Revelation Series: 19 & 20
HEAVEN WINS
If you’ve been on this journey with us, I think we can all agree—it’s been encouraging, stretching, and, at times, overwhelming. Through it all, we have gained a deeper understanding of the God we serve and the end of this age.
But one thing has remained clear: Jesus is in control at all times. He is the righteous and gracious King who reigns in heaven. He is worthy of our worship, and His judgments are just. As we step into the final chapters, we see God’s ultimate plan unfolding—a plan to restore what sin has devastated.
Jesus’ Mission: Restoration and Renewal
When Jesus began His ministry, He read from Isaiah 61—a prophecy of His coming and a vision of what His rule on earth would look like:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..."
Jesus’ coming was the most significant step toward restoring what sin had destroyed. The Bible begins with a perfect city and a spotless bride—the Garden of Eden and sinless humanity. But by the time we reached Revelation 17-18, we saw a broken, perverted city—Babylon—symbolizing humanity’s rebellion, and an unfaithful bride—corrupted by sin.
The second coming of Jesus will bring restoration and renewal. Over the next few chapters, we will witness the reestablishment of God’s original design as sin and darkness are finally dealt with.
The Wedding Supper of the Lamb: A Celebration of Redemption
Revelation 19 opens with a powerful scene of worship in heaven:
"Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments."
The celebration is not about destruction but about the righteousness of God being established. Verse 7 declares:
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready."
This wedding supper represents the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore what was lost. Just as a wedding unites two into one, this moment marks the end of separation between God and His people. And how do we prepare for this? By putting our faith in Jesus and allowing His sacrifice to cleanse and restore us.
"Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
This symbolizes the righteousness given to us through Jesus. We are not seen as we were, but as we are made through His sacrifice.
The King of Kings Returns in Victory
Then, John sees an awe-inspiring vision:
"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True."
This is Jesus, returning in power. Unlike the false savior—the Antichrist, who also appeared on a white horse in Revelation 6—Jesus is crowned with many crowns, His eyes burning with fire, and His robe dipped in blood. His name is The Word of God, echoing John 1:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..."
This is the final battle. The armies of heaven follow Jesus, and the enemy is defeated. The Antichrist and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire, and Satan himself is bound for a thousand years.
The Thousand-Year Reign and the Final Judgment
Revelation 20 describes a period where Christ reigns on the earth, and Satan is bound. Scholars debate whether this is a literal 1,000-year reign (Premillennialism) or if it represents the current church age (Amillennialism). Regardless, the message is clear—God is victorious, and His kingdom will be fully established.
Then, the final judgment comes:
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened… Another book was opened, which is the book of life."
Those who rejected Jesus will be judged by their deeds, and those not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. This is the sobering reality of sin’s consequences. But we must remember—God’s desire is for all to come to salvation. He has given every opportunity, sent every warning, and extended His invitation time and time again.
The Good News: Our God Wins!
While Revelation speaks of judgment, it ultimately tells a story of redemption. John 3:16-18 reminds us:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
God does not desire anyone to perish. He sent Jesus to make a way for salvation. But those who reject Him will be rejected in return. This is not about an unloving God but a just one. Sin must be accounted for, and the only payment that satisfies is the blood of Jesus.
As we approach the final chapters, we see the culmination of God’s plan—the restoration of a perfect city and a spotless bride. We see the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people forever.
And in all the mysteries of Revelation, one thing is clear: Our God wins. His kingdom will come, His will will be done, and those who trust in Him will reign with Him forever.