Return of Jesus Christ

• 1^st – Heaven Celebrates… vs. 1-6
  • 1^st – Hallelujah… vs. 1
    • After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven – saying Alleluia!
      • After [Μετὰ ταῦτα] the FALL of BABYLON – the one world ECONOMY…
      • John HEARD a LOUD [μέγας] sound – coming from a LARGE crowd in heaven…
      • ALLELUIA [ἁλληλουϊά] – 4x in NT – all of them in the in Revelation 19
      • Hallelujah [יְהַלֶּל־יָֽהּ] – to intensely [piel] PRAISE [הָלַל] the LORD [יָֽהּ] – an abbreviation for [יְהוָה]
      • It is interesting that God would choose to put a HEBREW word here…
      • That a GREAT multitude uses the word – does give us a HINT about Heaven…
      • It would appear that the language we will speak when we get there – will be HEBREW!
    • Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
      • They PRAISE God – because of what BELONGS to our Lord [κύριος]
      • SALVATION – a word that in the HEBREW would be Yashua [יְשׁוּעָה] – Jesus…
      • Therefore – Jesus deserves all of the GLORY – all of the HONOR…
      • Because ONLY Jesus has the POWER [δύναμις] to SAVE us from our SINS!
      • The road to DESTRUCTION is broad – NARROW is the way to eternal life – Matthew 7:13-14
      • There is only ONE hope to escape the WRATH of God – only ONE way to get to heaven!
  • 2^nd – Judgment of God… vs. 2-3
    • The Judge….
      • For true and righteous are His judgments!
      • Jesus also deserved to be PRAISE – because He is the one who will JUDGE the world!
        
      • People like the image of a LOVING Jesus – a God with a big smile on His face…
      • But Jesus represents the TRUTH – and what is RIGHT…
      • And He will be the one to JUDGE the world for rejecting the TRUTH – doing what is WRONG! 
      • II Timothy 4:1 – “Christ Jesus… will someday judge the living and the dead!”
    • Great Harlot…
      • [Jesus] has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication.
      • And He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.
      • Again they said – Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!
      • Jesus will JUDGE the one world RELIGION – the Great Harlot – Revelation 17:1
      • Who CORRUPTED [imperfect] the earth with her love of MONEY [religion of materialism]
      • A RELIGION that puts to death [blood] all who do not take the MARK – Revelation 20:4
      • Therefore – when the RELIGION falls – when the MONEY fails…
      • SECOND [δεύτερος] time heaven will say – ALLELUIA – because the LIE has been EXPOSED…
      • And anyone who believed the LIE – Religion of Money – will end up in HELL [smoke] forever!
      • People who live for MONEY are very short sighted…
      • They are only looking at TODAY – and not thinking about ETERNITY…
      • It does not matter how much wealth we have – it we end up missing out on HEAVEN!
      • Mark 8:36 – “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world – and loses his own soul.”
  • 3^rd – Everyone agrees… vs. 4-6
    • The Elders…
      • The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down. 
      • And worshiped God who sat on the throne – saying – Amen! Alleluia!
      • At this point ALL of heaven join in on the WORSHIP…
      • WORSHIP [προσκυνέω] – 60x in NT – almost half of them in Revelation [27x]
      • FIRST – The 24 ELDERS – and the FOUR angels [Cherubim] – fall down and WORSHIP…
      • They cry out this is the TRUTH [Amen] – we should praise the Lord [Alleluia]!
    • The Spirit…
      • Then a voice came from the throne – saying – Praise our God.
      • All you His servants and those who fear Him – both small and great!
      • SECOND – a voice also came from the THRONE of God…
      • Perhaps the VOICE of the Holy Spirit – who brings GLORY to Jesus – John 16:14
      • Commanding [imperative] all – both small and great – to PRAISE God!
    • Jesus Christ…
      • I heard – as it were – the voice of a great multitude.
      • As the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings – saying:
      • Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
      • THIRD – John heard a that VOICE was REALLY loud [like a huge crowd]
      • It sounded like MANY waters – boomed like THUNDER…
      • This is the same description given of Jesus [God] – Revelation 1:15 – Psalm 29:3
      • Jesus cries out the same thing – ALLELUIA – we should PRAISE God…
      • Because He is the ALMIGHTY [παντοκράτωρ] – and He RULES over all!
      • If we knew who would win a basketball game – we would root for the WINNER…
      • No one wants to pick the LOSING team – we want to WIN!
      • The ELDERS [tribes and apostles] – ANGELS – SPIRIT – and JESUS – all agree…
      • Everyone is called to WORSHIP the Lord – because in the end He WINS…
      • If we want to make sure we are on the right side of HISTORY…
      • We should join in and sing – ALLELUIA – the Lord REIGNS!

• 2^nd – Marriage of the Lamb… vs. 7-10
  • 1^st – The Bride… vs. 7-8
    • Engagement…
      • John hears Jesus give a SECOND reason why we should PRAISE – the MARRIAGE of the LAMB…
      • MARRIAGE [γάμος] 16x in NT – 8x in the Parable of wedding feast…
      • Where the MASTER put out the invitation for ANYONE to come to the WEDDING!
      • Matthew 22:9 – “Go into the highways – and as many as you find – invite to the wedding!”
      • In Jewish CUSTOM – the man initiates the BETROTHAL – proposes to His future wife…
      • He negotiates to determine the price He must pay for His bride…
      • And He will give a guarantee [a promise] that He will marry His bride!
      • Jesus left heaven [His home] – to come to earth [our home] – to propose…
      • The price He had to pay for His Bride was the CROSS – He gave everything…
      • Anyone is welcomes to accept His invitation – Romans 10:13
      • He then gives us the Holy Spirit – His GUARANTEE He will finish what He started!
• Ephesians 1:13-14 – “The Holy Spirit of promise who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.”
  • Waiting…
    • Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory – for the marriage of the Lamb has come!
    • Let [subjunctive] us be GLAD and REJOICE – because of the MARRIAGE…
    • Why would we NOT rejoice – because the MARRIAGE has not happened yet!
    • In Jewish CUSTOM – once the GROOM had proposed…
    • He would go back to His FATHER – and prepare a place for His new bride…
    • After Jesus told the disciples the COST of the MARRIAGE – Last Supper – Luke 22:20
    • He told the disciples He was going away – to prepare a PLACE for them!
    • John 14:2-3 – “In My Fathers house are many mansions… If I go and prepare a place for you – I will come again and receive you to Myself – that where I am – there you may be also.”
    • I think the LONGEST months of my life – was between my engagement and my marriage…
    • Saying YES – is the easy part – WAITING for Jesus to return is HARD…
    • Being PATIENT for Jesus to return and the WEDDING to take place!
  • Ceremony…
    • His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen.
    • Clean and bright – for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints!
    • In Jewish CUSTOM – the final step is for the BRIDE to be ready…
    • She does NOT know when her GROOM will come to get her…
    • But when she least expect – He will arrive with a TRUMPET blast – I Thessalonians 4:16
    • The WIFE need to be READY [active] – by putting on the RIGHT dress…
    • The BRIDE is given [passive] a WHITE dress – PURE and BRIGHT…
    • Her WHITE dress – is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Jesus Christ – Revelation 7:14
    • This is where we get our tradition of the BRIDE wearing a WHITE wedding dress…
    • And also why the groom sneaks in the side – waiting for the BRIDE to come down the aisle…
    • Weddings are meant to be a PICTURE of Jesus and the Church – Ephesians 5:32
  • 2^nd – Be Ready… vs. 9
    • Blessed…
      • Then he said to me. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!
      • And he said to me – These are the true sayings of God!
      • Jesus told John to WRITE this down – BLESSED are those who are CALLED [passive]
      • It is the TRUTH – it is a BLESSING to make it into the MARRIAGE supper!
      • Matthew 24:44 – “Be ready – the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
      • When Jesus gave the parable of the TEN virgins…
      • We are told FIVE were wise – and kept their LAMPS burning [extra oil]
      • But when the Lord did not come quickly – FIVE ran out of oil and had to leave to get more!
      • Matthew 25:10 – “While they went to buy – the bridegroom came – and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding – and the door was shut!”
      • Jesus is coming – the ONLY question is are we READY for His return…
      • The BLESSING is not saying YES to the WEDDING – it is getting into the WEDDING…
      • And the only way to get in – is to be CLOTHED in WHITE [righteousness of Jesus]
      • Keeping our LIGHTS burning [oil of the Spirit] – patiently waiting for our LORD! 
    • Timing…
      • In Jewish CUSTOM – the WEDDING ceremony last for SEVEN days…
      • At the end of the SEVEN days – the BRIDE would be introduced to the WORLD!
      • There is a LOT of debate on WHEN this marriage takes place…
      • Some say it takes place at the END of the Tribulation – during the Millennial Kingdom…
      • I personally believe it will be DURING seven years of TRIBULATION…
      • While the world is falling apart – we will be in heaven CELEBRATING with Jesus…
      • And at the end of the SEVEN years – Jesus will present His BRIDE to the WORLD!
  • 3^rd – Worship God… vs. 10
    • I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me – See that you do not do that! 
    • I am your fellow servant – and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. 
    • Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy!
    • When John saw and heard all of this he was OVERWHELMED…
    • He fell down and WORSHIPED the ANGEL who was showing Him these things – Revelation 17:1
    • But immediately the ANGEL told him NOT [imperative] to do that…
    • He was no different than John – he was also just a SERVANT [δουλος]
    • Instead – WORSHIP [imperative] God – because Jesus has the SPIRIT of prophecy!
    • In other words ALL prophecy is about Jesus – the whole BIBLE is about Jesus…
    • We study the book of Revelation – we study our Bible – to learn about Jesus…
    • Because only through Jesus – KNOWING Him – can we have Eternal Life!
    • John 5:39 – “Search the Scriptures – for in them you think you have eternal life – and these are they which testify of Me.”

• 3^rd – Second Coming… vs. 11-16
  • 1^st – His Transportation… vs. 11
    • Now I saw heaven opened – and behold – a white horse. 
    • He who sat on him was called Faithful and True – and in righteousness He judges and makes war!
    • Then – John saw HEAVEN open [passive] – and Jesus came out on a white HORSE…
    • The one who is FAITHFUL and TRUE – the righteous JUDGE – will come to make WAR!
    • When Jesus came the FIRST time – He came on a DONKEY – Zechariah 12:9
    • A king would never come to conquer riding on a DONKEY – it was a sign of PEACE…
    • But when Jesus comes the SECOND time – He will NOT be riding a DONKEY…
    • He returns on a white HORSE – He comes to CONQUER a wicked world!
  • 2^nd – His Description… vs. 12-13
    • His Eyes… vs. 12
      • His eyes were like a flame of fire!
      • Jesus eyes will be LIKE a flame – Revelation 1:14
      • A picture of an ANGRY God – ready to come and JUDGE a rebellious world!

• His Crowns… vs. 12
  • On His head were many crowns!
  • He has MANY crowns [διάδημα] – speaking of His ROYALTY…
  • Not the same as crown [στέφανος] – which speak of something EARNED…
  • Jesus does not REIGN because He has earned the right to be King…
  • He will RULE because of who He is – the God who created all THINGS – Colossians 1:16
• His Name… vs. 12-13
  • He had a name written that no one knew except Himself – His name is called The Word of God!
  • He has NAMES [alternative manuscript] written – that no one knew but Him…
  • This seems to fit the context better as we DO know His name – it is the Word – John 1:1
  • Presumably the NAMES he carried – are the names of those who are SAVED…
  • Jesus knows who will be JUDGED – and those who belong to Him – I Timothy 2:9
• His clothing… vs. 13
  • But His clothes are dipped in BLOOD!
  • His WHITE clothing – is stained RED with blood…
  • Because when Jesus comes – it will mark the end of the reign of the Antichrist…
  • His clothing will be spattered with the BLOOD of those who killed His saints!
  • Isaiah 63:2-3 – “Why is Your apparel red – and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress… I have trodden them in My anger – and trampled them in My fury. Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments – and I have stained all My robes!”

• 3^rd – His Church… vs. 14
  • The armies in heaven – clothed in fine linen white and clean – followed Him on white horses!
  • Jesus will NOT come alone – He will bring an ARMY with Him…
  • Not an army of ANGELS – He will bring with Him an innumerable number of SAINTS…
  • Those who have been CLEANED – who wear pure WHITE – Revelation 7:14 
  • Jude 1:14 – “Behold – the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints [ἅγιος].”
  • Including ALL of the SAINTS from the OLD testament…
  • ALL the SAINTS who have died in the Church age – and are with the Lord – II Corinthians 5:8
  • As well as everyone who was RAPTURED before the TRIBULATION – I Thessalonians 4:17
  • We will all ride out together – on our own WHITE horses – alongside of Jesus!
• 4^th – His Reign… vs. 15-16
  • His Sword…
    • Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword – that with it He should strike the nations!
    • And when Jesus returns – He first goes to BOZRAH [Jordan] – Isaiah 63:1
    • The city of PETRA [Greek] – also called in the Hebrew SELA [סֶלַע]
    • Then Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives – Acts 1:11
    • The mountain will split in two – giving life to the Dead Sea – Zachariah 14:4
    • He with then head to the Valley of Megiddo – to face the Armies of the Antichrist…
    • With one word – the SWORD of His mouth will strike the nations – II Thessalonians 2:8
  • His Rod…
    • He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.
    • Then Jesus will PASTOR [ποιμαίνω] all the NATIONS [ἔθνος] – Revelation 12:5
    • He will SHEPHERD them with a ROD of IRON [unbreakable]
    • A WOOD rod can be broken – an IRON rod us unbreakable – His Kingdom will NEVER end!
    • Psalm 2:6-9 – “I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion… break them with a rod of iron.”
  • His Wrath…
    • He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God!
    • We were told an ANGEL gathers the NATIONS [vines] of the earth – Revelation 14:19-20
    • Where they will be TRAMPLED outside the city [of Jerusalem]
    • Their BLOOD come up to the horses bridle – about TWO meters…
    • And fill a space of over THREE hundred kilometers long [Megiddo Valley]
    • Jesus will be the one who does the STOMPING – the WRATH of the ALMIGHTY God!
  • His Title…
    • He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!
    • If someone is a DOCTOR – or an ENGINEER – or a LAWYER
    • Their TITLES are given to them to establish AUTHORITY – denote POSITION!
    • The TITLE of Jesus is written [passive] on His ROBE – and on His THIGH…
    • He is the KING [nominative] who OWNS all other kings [genitive]
    • He is the LORD [nominative] who OWNS all other lords [genitive]
    • There is no question – there can be no doubt – Jesus is the one in CONTROL!
    • We live in a CRAZY world – and things are not going to get better…
    • We are spiraling towards the rise of the Antichrist [though the rapture happens first]
    • But it is good to KNOW – that in the END – Jesus WINS!

But that is the story for next week – today it is enough to say – Jesus WINS!

4^th – Fall of Antichrist… vs. 17-21

1^st – Second Feast… vs. 17-18

The Bright Angel… vs. 17

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun – and he cried with a loud voice.

Saying to the birds in the midst of heaven: Gather together for the supper of the great God.

The SUN is bright – it puts out 127,000 lumens of light…

To put that into perspective – the typical flashlight is only about 100 lumens!

If an ANGEL can be seen standing on the SUN – he is BRIGHTER than the sun…

And he cries out with a LOUD [μέγας] voice to ALL [πᾶς] the BIRDS on earth…

They must [imperative] come to the SUPPER of the GREAT [μέγας] God!

The Supper… vs. 18

That you may eat the flesh of kings – the flesh of captains – the flesh of mighty men.

The flesh of horses and of those who sit on them.

And the flesh of all people – free and slave – both small and great!

The BIRDS will eat the flesh of men – from KINGS and CAPTAINS…

They will eat the flesh of ALL men – both small and great…

Speaking of the SLAUGHTER of the armies of the Antichrist – when they face Jesus Christ!

Everyone is going to attend a FEAST of the LORD – the question is which feast…

Those who put their faith in Jesus – will attend the WEDDING feast…

Those who reject Jesus – will end up being eaten at the GREAT feast…

It should make the choice simple – CHOSE Jesus – II Corinthians 6:2

2^nd – Armageddon… vs. 19-21

The battle…

I saw the beast – the kings of the earth – and their armies gathered together.

To make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army!

John saw the KINGS of the earth – gathered [passive] by the Antichrist – Revelation 16:14

To go to WAR with Jesus [on His horse] – and with the SAINTS [His army]

It will NOT be much of a BATTLE – just ONE word and it is over!

Lake of Fire…

The beast was captured – and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence.

He deceived those who received the mark of the beast – those who worshiped his image.

These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone!

The Antichrist and Prophet will be captured ALIVE…

Because they deceived the world – ALL who took the MARK of the beast – Revelation 13:16

As punishment – they will be cast ALIVE into the LAKE of FIRE!

Popular culture depicts satan as being the ruler in HELL…

But it was created as the eternal PRISON for SATAN and the fallen angels – Matthew 25:41

And he will be the SECOND resident there [good riddance] – Revelation 20:10

Sadly – they will NOT be the ONLY residents in the BRIMSTONE [450°C]

So also will everyone whose names are NOT in the book of LIFE – Revelation 20:15

Final Judgement…

The rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth…

And all the birds were filled with their flesh!

30 days after the Return of Jesus – 1290 days after the Abomination – Daniel 12:11

Jesus will judge the NATIONS – those who survived the Tribulation – Matthew 25:31-46

Anyone who has taken the MARK of the BEAST – will be executed – Revelation 14:9-10

Then Jesus will establish His THOUSANDS year [millennial] kingdom…

And we – the CHURCH – will rule and reign with Him – I Corinthians 6:2-3