Omnipotent =b> All-Powerful; 19:13 vesture =b> robe; 20:9 compassed =b> surrounded.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Bible Pathway Accountant: Joe Sarsfield • Government Officials: Rep. Marty Meehan (MA) and Rep. Heather Wilson (NM) • Country: Syria (17 million) in southwestern Asia • Major languages: Arabic and Kurdish • Limited religious freedom for Christians • 90% Muslim; 4% Eastern Orthodox; 2% Roman Catholic; .25% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Diligently seek the guidance of the Lord (Prov. 8:17).

Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 8:28