He Shall Reign Forever: Daily Thoughts from Revelation (Revelation 19:6-21)

George Frideric Handel crafted a masterpiece, his Messiah, in 1742, based on a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the Coverdale Psalter, the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742 and premiered in London a year later. It has become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. Handel’s power to match the majesty of Messiah to music crescendos with the Hallelujah chorus, taken from our passage today.

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (Revelation 19:6-21 ESV)

The church is Jesus’ bride and he is readying himself for the wedding.  But the beast who is empowered by Satan has been trying to kill her.  So the bridegroom comes dressed to kill.  He comes riding on a white horse and his name is Faithful and True and he is out for blood.

The armies of heaven accompany him (and I presume that they include saints/believers who have already died and reside in heaven).  He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  The slaughter is incredible.  The beast and all his armies who have been marching on Jerusalem fresh from their victory over Babylon, intent on world domination, are crushed.  The beast and the false prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire.  The scavenger birds have the greatest feast of their lives.

Then Jesus joins with his holy ones, us, to sit down for the marriage supper as we are joined to him for eternity.  Blessed are those who partake of this marriage supper.  Blessed are we indeed.