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Sunday School Lesson
With a "casual reading" of the book of Revelation, it becomes quite obvious that the judgment of God will fall upon those individuals and nations who do not worship him in the manner that is prescribed in scripture. John 4:24. The symbolic language that is used in this book shows the destruction of all who rebel. The picture of the final fall of "Babylon" (Revelation 17:5; 18:1-24) depicts the end of the "world system" with all of its greed, selfishness and destructive attitudes and actions. "Babylon" - a symbol of Rome, past and present - is seen as a "great whore." Revelation 17:1, 15, 16; 19:2. The "prostitution" - thus, the embracing of actions and attitudes that are foreign to the plan of God - of the "visible church" and the resulting degradation of "worship" is seen as the forsaking of the "covenant" that God has made with the human race. Thus, the "adultery" of the "system" must be punished. The "Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1) shifted from the destruction of the earthly system to the glories of heaven. "And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; salvation, and glory and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God ..." Revelation 19:1. This multitude knew of the judgment that had been poured upon "Babylon" - "For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand." Revelation 19:2. There seems to be no malice in the response of this "multitude." "And again they said, Alleluia." Revelation 19:3a. We are told that "her smoke rose up for ever and ever." Revelation 19:3b. The earthly and the heavenly representatives in the heavenly throne-room responded. "And the four and 20 elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia." Revelation 19:4. This act of worship was followed by a divine directive. "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great." Revelation 19:5. The divine directive relating to "fear" is that of "reverential fear." This "fear" is not that which is built upon "dread of retribution - punishment", only, but upon the desire to please the one who has provided eternal redemption for the lost human race. This "reverential fear" is not that "paralyzing fear" that causes one to "freeze," resulting in lack of action. Paul told Timothy, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7. The individual can "control" the direction of the thoughtlife. 2 Corinthians 10:5. The "multitude" responded. "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Revelation 19:6. This message continued, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." Revelation 19:7. The picture of the "wife" is the picture of "purity," in contrast to the "impurity" of the "whore." The picture of the "purity" of the "bride" is painted in the writings of the Apostle Paul. He wrote of the body of believers as "a chaste virgin." 2 Corinthians 11:2d. Since Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, is seen as our "high priest" (Hebrews 2:17c), his "bride" must meet the divinely-prescribed qualifications (Leviticus 21:7, 13). As with most weddings, the "bride" became the focus of the scene that was witnessed by the apostle. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white..." Revelation 19:8a. To the "first readers" - and to us - it was - and is - important that we understand the meaning of the symbolism. John explained, "for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints." Revelation 19:8b. This quality of "righteousness" has been provided. It is easy for the "fallen human race" to attempt to "invent" some kind of "righteousness" that might "impress" the heavenly father - the creator of the universe. However, this act is impossible. Isaiah wrote, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ..." Isaiah 64:6a. However, God has provided this necessary ingredient for us. Paul wrote, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us ... righteousness ..." 1 Corinthians 1:30. Have you accepted this divine provision? The "divine guide," who was showing John the unfolding of these events, gave him instruction. "And he said unto, write, blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the lamb." Revelation 19:9a. This event was pictured by our Lord, as he gave one of the parables. Matthew 22:1-14. In this parable, the provisions had been made, and the summons was given. The invited guests did not positively respond to the call to "Come." The "societal rejects" were made welcome. The "wedding garment" was made available to all who did come. However, each person was responsible for using the "garment" that had been provided. Today, are you "spiritually clothed?" Romans 13:14a; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:24. The "divine guide" "saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." Revelation 19:9b. It would seem to us that this declaration was unnecessary. However, the holy spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21) knew that "skeptics" would read these words, and "give their own twists" (2 Peter 3:16) to the words of this vision.
The response of John was immediate. "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God ..." Revelation 19:10a,b. Who do you worship?
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