The End of the World Revelation 19
The end of the world (as we know it) Revelation 19
Biblical prophecy is history - written before it happens. It is certain and it is 100% accurate.
v19 … voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,
most likely the angelic host; billions of angels at least. It may well also include the faithful; those saved by the grace of God; the faithful of Israel as well as the true church.
V2…for he has judged the great prostitute
This great prostitute can be identified as an anti-God entity - diverting people’s attention away from the one true God. See also Revelation 16-18
Also called Babylon the Great; this is a corrupt world-wide system that controls the buying and selling of everything; including human misery.
Today we see a world that would welcome “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”
Responsible for the persecution of believers.
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. [1]
V2-3 God will deal with the great prostitute.
The end of this corrupt world system will be a reason for joyous celebration.
V4 Twenty-four elders - possibly the twelve apostles and representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel. We’ll find out some day.
V5-6 Our God is the only God. There is no other. He is worthy of all praise, and here we see him receiving the praise he deserves;
V7 His bride is his church.
V8 This is not salvation by our righteousness, because if we look to our righteousness for salvation, Isaiah 64 tells us-
Isaiah 64:6 all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. [2]
Our righteous deeds should be motivated by our love for the Lord.
V10 What John saw and the words he heard are all overwhelming, so he feels compelled to fall down in worship, but this angel is not Deity and rightly directs worship to God; the only one worthy of worship.
V11-13 This is our Lord Jesus. When he came two thousand years ago, he came in humility
Zech 9:9 …humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [3]
Next time he will come in all His glory, on a white horse; the mark of a victorious warrior.
V14-16 Jesus was born into this world to bring peace. In the end, he comes to make war and rule the nations.
v17-19 The beast and the armies of the earth gather to make war, but they are powerless against Jesus and his army.
V20 It is within the power of Satan to perform signs and wonders, and he uses them to lead many astray. Just because something seemingly miraculous happens, that doesn’t mean it comes from God. Deuteronomy 13:1-3
Knowledge of God’s word gives us the discernment we need, so read your bible. Not just occasionally, read it every day, so that you know it.
As for the Beast and the false prophet-
V20-21 All who stand against God are doomed.
It’s natural for us to want to know the future, but it’s not for us to know everything about the future. There is much that God doesn’t want us to know, but he does tell us clearly what we need to know, so we would do well to spend less time speculating about what is unclear and more time meditating on what God tells us plainly in this book.
These are some of the things that God leaves no doubt about
1. There are hard times ahead.
2. God is the only God and is worthy of all praise.
3. Jesus is Lord
4. Jesus is coming again and will put everything right
God tells us these things in in this book of Revelation so that we can be prepared.
Do you believe what is written in Revelation? Do you look forward to it?
The New Testament authors certainly believed it, and they lived in expectation.
The world is not prepared for the return of Christ. 2 Peter 3:3-7
It’s closer now than it has ever been.
Are you ready? Are you prepared for Jesus’ return? The events described in Revelation could begin at any time.
Over and over, Scripture warns us, telling us to be prepared.
Matt 24:36
Matt 24:42
Matt 24:50
Matt 25:13
Mark 13:32-37
Luke 12:40
1 Thessalonians 5:2
Hebrews 10:24-25
James 5:7-9
1 Peter 4:7
2 Peter 3:10
Revelation 1:3
Revelation 22:7
Revelation 22:12
Revelation 22:20
Biblical prophecy has never failed. It is ‘history written before it happens.’ The question is ‘are you prepared?’ Are you ready for the return of our saviour?
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Re 17:6). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Is 64:6). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Zec 9:9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.