Bible Study with Jairus Revelation 19 (part 1) God's Salvation Approaches Its Completion

Bible Study With Jairus

Bible Study with Jairus
Revelation 19 (part 1)

God's Salvation Approaches Its Completion

In Revelation 19:7, the Biblical story of salvation reaches a turning point of great significance. This verse says, “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” (NIV). The bride’s preparation is a source of great joy. Why is this such an important turning point?

Romans 8:21 reveals an important link between the salvation of God’s people and the restoration of all creation. One day, God will release His creation “from its bondage to decay” and bring it into “the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Romans 8:21, NIV). This will only take place when God’s sons are revealed (Romans 8:19, NIV). God will ultimately restore all of creation to its original perfection—but only when God’s children are also set free and revealed.

God says: “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). But his purpose links together creation and his children. All creation longs to be set free. It waits with eager longing for the sons of God to enter into glory. Only then can it be set free from bondage (Romans 8:21). This passage reveals God's method of salvation.

The story of God’s plan to restore this broken world can be traced back to Genesis. After He created the universe, God declared that his creation was good. But when He created humanity, He called mankind “very good.” This was before humanity’s fall.

Before the fall, everything was good, and God’s design for his creation remained intact. However, after Satan’s rebellion, both the heavens and the earth were defiled. One-third of the angels were cast out of heaven, and after humanity succumbed to Satan's deception and rebellion, all of creation fell under a curse. As a result of this disrupted order, lions became predators and venomous serpents began to harm humans. All these were consequences of creation being subjected to bondage.

Yet, Isaiah speaks of a future restoration when all things will be renewed: “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain” (Isaiah 65:25). Even serpents suffer under this bondage. Because Satan used a snake for his evil purposes, all serpents were cursed by God. However, when all things are restored, even snakes will no longer harm anyone.

So, how can all of creation be restored? What is the overarching theme of God's plan of salvation? God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus, through His sacrifice on the cross, became our redemption, taking away our sins so that we might return to the Father. God accomplished this work through Christ and now offers salvation to all who believe. But not everyone will accept his salvation and enter into the glory of the sons of God. The difference between those who accept His gift and those who do not is a central theme of the Scripture.

Jesus Christ is the firstborn Son of God, and all who believe are also sons. We are predestined to enter into God’s glory. However, we go through stages of growth and maturity as we grow into our full glory as sons of God. After being born again, we start out like little children. Then we grow and mature to become full-grown sons. Finally, we become heirs of God through Christ. These stages represent the continual process of transformation. As we mature and ultimately enter into the glory of God's sons, God promises that creation will be set free from its bondage.

In Revelation 19, God's plan of salvation is near completion. The bride represents the mature sons of God as they enter His glory. At the same time, the judgment of the great harlot symbolizes God's judgment on Satan and the evil spirits, who have subjected creation to bondage. During the Battle of Armageddon, Christ and His bride defeat the beast and his great harlot. After this battle, the creation will be set free from its bondage.

From Children to Heirs: A Spiritual Progression

The Bible reveals a process of maturation for God’s children, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. God’s sons must move from infancy to childhood and then to mature sons ready to become heirs. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were like infants, needing the law as a guardian to discipline and guide them (Galatians 3:23-25). However, when Jesus Christ came, He became the fulfillment of the law, so that everyone who believes in Him would be justified by faith (Romans 10:4). The Israelites had to transition from being led by the law as their guardian to accepting the personal leadership of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As we trust in Him and grow spiritually, we become mature sons, ready to inherit His glory.

When the Apostle Paul speaks of God’s children, he uses two distinct Greek words to describe the progression from children to heirs. In Romans 8:16, the word "children" in Greek is teknon ("The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God"). However, in verse 17, it says, "and if children, then heirs." In this verse, the word for children is “huios,” which refers to a mature son. This is the word used when the Father says of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
The entire Biblical story, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, describes a process of growth in the lives of God’s children. But many Israelites rejected this growth, and as a result, many failed to recognize Jesus when he appeared.

When the disciples asked Jesus which prophet was the greatest, Jesus said that John was greater than all Old Testament prophets; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than John (Matthew 11:11). Why? Because no OT prophet had Jesus or the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. But even the least in the kingdom of heaven has Jesus and the Holy Spirit living within them. Since Jesus is greater than Solomon and the temple (Matthew 12:6), those in the kingdom of heaven who have Jesus and the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, are naturally greater than John. But since many Israelites rejected this process of growth and maturity, they were unwilling to accept the justification that Jesus brought.

In 1 John 2:12-14, the Apostle John mentions three stages of spiritual growth that mirror the stages of natural development. Believers start out less mature, like little children. They then grow in maturity, like young men. Finally, they reach the stage of a spiritual father. I believe the American church is in the young man stage. On the other hand, countries like China are in the first stage of maturity. These countries have not yet been evangelized, and the percentage of believers is still very small. For example, in China, there are only about 6% Christians. Although the spiritual life of each individual Christian can vary greatly, the spiritual life of China as a nation is often very immature. The influence of Christian culture within society is also quite limited. In contrast, the United States is in the young man stage because 65% of the population identifies as Christian, and Christian culture has permeated society. Although there is still much corruption in the United States, it is still stronger than countries like China, which are in a pre-gospel state. As the Chinese saying goes, “The sickly camel is still bigger than the horse.”

That is not to say that American Christians have no room for growth. Many American Christians refuse to grow spiritually, and teenagers are in rebellion. This creates many issues in society. If the American Christians would continue to grow spiritually, they would not only be able to address the political and social issues in the United States, but they could also bring a greater and more positive influence to the world.

What does maturity look like in a child of God? On an individual level, maturity refers to a victorious life, reigning with the Lord on the throne (Revelation 3:21). On a collective level, it refers to entering into the glory of God's sons, reigning with Jesus Christ. At that time, we become the mature heirs of God as his bride. This is the scene described in Revelation 19:7-9.

The three main sections of the Bible also mirror the three stages of growth and maturity in the life of God’s people.

1. The first stage includes the entire Old Testament and the Gospels. During this period, the Israelites are like spiritual children. In the Gospels, the Lord Jesus told His disciples that there were many things they did not understand and could not yet bear, and that they would only understand them when the Holy Spirit came.
2. The book of Acts and the epistles address the church’s spiritual growth pains. In one of Paul's letters, he mentions that the Corinthians should have grown to the point of eating solid food, but instead, they were still spiritual infants, only able to drink milk.
3. In John’s letters, some believers have reached the stage of spiritual “fathers.” The Book of Revelation highlights various trials that have helped believers mature. Although there have been victorious saints throughout the ages, the collective process of spiritual growth began in Genesis and ended in revelation.

The Bride’s Fine Linen Represents the Manifestation of God’s Glory

Another metaphor that God uses to describe His people is the Bride. What does the term "Bride" mean? It means we are filled with the life of Jesus Christ to the extent that His life is manifested through us, and we become His replica. We do not shine on our own, but we are clothed with bright, clean, fine linen, allowing God's light to shine through us. The fine linen represents the righteous deeds of the saints. When we are justified by faith in Christ, we are filled with the life of God. This life makes us pure and bright, like a bright inner light. This light shines out through the semi-transparent fine linen we are wearing. The linen represents our righteous acts, which demonstrate the life of God within us.

The Bride of Christ, a replica of Christ, signifies the completion of God’s will. In addition, this metaphor describes a pairing. Those chosen by God as His bride become the New Jerusalem, which is described in the next chapter as the Lamb's wife (see Revelation 21). These three metaphors all describe the experience of God’s people. We are the sons of God waiting to be glorified; we are the bride of the Lamb; and we are the New Jerusalem.

After we are transformed by God's redemption and united with the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, all things will enter into God's glory. This is what is spoken of in the beginning of Colossians 3, where Paul says, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Like a carnation flower hidden within its seed, our lives are hidden with Christ in God. When He is revealed, we will also be “revealed with Him in glory.” One day, Jesus Christ will be revealed as described in Revelation 19, and we will also be revealed with Him and will enter into the glory of God's sons. Right now, we are like the seed of a carnation—not very impressive or beautiful. But when Christ’s life is revealed, the beauty of our lives will unfurl like a flower.

At that time, the scene described in Revelation 19 will take place. We will praise God, and He will judge the great harlot. Before we reach this level of maturity, however, all creation will be ruled by the great harlot, Babylon the Great. This is why Revelation 19:1-6 records the judgment of Babylon the Great.

The Harlot, Babylon the Great, Creates Suffering and Growth

In Revelation 19, the great city of Babylon (the harlot) is mentioned for the last time. After that, it is burned. In Revelation 18, it is important to note that God crushes Babylon the Great rather than simply burning it. This is because Babylon the Great has imprisoned many believers. During a process of purification, God saves the lost sheep trapped in Babylon the Great. Only then does he begin to burn Babylon (18:9). In this chapter, God tells us once again that “the smoke from her burning goes up forever and ever” (19:3).

In Romans, Paul says that believers will one day enter into the glory of the children of God. After our victory, when the scene described in Revelation 19 takes place, all things will be restored. We as believers will be freed from the oppression of the enemy, and creation will be set free from bondage. All of creation will be renewed, just as Isaiah foretold.

Babylon the Great is evil, but her influence is a double-edged sword. As Paul says in the book of Romans, all things work together for good for those who love God. Babylon’s oppression is bad, but it will be used by God to create good. The sufferings Babylon creates help push people toward spiritual maturity. On one hand, she oppresses us, but on the other hand, these sufferings force us to mature. The intense sufferings described in Revelation are part of God’s plan to create intense maturity.

In Revelation 19:1, a great multitude in heaven praises God, shouting “Hallelujah.” They praise God's judgment as true and just and glorify God for avenging the blood of His servants (19:2). This corresponds to the prayer of the saints under the altar in Revelation 6, who cried out for vengeance but were told to wait a little while until the number of those who would be killed like them was complete. I believe that in Revelation 19, the number of martyrs who would be slain by Babylon the Great has reached its full number. This is why God judges Babylon the Great. In 19:3, the saints once again say, “Hallelujah.”

I also noticed that the saints say, that “the smoke of her [Babylon’s] burning goes up forever and ever.” Although it doesn't mention Babylon being thrown into the lake of fire in this passage, the reference to “burning forever” points indirectly to the judgment of the great harlot in the lake of fire. This is the first time I have noticed this.

The next passage describes the 24 elders who are praising God because His work has been completed. All they can say in response is, “Amen, Hallelujah.” These 24 elders are mentioned three times in Revelation, each time in the context of worship—particularly when God accomplishes a great work. At those magnificent moments, the 24 elders, along with the four living creatures, worship the One who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen! Hallelujah!” Here, the 24 elders have nothing else to say but “Amen” and “Halleluiah,” because God has finished His great work.

In the Bible, there are three significant places where the completion of God’s great work is mentioned. After the Heavenly Father completed the work of creation in the Old Testament, the Bible says “the heavens and the earth were completed” (Genesis 2:1). After the completion of His work of creation, God rested. Similarly, when the Lord Jesus was crucified, He also declared, "It is finished." His death on the cross marked the fulfillment of Christ's work of redemption. However, in the book of Revelation (10:7, 16:17, 21:6), the term "It is done" refers to the bride being fully mature and prepared for her husband, Christ (Revelation 21:6). This indicates that the work of the Holy Spirit was finished. He had transformed Christ's body, the church, into a spotless bride presented to God. After all creation is restored, and God's work is fully completed, then God says, "It is done." Heaven then bursts into joyous celebration and praises God. Following the praise of the 24 elders, a voice from the throne resounds, calling all creation to worship God. I believe this signifies Christ on the throne, leading all creation in worship of God. Subsequently, the heavenly multitude, which is the Body of Christ, responds to Christ’s leadership and begins to praise God.

Conclusion:

The vision presented in Revelation 19:1-10 portrays a heavenly scene in which God's salvation nears completion.

The first half of Revelation 19 reveals three topics:

• The judgment of Babylon the Great
• The preparation of the bride
• Christ leading the bride (and all creation) in to praise God.

The latter half of the chapter unveils Christ's body (the bride) engaging in battle under Christ’s leadership. In the Battle of Armageddon, the church and Christ battle the beast, the false prophet, and the kings who are allied with them. Ultimately, they are defeated, and the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire.

What event precipitates the final judgment? The maturity of Christ’s bride. When she is fully prepared and mature, and the sons of God enter into glory, all these events begin to unfold. God will not judge Babylon the Great until the bride is mature and the number of martyrs is complete. But when the bride is ready, God judges and burns Babylon.

At the same time, the bride attends the marriage supper of the Lamb, and Christ takes her as His own. Christ then leads His bride (and all creation) in a magnificent song of praise to God, who sits on the throne. The 24 elders also bow down to worship and praise God.

Finally, the words of Paul are fulfilled: All things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will be united in worship of God through Christ, fully manifesting God’s wisdom to all creation. Paul writes that his goal is “to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 3:9-10). Perhaps this is why the 24 elders are so awestruck. When all things are restored, and all of creation worships God under the leadership of Christ and His bride, they marvel at God’s wisdom and offer heartfelt praise.

As Christ’s bride enters the glory of the sons of God, all creation is released from its bondage, and we as believers begin to share in Christ’s glory. After Christ is united with His bride, they confront the beast, the false prophet, and their kings before finally defeating Satan, the ancient serpent.

Today’s church is far from mature. We are not yet ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb. This is why I do not believe we are in the end times. Christ’s return cannot be imminent because His bride is not yet mature. We must set aside our speculations about the last days and instead learn the lessons of maturity that God wants to teach us through suffering in this present age. Only then will we be prepared to become Christ’s mature bride.