I was reading a letter from an elementary school that my friend in Hawaii posted on Facebook today.
It talked about how a child going to school was accosted by a stranger who threatened to kidnap her. A high school student was nearby so the child quickly ran to the student for help, and the stranger immediately left.
It really is scary to see all that is going on in society. And often times, we wonder if justice is ever going to come. We saw the saints crying out that very question in chapter 6.
But here in this chapter, we see that justice will finally come on all those who do evil and on the society that gave them birth. Antichrist, the prophet, Babylon, and everyone who follows them all fall.
The Antichrist and his army rise up for one last war against God, and Jesus returns to take back what is rightfully his. He who is faithful and true finally comes to prove that he truly is these things.
He proved it on the cross where he shed his blood for our sins (13), and he proves it now by bringing justice and salvation to the earth.
One would think that it would be a full-scale war, reminiscent of all the great battle scenes that you see in the movies. But it really is no contest.
With a word, the enemy’s army is destroyed (Revelation 19:21), and the antichrist and his prophet are thrown into the lake of fire (20).
Babylon is destroyed, and the smoke of its destruction rises forever (3), while the birds of prey feast at the banquet of the damned (17-18, 21).
The end result? Worship. For justice has finally come.
All heaven roars,
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…Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever…Amen, Hallelujah! (Revelation 19:1-4)
And with the banquet of the damned completed, another banquet is prepared. A voice from God’s throne cries out,
Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great! (5)
And all heaven responds,
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 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. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (6-8)
The angel then turns to John and says,
Write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb…These are the true words of God.” (9)
The point of this all? Justice is coming. And with justice will come great joy for all of us who are the bride of Christ.
Though we did nothing to deserve it, though we too deserved to join the banquet of the damned, he has clothed us with his righteousness, and that righteousness has become our own.
We have become his own, Christ’s beloved. And we will rejoice with him for all eternity.
So as we see all the injustice and corruption in this world, let us hold on to that hope.
Justice is coming. Jesus is coming. And on that day, all heaven and earth will ring out in worship of him who truly is faithful and true.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 