The Marriage of the Lamb and Armageddon

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We’ve walked through the dark days of the Tribulation, but now the somber gives way to song. In Revelation 19, we turn the page from the ominous days of judgment to the bright days of blessing. We walk with John in his vision to the greatest events for this earth—the second coming of Christ to establish His Kingdom on earth. This is the bridge between the Great Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom.

Four hallelujahs open this chapter, and the opening of hell closes it. John records he heard a great voice, like a mass choir in heaven saying, “Hallelujah! The salvation and glory and power are God’s—His judgments true, His judgments just.”

In the worship scenes of Revelation 5 and 7, we saw the elders, the church, and the uncounted numbers of angels and created intelligences all worshiping God. Now Tribulation saints join the song. This is the first time they have been able to utter the great Old Testament word of victory—Hallelujah! (This is the only time the word is used in the New Testament.) The 24 elders also lay down their crowns and sing the “Hallelujah chorus.”

This wedding in heaven will include us—the body of believers from Pentecost to the Rapture, now presented to Christ as a bride for a marriage. As a bride, we will reveal the Groom’s glory. We’ll be on display—sinners saved from hell, now in heaven with absolutely no right to be there except that we belong to Him and claim His righteousness as our own. No other creatures will enjoy such sweetness.

After the marriage of the Lamb in heaven, the next great event is Jesus Christ’s magnificent return to the earth, with His bride with Him. The marriage supper will take place on earth and ushers in the Millennium. Both Israelites and Gentiles who enter the Millennium are the invited guests.

When you read the Word of God you become conscious of Jesus Christ’s plan and program for this earth that He follows very carefully. His return to the earth is the climax of all that has happened in Revelation and is the first of seven final things John saw and recorded: Jesus’ return, Satan’s capture, Satan’s binding, the Millennium, Satan’s final end, the last judgment, and the new heavens and earth, including the New Jerusalem.

In Revelation 19, the gates of heaven open and Jesus Christ the Lord comes out, seated high on a white horse of warfare. Behind Him follow the armies of heaven, all on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen. Jesus’ eyes are a blaze of fire. He is the judge of a sinful world and on His head is the crown of the sole ruler of the earth. On His robe, dipped in blood, and on His thigh is written, “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Everyone trembles at the sight of Him. If today you’ve wondered why God doesn’t deal with the evil in the world, look to this day yet future.

The armies of Heaven, legions of angels who do His bidding, follow Him, all mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen.

Jesus also has a name that no one knows but Himself. What is the name? We will discover it in eternity and it will take that long to really know Him. This is eternal life, to know the one, true God. And the more we know Him, the more exciting He will be. He is what makes heaven—heaven.

Now on earth, an angel stands in the sun and announces the final battle of Armageddon. There on the plain in central Israel stand the Antichrist and the False Prophet and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered to war against Jesus. They defy God right up to the very last.

The puny armies look up in shock and awe at Jesus Christ coming from the sky and with Him are His angel armies on white horses and dressed in fine white linen to witness His victory.

The outcome is inevitable. There’s not even a battle. Jesus first casts the Antichrist and the False Prophet into the lake of fire. The rest of the armies are killed by the sword out from Jesus’ mouth and birds feasted on their flesh.

The sword which came out of Jesus’ mouth is the Word of God. Sharper and quicker and more powerful than a two-edged sword, His Word spoke the universe into existence and His words completely vanquish His foes. This is also the Word of God which will save you, if you will only believe Him.

Next: God’s answer to the Lord’s prayer.

1. The song sung by the choir in Revelation 19 is wonderful for many reasons, but specifically because it proclaims the truth about God. What songs can you sing, in a crowd or by yourself, that proclaim the truth of who God is?

2. What is the significance of the 24 elders laying down their crowns? What does John intend for us to see by including this in the book of Revelation?

3. The image of Jesus astride a white horse, His robe dipped in blood, with eyes of fire, fits with the way John described Him at the beginning of Revelation. How does it fit with the way you picture Jesus in your mind? How does your image and conception of Jesus need to change to fit the Jesus of Revelation?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teaching onRevelation 19:11-21,Revelation 19:2-11andRevelation 19:1.