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Revelation 19    

During the appointed time of the end, the nations will look to Jerusalem with great hope for global peace and religious unity.  Antichrist will no doubt enter the Jerusalem Temple with the citizens' approval, and there proclaim himself the prophesied King; but Christ will suddenly come to His Temple to cleanse it of this treacherous act.  For this sin and others, the city will meet her doom.

On the Day of Visitation, the "great multitude" of martyrs from all nationalities will be resurrected and taken to Heaven to stand before God's throne.  According to Revelation 19:1-3 the word is heard that Jerusalem has finally fallen.  A loud roar of celebration echoes from the multitude of redeemed, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." And again the large group shouts in triumph: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."

The Great Multitude Celebrates The Unfaithful Wife's Death

1. How is the "great multitude" identified in the book of prophecy (Revelation 7:9, 14-17; 15:2; 20:4)?

The last-day "overcomers" who endure persecution (John 16:33) are promised several rewards as found in the first few chapters of Revelation (2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26-28; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21). This innumerable group is made up of all nationalities of the earth--Jew and Gentile alike.  They will escape from the midst of the Great Tribulation. Why? Because they will patiently endure even unto death and thereby overcome the beast, his image and his mark (3:10).  Their great sacrifice for the cause of Messiah will open the door for them to personally serve God day and night in the Heavenly Temple--an honor not given to all saints. 

2. What are some of the main reasons for the great city Jerusalem's terrible demise twice in the past, and again in the future appointed time of the end (Jeremiah 22:8-9, 17; Matthew 23:31-38; Revelation 18:24)?

For forsaking God's Covenant (Ten Commandments); dishonest gain; shedding the blood of the innocent, including prophets, wise men and teachers; oppression and extortion; and stubbornness.  Particularly is Jerusalem condemned for the blood of the innocent.  Jerusalem rejoices with the rest of the world when God's last two witnesses fall in her streets.  For this reason, all Heaven repays with shouts of celebration when the city falls shortly thereafter because "God has avenged on her the blood of His servants," (v. 2).

3. Revelation 19:3 states that "the smoke from her goes up for ever and ever." Would we expect that Babylon's smoke will literally rise for all eternity? 

No. This statement is idiomatic--an expression unique to a particular language and/or culture.  One would understand this to mean that her destruction is complete and she will never be rebuilt again, and should not be taken in a literal sense.  Jude 7 is similar in that the prophet said "Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns . . . suffered the punishment of eternal fire."  Again, the fire was not eternal for it has long sense died out, but the results were; these towns have never been reconstructed.  In similar fashion, unlike the rebuilding of Jerusalem after her destruction in both 586 B.C. and 70 A.D., the great city will never be restored again.  Her collapse will be final.  The walls will be leveled to the foundations as predicted in Matthew 24, and not one tool will be lifted to rebuild her former glory.

4. What city is being prepared that will replace her with greater splendor than has ever been seen before (Revelation 21:1-2)?

In Revelation 19:4 the twenty-four redeemed elders (Revelation 5:8-9) who sit as jury during the Courtroom Judgment, along with the four living creatures, fall down in worship of God.  They add their approval to the great multitude of redeemed of the judgment of the great city. 

5. In verses 5-6 a voice calls up what group of people to respond in adoration to Almighty?

The cry is for the "servants"-- those who reverence Almighty--"both small and great!" to lift their voices in adoration.

6. This "great multitude" is clearly identified earlier in Revelation 7:9 as what group of people?

This "great multitude" of saved are found at this point in Heaven before God's throne are from every nation of the earth.  Later in Revelation 7 it is said that they have escaped or "come out of the Great Tribulation" and are transport to Heaven for a ceremony about to begin.  1 Corinthians 15:20-24 reveals that "resurrection" paves the way for Divine judgment: "all die, so in Christ all will be made alive [in resurrection]. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits [two thousand years ago]; then, when He comes [to earth], those who belong to Him [will be raised to life]. Then THE END will come." 

The Great Multitude Celebrates The Wedding Between New Bride & Husband

7. Revelation 19:7-9 defines the continuation of the celebration in Heaven.  The great multitude first shouts in unified praise over Jerusalem's fall, then Almighty calls upon the innumerable crowd to lift their voices in festivity for the wedding of the Lamb is about to begin.  Why?  

The Bride has made herself ready because she is adorned in "fine linen, bright and clean... the righteous acts of the saints."  That is to say, the great multitude of redeemed will step through the gate and into the New Jerusalem.  The Bride (Revelation 21:9-10)--the heavenly city Jerusalem--for so long absent of her wedding attire, will be clothed with the beauty and glorious light of her human inhabitants.  For the great "multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake [to be taken to Heaven for the wedding event, and]... those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens... like the stars for ever and ever," Daniel 12:2-3.  The Bride will finally be clothed in linen (for the persecuted saints are themselves clothed in white robes--Revelation 3:4-5; 6:9-11; 7:9), in contrast to the prostitute who wore "purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls," given her by political lovers (Revelation 17:4).  

On the great wedding day, the union between the Husband--Jesus Christ and Bride--New Jerusalem, will be complete with all the resurrected saints.  The bride, Groom and inhabitants will continue in celebration for the seven days of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).

8. How did Jesus promise this home coming and wedding to the saints before He left the earth (John 14:3)? 

"I am going there to prepare a place [New Jerusalem] for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you [to live], I will come back and take you [to Heaven] with Me [at the end of time] that you also may be where I am."

9. How does the following verses bring home the reality that the New Jerusalem in Heaven will replace the earthly Jerusalem, along with the saints' anticipation of entering the city as guests for the wedding celebration between Christ and His new Bride?

Hebrews 11:10, 16:  "For he [Abraham] was looking forward to the city [New Jerusalem] with foundations, whose architect and builder is God . . . they [people of faith] were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."