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Letters of Truth - Spirit of the Word - Covenant Eschatology - Introductory Note - New Stuff
REVELATION - A Positive Book
Chapter 18 - "Let The Hallelujahs Ring!"
(Revelation 19:1-21)"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the I Lord our God." (Revelation 19:1).
Here is worship flowing out to magnify the Lord-- all praise to Jehovah! Salvation is of the Lord. All the splendor and majesty belongs to Him. He has the ability to bring to the full the redemption and restoration of all mankind. "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:3). And the specific reason for this outburst of praise and worship? "Because true and righteous are His judgments;..."
There was an occasion when Jesus "beheld the city, and wept over it, " (Luke 9:41 ), because the people knew not the day of their visitation, nor the things which would have been toward their peace. Full well He knew the calamities that were coming, even God's judgments to correct, thus a time of sorrow and woe. And so, as "Son of man" He wept, for He was "touched with the
feeling of our infirmities (weaknesses)." (Hebrews 4:15) Yet obviously He had no will nor desire to prevent the severity of the measures that He knew were on the horizon. He knew that the corrective measures were essential. Indeed, this commitment to the Divine Will is to be found in every child of God, A WILL THAT REQUIRES HOLINESS as the foundation for future blessing. Thus, when we read of God's judgments upon Babylon, we find that the elders, the mystic living creatures, and the vast company of the redeemed, all cry out, "Amen; Alleluia-- praise our God-- for the Lord God omnipotent reigns." There is no desire to prevent these corrective judgments of God, because, knowing they are WROUGHT BY HIS LOVE, they will result in a restoration of peace and victory, bringing creation into the fulness of His life.
Difficult as it is betimes in our relationships with others, .family, friend and acquaintance, to see the HAND OF JUDGMENT, and so we also "weep with those that weep:" yet we would not stay His hand, because we know that this also is ultimately destined for their good. And the Psalmist was able to say, "At midnight (in the darkest hour) I will rise to give thanks unto You because of Your righteous judgments." (Psalm 119:62).
How clear are the statements of Jesus:
"For judgment I am come into this world." (John 9:39).
"I am come that they might have life..." (John 10:10).
These are not contradictory statements, nor mutually exclusive of each other, but vitally connected in the outworking of the process. The ultimate is to bring us INTO LIFE, and as a means to that end we have the various judgments of God-- those correctional processes which bring us into His righteousness.
Another point of clarification needs to be made: when judgment is upon people, it is to CORRECT THEM, but when judgment is upon the systems of the world, it usually is TO END THEM. Babylon is not to be healed, but annihilated, wiped out completely. For it is written, "The world passes away, and the lust thereof." (1 John 2:17). But, "He is the Saviour of ALL MEN; specially of those that believe." (1 Timothy 4:10). When the nations of the world are judged, it means the end of that governmental order, and then the process of cleansing and saving the people of that nation, though the severity of it be "by fire."
"Alleluia!" Why? Because of His judgments! And specifically "because He has judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth: with her fornications." Oh, the worship that shall arise when God brings to an end all of the religions of man, consuming every idol. dissipating the cover of darkness upon men, eradicating every error and false doctrine, that the glorious light of the Gospel might fill the whole earth, as it is written: "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." (Matthew 4:16).
"The Lord will be terrible (to be feared, reverenced) unto them: for He will famish all the gods of the earth; and every man shall worship Him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the-- heathen." (Zephaniah 2:11). The judgment is against all the false gods which religious systems have promoted. And when men are loosed from all their superstitious fear and subservience to these falsities, and the glorious light of truth shines upon them, they will "worship Him, every one from his place." Every creature shall become a true worshipper. No wonder they cry out, "Alleluia!"
It was said of Babylon, "In her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." (Revelation 18:24). But now, with His judgments upon her, He has "avenged the blood of His servants at her hand." How the earth has waited for this, with the promise given so long ago: "Rejoice, O nations, with His people: for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will render vengeance to His adversaries, and will be merciful unto His land, and to His people." (Deuteronomy 32:43).
What blood has been shed!. Literally religious Babylon had its holy wars, crusades, etc. And Jesus foretold that the day would come when God would require it of them-- "That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth. " (Matthew 23:35). And figuratively factions have slain their multitudes also. The mayhem of "church business meetings," and the splits, divisions, sects, heresies, all in the name of "religion" have brought deep sorrow to many. Yet God has decreed the day of avenging-- when HE will clean up and straighten up, and bring all things back into due order-- in subjection to His will and purpose.
Likewise, political Babylon has waged its own warfare, both literally and figuratively-- nation rising against nation, and the blood of our young men have stained many a battlefield. Over and over again, it can be said, "The voice of your brother's blood cries unto Me from the ground." (Genesis 4:10).
Even in the realms of economical Babylon, with all its taxation, etc. there has been both the literal and figurative blood-letting. And James asks, "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war; yet you have not..." (James 4:1-2). How Babylon has preyed upon this propensity in man, and in doing so has caused the shedding of innocent blood. But the very spirit that motivates this warfare shall be judged and dealt with, and therefore we say "Alleluia!"
"And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all you servants, and you that fear Him, both small and great. 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 thunder, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns." Wave after wave of praise and worship ascend to our God. Because of His judgments, Alleluia! And because He has judged the great whore, Alleluia! And now, "because the Lord God omnipotent reigns," say it again, Alleluia!
Babylon thought she would reign for ever, saying, "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." (Rev- elation 18:7). But she is dethroned and brought low, fallen, to rise no more.
And we read that "death passed upon all men, for that all. have sinned. (Thus) death reigned." (Romans 5:12, 14). But now Jesus Christ, one with the Father in His throne, REIGNS-- putting "all enemies under His feet." Far above all principality and power, He reigns supreme. If ever we fully comprehend that "the Lord God omnipotent reigns," we shall join the ranks of those who worship Him, until the sound there of is as many waters, and as the rumbling of mighty thunder. Let the hallelujahs ring, for He alone is God! All other kingdoms are subdued before Him!
But there is more cause for rejoicing-- "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready."
Once before God took to Himself a bride, when Israel was brought out of Egypt, and in due time came to Mount Sinai, and there she TOOK HER VOWS.
God said: "If you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people..." (Exodus 19:5).
Israel said: "All the people answered together and said, All that the Lord has spoken will we do." (Exodus 19:8).
But the marriage did not go very well, because Israel was a very unfaithful wife, untrue to her vows. So God had to take action, "For all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had her put away, and gave her a bill of divorce." (Jeremiah 3:8). Full well God knows the pain of divorce!
Now the law given unto Israel was thus, "Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled..." (Deuteronomy 24:4).
However, Paul writes, "If her husband be dead, she is free from that law;..." (Romans 7:3), free to be married again.
Jehovah, the Husband, IN CHRIST died. "To wit, that God was in Christ..." (2 Corinthians 5:19). This cancels out the previous marriage arrangement, and now there can be a wooing, a preparation for anew marriage-- on a much higher level, "that you should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:4).
Even when God put His wife, Israel. away, He knew the time would come when He would be joined to her again. "Therefore I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor (trouble) for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the days when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be at that day, says the Lord, that you shall call Me ISHI (that is, my Husband). -And I will betroth you unto Me for ever; yea, I will betroth you unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth you unto Me in faithfulness: and you shall know the Lord." (Hosea 2:14-16,19-20).
What a working of redemptive love! I will betroth you-- that is, I am engaged to you with the promise of a full marriage. And what an inworking during that espousal time. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." There must be true holiness, and this requires a total cleansing, therefore we note, "I will betroth you unto Me IN JUDGMENT." If we can shout "Alleluia" because of judgment upon the great whore, how much more can we let the hallelujahs ring when it is judgment upon the bride-to-be, for here the workings are totally positive, so that she might be fully purified and prepared for her new marriage. What mercy and loving kindness are in these purgings, for no more will she be clothed with her own self-righteousness, which is as filthy rags, but she will be clothed with HIS righteousness. HE has granted her to be arrayed in fine linen, He furnishes it all. And of her it can be said, "Who is she that looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" (Song of Solomon 6:10). Now she is ready for her Husband-- purified and ready for a true spiritual union!
"And He said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." When- ever the Lord extends to us His redeeming mercy, it is a marriage feast. And however "in part" it may be at present time, yet every taste of His goodness now is prophetic of the fulness to come: Truly, even in this day, it can be said, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies..." (Psalm 23:5).
What a blessed union is before us. "He that is JOINED unto the Lord is one spirit." (1 Corinthians 6:17). As He prayed, "I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one."
(John 17:23). Yes, "blessed are they which are called"-- into union with the Lamb.
"In those days, and in that time, says the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces toward it , saying, Come, and LET US JOIN OURSELVES TO THE LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten." (Jeremiah 50:4-5).
"Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make A NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers
in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 31:31-32).
What a marvelous working of His grace-- though she broke her vows, broke the covenant He had with her, and it was needful for a time to put her away. Then He must make the ( supreme sacrifice to loose her from the old covenant, as He gave, His own life for her. Yet now, He is risen from the dead, and He shall draw her to Himself again, in a NEW COVENANT --after the Spirit, in holiness and truth, and it will be a union that shall last forever.
Now, His first union was with one nation, Israel, but this latter union is greatly expanded. "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the Lord. And MANY NATIONS SHALL BE JOINED TO THE LORD in that day, and shall be My people: and I will dwell in the midst of you." (Zechariah 2:10-11).
Again let us say "Alleluia!" Such tremendous victory! But there is more, for just as the bride is seen to be arrayed in fine linen, adorned for her Husband-- and is a CORPORATE BRIDE OF MANY NATIONS; now the "revelation of Jesus Christ" is increased. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He does judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire..." His is a PURIFYING GAZE! "The Lord turned, and looked upon Peter..." (Luke 22:61), and that was all that it took for Peter to go out and weep bitterly. Yet His look is not one of negativity and condemnation, but of such love and mercy-- that He conquers by love. His eyes are filled with understand- ing, and they minister compassion and life.
"And He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself." Paul wrote, "God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every other name." (Philippians 2:9). In the Greek text the definite article is used, making it "THE NAME." This title, "THE NAME," is a very common Hebrew title, denoting office, rank, dignity, as well as the honor and worship bestowed upon Him to whom this name was conferred. Thus, when it states that "God has given Him THE NAME," it does not reveal what that name is, but it alludes to the fact that here was the high title conferred upon Him, because of His glorious rank and office, and tremendous authority and power. So one could literally say, "God gave Him THE NAME." That title rests upon Him, HE has THE NAME, even though the revelation of that name is yet to be unfolded. So glorious is that NAME, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11).
"And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." There is a corporate body of overcomers with Him-- for just as the bride is a corporate body of nations, so also the GROOM is a corporate body of sons. "For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons many you: and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you." (Isaiah 62:5). There is a rightly "discerning the Lord's body," discerning that company of which HE IS THE HEAD. And in this ONENESS WITH HIM, there are positions and qualifications which denote a state of being in Him.
We are reminded, "He sent and signified" these things. Thus we must understand that all spoken relationships are allegorical. There are qualifications which belong to each position, or relationship, but the ultimate is total ONENESS IN CHRIST. So we see that the bride is arrayed in "fine linen, clean and white." And then we see that this company with Him on white horses, are "clothed in fine linen, white and clean." Certainly there are no less qualifications found in the Groom, as are found in the Bride.
Again the emphasis is given, He is "King of kings, and Lord of lords." And as observed in Revelation 17:14, "they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." They truly, "follow the Lamb, wherever He goes." With Him they make war against all unrighteousness. With Him they gain the victory over every beast nature, over every carnal mind, over every false doctrine and creed. HE REIGNS-- and these reign with Him. The outworking process of redemption is totally successful-- all evil shall be abolished, and His righteousness shall abide. Let the hallelujahs ring out, all praise and worship belongs to Him, HE IS LORD!Letters of Truth - Redemption--All In All - Spirit of the Word -
Preface
1. Revelation - A Positive Book (Revelation 1:1-6)
2. Coming With Clouds (Revelation 1:7)
3. Companions IN The Processing (Revelation 1:9-20)
4. Christ Revealed In Overcomes (Revelation 2:1-3:22)
5. Come Up For More Revelation (Revelation 4:1-11)
6. The Scroll Of Redemption (Revelation 5:1-14)
7. The Horses Are Riding--Within (Revelation 6:1-8)
8. The Other Seals Are Opened (Revelation 6:9 - 8:1)
9. Let The Trumpets Blow (Revelation 8:1 - 9:21)
10. Personal Participation, Eat The Book (Rev. 10:1-10)
11. Measure The Temple (Revelation 11:19)
12. A Manchild Company Brought Forth (Revelation 12:1-17)
13. The Mark--Of God, Or The Beast (Revelation 13:1-18)
14. With The Lamb (Revelation 14:1-20)
15. Seven Angels With Seven Plagues (Rev. 15:1 - 16:21)
16. Mystery--Babylon The Great (Revelation 17:1-18)
17. Come Out Of Her, My People (Revelation 18:1-24)
18. Let The Hallelujahs Ring (Revelation 19:1-21)
19. The Bottomless Pit (Revelation 20:14)
20. Partakers Of The Foremost Resurrection (Rev. 20:4-6)
21. After The Second Death Process (Revelation 20:6-15)
22. All Things New (Revelation 21:1-21)
23. The Lamb, And The Lambkin (Revelation 21:22-27)
24. The Curse Is Ended Forever (Revelation 22:1-19)
25. Even So, Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20-21)