Sermon Notes - Revelation 19:1-10 - Preparation - Littleby Baptist Church - January 23, 2022

1.     We wrapped up Revelation 18 a couple of weeks before Christmas.

a.      We saw that Babylon will come to an end.

b.     God’s justice will fall on the wicked.

c.      For us, we need to remember to not let the world, to not let Satan, lead us astray.

d.     Our focus needs to be on Jesus.

e.      We need to learn God’s Word and apply to our lives.

f.      It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we will see sin for what it is.

                                                    i.     The sin in our lives and the temptations that are before us.

g.     The closer we draw to God the clearer things become.

h.     The more we get with God, the more we let the Holy Spirit work in us, the more likely we will be able to avoid the traps of the evil one.

2.     As we start with chapter 19, we are reaching a transition.

a.      Chapters 4-18 dealt with the Great Tribulation.

b.     In chapter 19 we start by looking at heaven’s response to the fall of Babylon, but then transition to the Lord’s second coming.

3.     Revelation 19:1a

a.      After this – After the righteous judgement has fallen Babylon.

                                                    i.     After the events of chapters 17 and 18.

b.     Vast multitude shouting in joy, it is likely that these are the white robed tribulation saints, those that had been martyred, but Scripture is not clear.

                                                    i.     It is praise from heaven, could be the martyrs, could be angles, could be a combination of the two.

4.     Revelation 19:1b-2

a.      Hallelujah = Praise the Lord!

b.     Salvation comes from the Lord, salvation from sin, and salvation from persecution.

c.      All Glory is His. The Glory belongs to our Lord.

d.     The one who created the universe, is the only one who has the Power to accomplish His will.

e.      His Salvation, His Glory, and His Power will be seen in His judgement against the corrupt prostitute Babylon.

f.      If any had doubts about the Power that our God has, that He can bring salvation, and that all Glory is due Him… those doubts will be put to rest once and for all when Babylon is judged.

g.     Babylon will persecute followers of Christ; it will lead people away from God… and God’s righteous wrath will be complete when judgement comes.

h.     It can be hard to say Hallelujah or Praise the Lord for the coming judgement.

i.       It may be hard to know that there will be people who will suffer as part of that judgement.

                                                    i.     What we need to remember - God is Holy, He is just… any judgement that He gives, is deserved.

5.     Revelation 19:3

a.      Praise the Lord!

b.     When Babylon is judged it will not return.

                                                    i.     Its smoke will rise forever and ever.

6.     Revelation 19:4

a.      The heavenly court.

b.     What is believed to be twelve elders that represent the twelve tribes and twelve elders that represent the church of the New Covenant.

c.      The four creatures who have carried out various roles in the Great Tribulation.

d.     They all will say… Amen! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

e.      They will give God All the Glory!

7.     Revelation 19:5

a.      Since this voice is calling all to ‘Praise our God’, likely from one of the elders, living creatures, or an angel.  

b.     Stating that all who fear God, those who hold God in reverence, need to Praise Him.

c.      All those left on earth that are followers of Jesus, are to Praise our God!

8.     In these first 5 verses we have martyred saints, those in the throne room, and all believers left on earth saying Hallelujah or Praise the Lord, in response to the judgement of Babylon.

a.      God is being celebrated for carrying out a judgement that will be deserved and needed.

b.     That is the last we will hear about Babylon.

9.     Revelation 19:6

a.      The voice of a vast multitude... so loud it sounded like cascading water and rumbling of loud thunder.

b.     In chapter 14 John used these same descriptors for the 144,000 when they sang a new song.

c.      It is likely that the voice that is being heard is the 144,000 crying out.

d.     Our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns!

                                                    i.     Jesus’ Lordship was never in doubt.

                                                  ii.     But at this point in our future, it comes to fruition.

1.     He has defeated those who stood against Him.

2.     And now the bridegroom, Jesus, is about to take His bride, the Church.

10.  Revelation 19:7-8

a.      Let us celebrate as the time we have been waiting for has come!

b.     The wedding is here!

c.      A celebration that Jesus has begun His reign as King of kings.

d.     A celebration that all who have chosen to follow Jesus are now with Him.

e.      Jesus paved the way.

11.  Ephesians 5:25-27

a.      Jesus has done everything He can.

b.     He gave the church fine linen to wear, which is victory over sin through His amazing gift.

                                                    i.     Through His actions the church, the bride, has been made Holy.

                                                  ii.     When we choose Jesus, we have been made Holy.

c.      She, the Bride, the Church, has been cleansed from the sins of the world.

d.     We have been redeemed and are ready for the day we get to celebrate with Him.

e.      Bride has prepared herself, meaning the Church, people like us have prepared ourselves.

                                                    i.     What can we do? We can faithfully follow Jesus.

                                                  ii.     We can draw near to our God and resist the tricks of Satan.

f.      We cannot save ourselves, but we can prepare by focusing on Jesus.

12.  Revelation 19:9

a.      One of those tricky parts.

b.     If the Church, all believing followers of Jesus, are the bride who are the guests?

c.      As the combined universal capital C Church, we are the bride.

d.     As individuals we are the invited guests.

e.      As parts of the Bride, we have to prepare ourselves…

                                                    i.     We must faithfully follow Jesus and pursue righteousness.

                                                  ii.     Seek Him, follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, and let Him work through us.

f.      As an invited guest we are simply their because Jesus has offered this amazing gift to us.

g.     As followers of Jesus, we are part of both the bride and a guest.

13.  Revelation 19:10

a.      John tries to worship the angel but is corrected.

b.     A good reminder for us to worship God and God alone. Careful to not worship the messenger, an idol, or the way we have always done things.

c.      We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and Him alone.

d.     He is worthy of all honor and glory!

e.      Nothing else should take His place!

14.  As we look to the wedding feast, we need to prepare ourselves.

15.  Ephesians 2:8-9

a.      Scripture is clear, we are saved by the Grace of God and through our Faith in Him.

b.     We do not deserve it and we cannot earn it.

c.      But we are not to continue to live as sinners.

d.     Read verse 10…

                                                    i.     God has prepared a path for us.

                                                  ii.     As we follow that path, we are accomplishing His will for our lives and impacting those around us.

e.      It is not that we are achieving works for Jesus, that is not how things work.

f.      Philippians 2:13

                                                    i.     If we are giving our lives to Jesus and following His will…

                                                  ii.     He is accomplishing His works in us… we simply need to be faithful, which is one of the ways we prepare ourselves.

16.  How do we prepare ourselves?

a.      It starts with asking God to use us.

b.     Spending time studying God’s Word is critical.

c.      The more time you spend with your God, the easier it is to be used by our God to accomplish His will.

17.  Let God work in you!