The mighty Potomac River! God’s mighty power on display!

Revelation 19

Hallelujah!!! We are through the grinding details of the tribulation in chapters 6-18! Jesus is not just coming but He has arrived!!! I use the word Hallelujah because it is used 4 times in verses 1-6. Hallelujah is a word used often in the OT but only 4 times in NT and only here in Revelation 19. Hallelujah! “Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,” verse 1. “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns,” verse 6. This is the second coming of Jesus. All of the NT from Matthew to here in Revelation 19 has been building toward this event. The New Testament withholds “Hallelujah” until this event. Jesus is coming and the imagery (eyes are a flame of fire; from His mouth comes a sharp sword; on His robe is written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS) is as a conqueror to mete out judgement.

As previously mentioned, we see glimpses of the tribulation all around us today. Evil leaders with great power; hatred and martyrdom of Christians; flourishing immoral religions; worldly system and secular mindset, etc. As those who long for righteousness to reign and evil to be judged, our emotions run the full spectrum of sadness, frustration, fear to anger as we view the world as it is today.  We have a longing for things to be made right. So imagine all of heaven, angels and saints, watching the world during the tribulation when thing are far worse than today! Therefore, by the end of the tribulation and by the time of these events of Revelation 19 occur and Jesus comes to wage war, the word that pours out of heaven is HALLELUJAH!

The Lord is not slow

How then should we live? 2 Peter 3:8-18 tells us how to think about the second coming today and therefore how to live. We long for judgement and for things to be made right. Peter says “the Lord is not slow about His promises…but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance,” v9. “And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation,” vs15. Jesus exhibits His kindness with patience toward this corrupt world so that all of us who are His beloved elect can come to salvation before His judgement comes. So, while we are in this world, awaiting the coming of Jesus, Peter says “you therefore beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” 2 Peter 3:17,18. That’s how we should live. Amen!