January 29 - Doxology (pt. 5)

January 29 - Doxology (pt. 5)

Revelation 19:1-8 - The Seventh Doxology

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." And again they shouted:"Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!"

Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

The fall of Babylon occurred in Chapter 18 and the sound of the multitude singing praise is like a roar. God has just judged the prostitute and they are simply shouting his praises. They are shouting a song of praise for His judgment, but that changes when we get to verse six. Then, He will no longer be praised as the God of judgment, but he is about to preside over a wedding ceremony.

In verse seven we read the words "Let us rejoice and be glad." These words are used only one other time in Matthew 5:12 when Jesus proclaims that we should rejoice and be glad ... because great is our reward in heaven. (I love it when God does stuff like that)

The imagery of a marriage between God and His chosen people is found in the Old Testament. The prophecy in Hosea 2:19-20 begins the first part of the marriage rite - the betrothal. This part of the marriage was as important to a couple as was the wedding ceremony itself. Though they were not together, they pledged their faithfulness to each other.

God's part of the betrothal is "I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness."

The response to this is simply, 'You will acknowledge the Lord."

The church was betrothed to Christ and in Revelation 19:7 the wedding - or the second part of the marriage rite is about to proceed. The Lamb has come and the bride has made herself ready.

Are you ready? Sing Praise!