The “Because” of Heaven

Revelation 19:2

The term “because” is a literary hinge connecting two truths. The first one is explained or further clarified by the second. In this case, the chapter opens with the Hallelujah chorus. The setting, as we saw last week, is that evil has been finally conquered. Our salvation has come to its point of final realization. The ultimate wedding invitation has been sent out and the time for the wedding has come. The joy depicted here is beyond anything that the world has ever known.

The second “because”, then becomes critically significant. The joy of Revelation 19:1 is so intense because of the truth of Revelation 19:2. The truth here takes us back to another chapter nineteen in the Bible (Ps. 19:9) where its reference is to the word of God. God’s word is predictive in nature. It is unsurpassably securing in the peace that it brings. God makes no mistakes. When He says something is going to happen, it happens. The joy of this chapter in Scripture is due to the realization of what has been promised for all of time.

The serpent crusher of Genesis 3:15 has stomped His heel on the head of evil. The promised lethal blow has been delivered, and the end of history has come. The door of God’s house is opening and we are about to enter in. The joy of that moment is beyond the limited ability of finite existence to comprehend. Streets paved with gold lead us to the Master’s presence.

All earthly opinions are finally dropped away and truth alone stands. Faith gives way to sight and optimistic anticipation has been replaced with euphoric realization. Change, decay, and erosion are gone and the permanent has come. Peace has pushed anxiety into an eternal abyss never to return. A thousand earthly pleasures could not begin to compare to the joy that will be ours on that day.

In the Old Testament, the solution for sin is promised. In the New Testament, the solution for sin is revealed, and proclaimed. But at the wedding, it is enjoyed in its fullness. The righteous judgment of God for sin is realized in its fullness.

God is holy and righteous. He cannot forgive sin merely because He is nice or kind. Justice must be done. Sin must be fully paid for and it is in the death of Jesus Christ. It was on the cross that the full weight of Gods wrath for man’s sin came down. It would be unjust for the debt of sin to be paid for twice. It was paid for once in its fullness in the substitutionary life of Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect human life that we could not live. His life is applied to our credit and we are freed from condemnation.

The smoke that rises forever and ever in verse three blocks our view of evil, and we are released finally from all of the temporary consequences of our sin. Just as in an earthly marriage, a man moves from a parent/child relationship to a husband/wife relationship so too at this wedding, we move from sin and the temporary to the sinless and eternal. No wonder they shout, “Hallelujah!”

The “Because” of Heaven

Revelation 19:2

The Context of Reference—Psalm 19

A. The wisdom and power of God

B. The wish and willingness of God

C. The world and expression of man

The Content of Joy—Revelation 19

A. Hallelujah #1

B. Hallelujah #2

C. Hallelujah #3

III. The Call of Revelation

A. The Peach

B. The Pleasure

C. The Purpose