Peter Barnes: Revelation 19
(27 May 2018)
SERMON NOTES: TWO SUPPERS – WITH THE BRIDEGROOM OR THE DIVINE WARRIOR (Revelation 19)
In the context of hallelujahs – much praising of Yahweh – Revelation 19 speaks of two suppers, and in between of the divine warrior, Christ. There are hallelujahs in 19:1, 3, 4, 6. The beast and the false prophet will be crushed.
- The marriage supper of the Lamb.
– 19:7-9; see Matt.26:29. Yahweh was the bridegroom and Israel the bride in the Old Testament (Hosea 2:19-20; Ezek.16); Christ is the bridegroom and the Church the bride in the New Testament (John 3:29-30; Eph.5:25-27).
– 19:10; note too 22:8-9. John gets too excited.
– On 15 July 1555 John Bradford and John Leaf were led out to be burnt at the stake for heresy at Smithfield. Bradford tried to encourage the younger man: ‘Be of good comfort, brother, for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night.’
- Christ is the victorious divine warrior.
– 19:11-16. He is Faithful and True (19:11); the Word of God (19:13); King of kings and Lord of lords (19:16). Charles Wesley: ‘Jesus, the name high over all’.
– The two beasts are not individual persons, but they are judged by Christ – 19:20; (20:10 for the devil; 21:8 for unbelievers). The director of the film Titanic at the 1998 Oscar Awards: ‘I’m the king of the world!’ Had he watched his own film?
- Supper for the vultures.
– 19:17-21. There are two suppers – the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9) and a feast for vultures (19:17-18). Ezek.39:17-20. We feast with Christ or we are feasted upon in the judgment.