Alleluia – Revelation 19
‘And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:’ — Revelation 19:1
The entire book of Revelation builds up to Revelation 19 when Christ is revealed and returns to the earth. Revelation 1:1 beings with ‘The Revelation of Jesus Christ…’ and finally Christ is revealed on the earth in Revelation 19.
Not only does the entire book of Revelation look forward to Christ’s second so do the church of Christ, the nation of Israel, and really all of creation is waiting and enduring this period of rebellion. Romans 8 says, ‘the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.’
The coming of Christ is the fulfilment of so many promises including the first promise of a deliverer immediately after the first sin. God told Satan that one day the seed of the woman would bruise (crush) his head (Genesis 3:15).
Jesus Christ is coming to crush the head of Satan and all those who rebel with Him. In Revelation 19, we see Christ taking the beast and the false prophet and casting them alive into a lake of fire. We also see Him destroying all those who follow them with the sword of His mouth.
That is why four times at the start of this chapter we find the world ‘Alleluia’.
- A great multitude of people in heaven says Alleluia (v.1-2). These seem to be the saints who died during the tribulation at the hands of the false religion and world system. Once again they say Alleluia (v.3).
- The four and twenty elders and the four beasts fall down and worship God and say Amen; Alleluia (v.4). The four and twenty elders are there in heaven before the tribulation (Rev 4) and seem to represent the church. They are a distinct group from the Tribulation saints.
- Finally, there is a voice of prophecy that says Alleluia looking forward to the wedding of the Lamb (v.5-10).
The return of Christ which fulfils so many prophecies, which vindicates the righteous and punishes the wicked is certainly something for which we should praise the Lord. The Lord is worthy of praise and honour and glory (v.1).
Wherever you find yourself and whatever you are going through, you can rest in the reality that Christ is coming. He will rule and reign. He will punish and reward. He will prevail. Let us praise Him. Let us trust Him. Let us find hope in Him.