Three Revelations of Who God Is

Three Revelations of Who God Is

TEXT: Revelation 19

Introduction

That I May Know Him

Philippians 3:10—That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

From behind the veil of the human condition, it is difficult to get a clear picture of God. We describe with limited vocabulary and understand him through limited experiences.

Man often weighs in one hand, what the Bible says about God and then in the other hand weighs what we have experienced in this life. This method of "getting to know God" is faulty at best and has resulted in multitudes of skewed impressions of Who God is and what He is like.

• Is He Angry?
• Is he Love?
• Is FULL of mercy?
• Does he hate me?
• Will he receive me?

It is not God's fault humanity does not truly KNOW Him. It is the fault of our limited perspective. It will not be until "by-and-by" that even the most faithful of God's people will see and understand Him in His fullness. But, until then, it is a journey of faith that brings us closer and closer to God.

Will I believe God is Who He says He is? Will I take Him at His Word? Will I pattern my life on the foundation of a faith that says, "God is True and Faithful?"

Today that faith is developed and tested, but one day it will be rewarded!

Blinded very young, hymn-writer Francis Jane Crosby (1820-1915) began writing poetry as young girl. At the age of eight she wrote these words:

Oh, what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't;
To weep and sigh because I am blind, I cannot, and I won't.

Once a well-intentioned Scottish minister remarked to her: "I think it is a great pity that the master, when He showed so many gifts upon you, did not give you sight." She responded, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition to my Creator, it would have been that I should be born blind?" "Why?" asked the surprised minister. "Because, when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior."

In her hymn "My Savior First of All", she wrote…

When my lifework is ended and I cross the swelling tide, When the bright and glorious morning I shall see; I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
I shall know Him, I shall know Him, And redeemed by His side I shall stand; I shall know Him, I shall know Him By the print of the nails in His hand.

2 Timothy 4:7-8—I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. [manifestation, (especially) the second coming of Christ]

The Preface of Revelation 19

Revelation 19:1mdash;And after these things…

We are at the end of the third and final division of the book of Revelation. In 19:1, "after these things" is the same phrase in 1:19 "things which shall be hereafter". In review, Revelation has three main divisions:

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

God is infinite and our understanding of him is constantly developing all the while He never changes. In Revelation chapter 19 we are given three different scenes that illuminate different aspects of God's nature. Herein are three revelations of Who God is:

## The Lord Our God Omnipotent who Reigns (vs. 1-6)

He Gave Us a Voice for Singing

I heard a great voice of much people in heaven

And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne

Revelation 19:4 is the last reference in the Bible to the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures (by those titles).

v.6 the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

He is the Words of the Song

…saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Alleluia/Hallelujah

The Hebrew word "halal" [STRONG's 01984] in relation to God means to be clear of sound or color or to shine. Therefore, it means to make a show, to boast or to celebrate. 'Halal' can be found in 140 verses in the O.T.

"Halal" [Hallelujah] is common in the Psalms where it is mostly translated "Praise Ye the LORD" (Psalm 105:45; 106:1; 106:48; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1; 146:1; 148:1; 149:1; 150:1).

Psalm 150:1—Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Interestingly, in the N.T., Alleluia/Hallelujah can only be found here in Revelation 19. The Greek word "allelouia" is imperative just as the Hebrew word "halal". Alleluia is a command to Praise the Lord (Jah)! It is an adoring exclamation—HALLELUJAH!

Salvation

Glory

Honour

Power

He is the Reason Why We Sing

His Judgments are True

2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication,

He Keeps His Promises

and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

He Reigns

saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

##The Bridegroom Who Will be Wed (vs. 7-10)

The Lamb will be Wed

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 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. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

## The Lion Who will Return in Judgment (vs. 11-21) > 11 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 doth judge and make war.

The Mystery of His Name

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

(to his enemies: you don't even know me! (contrast on the cross, the sign written over His head! Mt 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! Mt 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.)

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

An Invitation to another 'supper' is given: 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

##Conclusion

The Bridegroom Who Will be Wed (vs. 7-10)

Revelation 19:7-10

A Joyous Marriage and Marriage Supper

The Marriage Supper

Revelation 19:7—Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come,…

Now that the harlot has fallen, the faithful woman comes to her rightful honors. The bethrothed, now becomes a bride. The time of her marriage has come, and grand banquet that follows, will begin.

Revelation 19:9—And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

The Wedding

There is no question who the Bridegroom is, but who is the Bride?

Some say, that ALL who are born again make up the Bride. Let's consider Psalm 45 in light of this. Here is a brief outline of Psalm 45:8,9,14.

vs. 8 First, the King Comes Forth Out of the Ivory Palaces (Alone) vs. 9 Second, the King with the Queen vs. 14 Third, we see the virgins who are the companions, associates or bosom friends of the Queen

These virgins do not go with the Queen when she is taken, but they follow after her.

Psalm 45:14—She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee

We also see this truth in the parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25. Implied in this parable is that not all those who finally get to heaven are of that class which makes up the Bride.

To understand who the Bride is, we need to observe the different classes of persons given in the text.

1. The Voice of the one who says "Let us be glad", vs. 10
2. Those who are to rejoice with him ("us") vs. 9

These are considered blessed to a) witness the marriage and to b) participate in the banquet.

The Bride is not merely going to witness a marriage or eat a celebratory feast, but she is one of the two reasons for the grand day! She is the Bridegroom's heart's desire and the one He has chosen to unite with as one. (Amos 3:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14)

The Preparation of the Lamb's Wife

Revelation 19:7,8—…and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 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.

The Making of the Bride

How does this bride so capture the eye and heart of the groom? What has led her to this grand wedding day? Three things catch our notice in her preparation:

Her Self Activity - "made herself read"

The Bridegroom does not prepare her directly, but she will ready herself by applying what He has provided.

The Action of Bestowing of the Gifts of Grace- "to her was granted"

The Action of Faith and Obedience - "arrayed in fine linen"

The garments reveal the nature of preparation. The outstanding characteristics of her garments are: clean (free from impurity) and white (shining and brilliant). The fine lines she wears is the "righteous acts" or "equitable deeds" of the saints.

There is righteousness that is imputed by faith which is the free gift of God in Christ. There is also righteousness that is imparted which is the fruit or works of faith. Consider Philippians 3:8-14. In Psalm 45:13-14, her clothing is of wrought gold (divine righteousness) and her raiment is also of needlework (righteous acts or works of faith).

The Marks of the Bride

She Will have a Lamb's Nature

She Will be Meek and Lowly

Humble

Obedient

Overcomer

The Marriage of the Lamb

What is the marriage of the Lamb? John did not see it, but he did hear the heavens rejoicing!

We can assume a few things about this "wedding" based on the terms used. Any marriage being a union, the Bride will be united with the Bridegroom. Being with Him, she will reign with him and share with Him in all His glorious inheritance.

We are not told what the ceremony will hold. It is still a grand and glorious mystery!

John's Response

Revelation 19:10—And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The Lion Who Will Return in Judgment

Review:

Theme: Revelation 19:11-21

Revelation 19:11-21 is about the battle of the Great Day of the Lord. (Zephaniah 1:14; Revelation 16:14) This battle will be of great and yet righteous violence and vengeance.

Violence

Words of Battle: … white horse … judge and make war … vesture dipped in blood… armies … sharp sword, …smite … rule … rod of iron … treadeth … fierceness and wrath .. eat the flesh … make war…beast was taken, and with him the false prophet…These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone…slain with the sword

Vengeance

A search for "vengeance" in the Bible will result in at least 40 verses. And the context is almost always in reference to God taking vengeance on His enemies.

Read: Deut. 32:35; Psalm 94:1; Romans 12:19; Romans 3:5

Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Psalms 94:1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18)

The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury. —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

God alone is God. We are never to usurp the AUTHORITY of God -- vengeance for spiritual wrong belongs exclusively to God.

On 17 June, Michel Servetus was convicted of heresy, "thanks to the 17 letters sent by John Calvin (Calvin agreed that those whom the ruling religious authorities determined to be heretics should be punished:), and sentenced to be burned with his books. Historians record his last words as: "**Jesus, Son of the Eternal God, have mercy on me**."

Is God unrighteous in His vengeance? {"Do as I say and not as I do"?}

Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

Dictionary definition of Avenge: inflict hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands. (to carry out a grudge)

Even deeper than the sense of carrying out a "grudge" is the sense that Scripture gives to revenge. In the scripture, in reference to God, revenge/avenge/vengeance has at its root meaning PUNISHMENT. God is not petty, he is righteous. We see God in our text not passionately out of control because of a vandetta, but we see Christ in His Divine glory*.

The Lion is a Mighty Conqueror (vs 11-16)

Verse 11 He is Righteous and Glorious

Revelation 19:11—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 doth judge and make war.

• Heaven Opened
• All the Judgments of God are righteous

Verse 12 His Eyes, Crowns and Name

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

His Eyes were a Flame of Fire

Two things to consider: His omniscent perception and his omnipotent wrath.

On His Head Many Crowns

He is not just Judge and General, but He is also King. In 2 Samuel 12:30 when David defeated the Ammonites he put the crown of the vanquished king on his head. The Dragon has seven diadems as "possesor of the seven great world powers". (Rev. 12:3) The beast has ten crowns combining 10 soveriegn powers. (Rev. 13:1) The accumulation of crowns relates to the accumulation of victories and dominion.

He has an Unknowable Name

John saw that the name was written, but did not and could not record it as he was awed with its splendor making it too much for him to understand or know. (Matthew 11:27 the depth of God)

Verse 13 Reputation, Purpose and Position of Christ

His Reputation

…And he was clothed with a vesture.

His moral character or reputation is seen. He is not naked. He and all those in Heavenly places are clothed. Those who serve the devil are naked. (Mark 5:15 "legion"; Acts 19:16 "Sons of Sceva")

He is clothed with a long inner garment (Rev. 1:13) and an outer garment ("vesture").

His Purpose

… dipped in blood:…

The blood in this context is not His own, but are the bloodstains of His enemies. We see here the marks of a veteran mighty in battle. This is He who fought for Israel as He fought from Heaven against Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines and many others. Remember what happened to Dagon? (1 Samuel 5:1-7)

Isaiah 63:1-4—Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

He is in our text wearing the "same garments" as then! He is coming in the same capacity for the same purpose and with the same invincible power.

His Position

…and his name is called The Word of God. (John 1:1)

In our text, He is not coming at this time as a lamb to save, but as "the Word of God" / Judge. He will judge the world by His Word. Three names are given here indicating his position:

1. An Unknowable Name vs. 12
2. The Word of God vs. 13, 15

Revelation 19:15—And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

3. King of Kings and Lord of Lords vs. 16

Revelation 19:16—And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

vs. 14 The Armies of Heaven

The Lion of Judah is Not Alone

When the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven in flaming fire taking vengeance upon them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel, He does not come alone.

Revelation 19:14—And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

• His Army Will Include His Mighty Angels

2 Thessalonians 1:7,8—And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Compare with 2 Kings 6:17 and Psalm 68:17;

• His Army will Include 10,000's of His Saints

Jude 1:14,15—And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Saints from all ages of time, make up the armies of the sky. Notice that the Bride goes to Heaven in a Battle (Revelation 12:7) and then comes again in a battle (Revelation 19:14).

They Followed Him

He is the commander who gives the orders. They do His bidding. In Matthew 26:53 He could have called 12 legions of angels, but He died alone. (A Roman legion consisted of about six thousand soldiers, or upwards.)

Upon White Horses

Clothed in Fine Linen, white and clean

They Wear no Armor

The Lion's Last Battle (vs. 17-21)

Some Background on this Battle

The Demise of Satan throughout Scripture

Christ is always the victor. Lucifer rebelled and fell to the condemnation of the devil. Satan deceived Eve, but out of a woman came the seed of the Redeemer! Jesus Christ was betrayed or forsaken by those closest to Him through the wiles of the devil, but three days later Up from the Grave Christ Arose! In the last days, the devil will deceive many, but God will still have his faithful and holy remnant.

We are in a time, when evil appears to advance his cause without much opposition. No matter the appearances, satan is a defeated foe. We are commanded to resist, defend against and oppose the devil in daily battles. But Christ will have the final say-so and a final "battle" will END the Wicked One and his servants.

2 Thessalonians 2:8—And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

The Gathering and Wine Press in Revelation 14:14-20

Revelation 14 describes Christ coming as one like unto the Son of man sitting on a white cloud. Having in His hand a sharp sickle, the following judgment is described as both a "gathering of harvest" and a "wine press of wrath".

Revelation 14:19-20— And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Revelation 19:15—…he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

The 6th vial in Revelation 16:12-16

Revelation 16 told us that the location of this great battle would be in Armageddon. On the human side, the kings of the earth are inspired to gather together against God by evil spirits.

Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Revelation 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Making War with the Lamb in Revelation 17:14

Revelation 17:14 describes the kings of the earth as making war with the lamb, but the Lamb and those that are with Him overcome them.

Revelation 17:14 These [the ten kings of the earth] shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

An Invitation to this Battle

An Invitation to another 'supper' is given: 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Conclusion