‏ Revelation of John 19

* The church in heaven and that on earth triumph, and praise the

Lord for his righteous judgments. (1-10) A vision of Christ

going forth to destroy the beast and his armies. (11-21)

1-10 Praising God for what we have, is praying for what is yet

further to be done for us. There is harmony between the angels

and the saints in this triumphant song. Christ is the Bridegroom

of his ransomed church. This second union will be completed in

heaven; but the beginning of the glorious millennium (by which

is meant a reign of Christ, or a state of happiness, for a

thousand years on earth) may be considered as the celebration of

his espousals on earth. Then the church of Christ, being

purified from errors, divisions, and corruptions, in doctrine,

discipline, worship, and practice, will be made ready to be

publicly owned by him as his delight and his beloved. The church

appeared; not in the gay, gaudy dress of the mother of harlots,

but in fine linen, clean and white. In the robes of Christ's

righteousness, imputed for justification, and imparted for

sanctification. The promises of the gospel, the true sayings of

God, opened, applied, and sealed by the Spirit of God, in holy

ordinances, are the marriage-feast. This seems to refer to the

abundant grace and consolation Christians will receive in the

happy days which are to come. The apostle offered honour to the

angel. The angel refused it. He directed the apostle to the true

and only object of religious worship; to worship God, and him

alone. This plainly condemns the practice of those who worship

the elements of bread and wine, and saints, and angels; and of

those who do not believe that Christ is truly and by nature God,

yet pay him a sort of worship. They stand convicted of idolatry

by a messenger from heaven. These are the true sayings of God;

of Him who is to be worshipped, as one with the Father and the

Holy Spirit. 11-21 Christ, the glorious Head of the church, is described as

on a white horse, the emblem of justice and holiness. He has

many crowns, for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is

arrayed in a vesture dipped in his own blood, by which he

purchased his power as Mediator; and in the blood of his

enemies, over whom he always prevails. His name is "The Word of

God;" a name none fully knows but himself; only this we know,

that this Word was God manifest in the flesh; but his

perfections cannot be fully understood by any creature. Angels

and saints follow, and are like Christ in their armour of purity

and righteousness. The threatenings of the written word he is

going to execute on his enemies. The ensigns of his authority

are his name; asserting his authority and power, warning the

most powerful princes to submit, or they must fall before him.

The powers of earth and hell make their utmost effort. These

verses declare important events, foretold by the prophets. These

persons were not excused because they did what their leaders

bade them. How vain will be the plea of many sinners at the

great day! We followed our guides; we did as we saw others do!

God has given a rule to walk by, in his word; neither the

example of the most, nor of the chief, must influence us

contrary thereto: if we do as the most do, we must go where the

most go, even into the burning lake.