We’ve seen the defeat of religious evil in Revelation 17 and the defeat of secular evil in chapter 18 and now, in chapter 19, we’ll see the “Victory in Jesus” celebration.
We’ll begin in the first verse with “after this” referring to the victories over evil in chapters 17 and 18.
“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.’” — Revelation 19: 1
The word used for this
celebration is “Hallelujah” created from two Hebrew words, “hallel” meaning “praise” and “Yahweh” the name of God; all God’s people are “praising God!” But why?
“For his judgments are true and just; he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of his servants. Once more they cried out, ‘Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.’” — Revelation 19: 2-3
Here is a hint in John:
“If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.”
— John 8: 36
Way back in the garden of Eden, God created a man, a woman, and a garden; he gave them the garden to enjoy and rule over. But when Satan told them to eat the forbidden fruit and they ate it, they gave authority over to Satan and he’s held it since that time.
So, Adam and Eve and we, are no longer free to rule the garden; we are living in a world ruled by Satan.
Now, I’ve always believed God created the earth and filled it with illustrations and lessons, and the beaver is one of those illustrations with a lesson for us. Beavers build dams to stop the water from running free — Satan builds dams to keep God’s people from running free.
We can no longer read nor study the Bible in public schools. We can no longer safely refer to anyone by their biological gender.
And the list is steadily growing as the world incre asingly dams up the the free-running expressions of our faith.
“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.’” — Revelation 19: 6-7
The key to Revelation is found in “the roar of many waters,” meaning the dams are broken and we’re finally free to express our faith without interference … really free!
Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor serving Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville, Ga. With wife, Mary Ella, they are missionaries to the Navajo Reservation.
