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| 1 After these things I heard as a loud voice of a great multitude in the heaven, saying, Hallelujah: the salvation and the glory and the power of our God: |
After these things – Indicating a new vision.
I – The John class, the church in the flesh during the time of our Lord's second presence.
Heard – Not with our literal ears but with the ear of faith. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit sayeth unto the churches." - Rev. 2:11,17,29; 3:6,13,22
A great voice – A proclamation in the name of God (see Bible Topics Loud Voice.)
Much people – Strong's 4183 & 3793. This is the exact phrase used to describe the "great multitude" in Rev. 7:9 and also here in 19:6.
In heaven – In June 1916 Pastor Russell applies this to"The church systems of today" - R5911:12.
Heaven, as a symbol, represents the power of spiritual control. As to whether it refers to the Nominal Heaven or to the True Heaven must be determined by the context. And so it is here - so read on.
Alleluia – "Praise ye Jah." Jah being a shortened version of Jehovah, the name of God.
What follows here are things ascribed to "our God." These are "Salvation, Glory and Power." As near as we can determine it appears that "Honor" is not part of the original text.
In the Greek, the article 'ho' is used before each of these, thus the expression should be "The Salvation and the glory and the power..."
Salvation -- This is what is proclaimed by the Great Company in Rev. 7:10.
Glory – The glory of person and of office that has been earned by our Lord.
Honour – Apparently this word is not in the original text.
Power – The same as in Rev. 4:11 where it seems to be applied to our Lord Jesus.
This is the only place in Revelation where this combination is used, i.e., "salvation, glory, honor, power." The combination of "glory, honor and power" are used in Rev. 4:11; 5:12; 7:12. - It is noteworthy that in this last reference the context also involves the "great multitude."
The places in Revelation that use "glory and honour" together (other than those already referred to) are: Rev. 4:9; 5:13; 21:24,26.
Unto the Lord our God – The RVIC is better here. It says that these "belong to our God."
The question here is "to which God does this apply?" It does NOT say to "the God" (ho theos) as in John 1:1. So does this refer to Jehovah, who has always had these, or does it refer to Jesus who gained them after his resurrection.
If this refers to Jesus then it could have the additional meaning that the Great Company class finally recognizes the reign of Christ but may have had difficulty seeing this fact before this point in time.
The following texts may have a bearing in this discussion: Eph. 1:19-22 (esp. vs 21); John 5:22. |
| 2 for true and righteous are his judgments; for he has judged the great harlot which corrupted the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his bondmen at her hand. |
Brother Russell applies vs 1,2 to the time after Babylon's fall: "Only then will the people realize their wonderful deliverance, and that her overthrow was by the hand of God." D40:1Here he says "the people" would realize.., as opposed to saying "the Great Company..."
True and righteous are his judgments – This is part of "The Song of Moses and the Lamb." At this point the Great Company has now learned at least this part of that song. The difference is that the church class was already singing this in the early part of the harvest. See Rev. 15:2-4. The great company have waited too long to learn this song. That is (at least in part) why they are great company and not little flock.
Hath judged the great whore – Past tense.
Which did corrupt the earth – It was indeed that great counterfeit system, Papacy, the union of church and state claiming to be the true Kingdom of Christ - Christendom, that corrupted the earth - organized society under religious restraint. - R498:8
With her fornication – By the false church not waiting for her true husband, Christ, but instead married the kings of the earth.
Hath avenged the blood of his servants – This is a clear reference to Rev. 6:9-11. The vengeance of God is shown in the 7 last plagues. This reference cannot possibly be prior to the beginning of the pouring out of these plagues.
This reference is in the Past tense. This would seem to indicate a time after the 7th plague has been poured out. It is then that the Great Company, now having lost their place in the little flock, comes out of the great tribulation.
At her hand – I.e., at the hand of the false religious system. She is the one who sponsored the great persecutions of the Lord's people throughout the Gospel Age. see Vol. II Study IX. |
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| 3 And a second time they said, Hallelujah. And her smoke goes up to the ages of ages. |
They – The great company (vs. 1).
Allelulia – "Praise Jah" - Praise Jehovah.
Her – Babylon's smoke, especially the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth.
Smoke – Remembrance, evidence of her burning, her destruction.
For ever and ever – For the ages of ages (see Topic: "The Reign"). What this verse is saying is that the lessons learned of false worship and its results will last for all time.
Compare this with Isa. 34:9-10. |
| 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and did homage to God who sits upon the throne, saying, Amen, Hallelujah. |
Twenty four elders – Old Testament (especially the prophetic writings - see Rev. 4:10).
Four beasts – 4 living creatures, the 4 attributes of God. see Rev. 4:7.
Allelulia – "Praise Jah" - Praise Jehovah. |
| 5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his bondmen, and ye that fear him, small and great. |
A voice – We are not, in this verse, told who is here speaking. However, it becomes a simple matter to make the determination when we look at verses 7-10. The voice is that of Pastor Russell.
Came out from the throne – In R275:7 (Food for Thinking Christians - Explanation of the Chart) Br. Russell equates this to pyramid w (on plane K), shown as being between 1881 and 1914. However, he then goes on to indicate this takes place after the church has gone onto its full reward in glory.
Praise our God – Another "Allelulia" ("Praise Jah" - see vss 3,4)
According to Wescott and Hort the Greek here is, while not correct English, 'praise our the God [ho theos].'
His servants – See Topical study "His Servants."
Ye that fear him – Those that reverence him. This would seem to include all those who were represented in the camp of Israel surrounding the Tabernacle, i.e., all those of mankind who are desirous of being close to God. T18:1
Both small and great – This occurs in Rev. 13:16 and 19:18.
After searching for this phrase elsewhere in scripture it appears obvious that this is a way of referring to every class of people.
An additional thought has here presented itself, i.e., that the groups that are here referred to as included in "both small and great" are of the world of mankind and do not include either the Little Flock or the Great Company. The Little Flock have already been referred to by the phrase "His servants." So why not include the Great Company? It is because they seem to be the ones who are here speaking (see Additional comments for vs 1 and also vs 3.) |
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| 6 And I heard as a voice of a great crowd, and as a voice of many waters, and as a voice of strong thunders, saying, Hallelujah, for the Lord our God the Almighty has taken to himself kingly power. |
I – John, the church in the flesh during the parousia of our Lord.
Heard – "To him that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches." Rev. 2:7,17
As it were – This might be better translated 'as.' - "I heard as the voice.." - Compare this verse in the following translations: BBE, Darby, ISV, MKJV, YLT.
The voice – The message.
Great Multitude – The Great Company.
The voice of many waters – New Albany suggests: �the group formerly known as 'every tribe and tongue and people and nation' -- the sea class of humanity. Now they have the prospect of stability so that 'there will be no more sea.'� ( 21:1)
See how the scriptures use this phrase - The Voice of Many Waters.
As the voice of mighty thunderings – The only other place (in English) which uses the phrase "mighty thunderings" is Exo. 9:28. The one who uses this phrase is pharaoh when he is pleading with Moses to have the 7th plague (hail) cease. In this case, from Pharaoh's standpoint, it is the LORD who is thundering.
Psa. 18:13; 1 Sam. 2:10
Since this voice of thundering is associated with the voice of God, we suggest that the scene here is that the Great Company is shown here after the Gospel Age is concluded and they are now in the heavenly realm. They are to be associated with the Christ in the Kingdom work. Their voice is coming now with the authority of the Throne.
Alleluia – "Praise Jah" - Praise Jehovah.
The Lord God – Jehovah, through His appointed representative, Christ Jesus.
Reigneth – "Thy God Reigneth" - Isa. 52:7. |
| 7 Let us rejoice and exult, and give him glory; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. |
Us – The Great Company.
While in A86:3 Br. Russell applies this to the world in the next age, most of the time he applies it to the Great Company.
Be glad and rejoice – Even though we did not attain to the position of the Little Flock, we are grateful for the Lord's great mercy towards us in granting us life in the spirit plane.
Give honour to him – Because of this great mercy, how can we (the Great Company) do otherwise?
The marriage of the lamb is come – No longer is it the time for the earthly humiliation of the Christ, and no longer is it the time for the church to be absent from her Bridegroom, but NOW the time has come for the long-awaited heavenly union to take place!
His wife has made herself ready – The church is no longer described as in a waiting, developmental state. She has finished her development and has now "made herself ready."
It should be noted that it does not say "His bride has made herself ready." The church is already His wife. Since accepting of His proposal (Psa. 45:10-11) the church has been His wife. This follows the Jewish custom which declares that the man and woman are husband and wife from the moment of their betrothal. At that time, the husband goes away and prepares a place for her. When he returns, the marriage takes place. |
| 8 And it was given to her that she should be clothed in fine linen, bright and pure; for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the saints. |
To her – To the true church.
Was granted – This is a free gift. The power to become of the Bride class and to overcome does not lie within us of our own skill. We are completely dependent upon the Lord for the Robe of Righteousness to cover our sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us understand so that we may develop the character to be pleasing to Him. ALL we have is given to us gratis.
Arrayed in fine linen – Not our own filthy rags (Isa. 64:6) but instead the clean and beautiful 'Robe of Righteousness.' (Isa. 61:10; Zech. 3:5-8)
Clean and white – Robe of Righteousness. SM254:2 **[It is worth reading the paragraph here referenced.]**
The fine linen is the righteousness of saints – There is an implication here. Normally we think of the white linen as being the Robe of Christ's Righteousness, that which is given to the spirit-begotten as a covering for the sins of their fallen flesh. But here it is applied to the saints in glory. These no longer need His righteousness as a covering for they are now spirit-born new creatures. What is granted to them is their own righteousness! - R2159:2 |
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| 9 And he says to me, Write, Blessed are they who are called to the supper of the marriage of the Lamb. And he says to me, These are the true words of God. |
He saith – The words come from Pastor Russell, the 7th Messenger to the Church.
Blessed are they – The Great Company.
Which are called – Are invited.
Unto the marriage supper – Not the marriage itself but the marriage supper. In other words, those who are thus invited are not the bride but are instead the bridesmaids.
Of the Lamb – "The lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29.
This expression reminds us that it is not the marriage of the Bride that is so important but that the focus is on the Lamb. And that is as it should be. We have nothing of value of ourselves. All we have is thanks to our heavenly Bridegroom.
This thought is further supported by considering that it was Abraham's servant who was sent to find a bride for Isaac. It was NOT a servant that was sent to find a husband for Rebekah.
True sayings of God – The fact that this is mentioned here suggests that there are "sayings of God" that appear NOT to be true. -- How can this be? Remember that we have seen the woman who made all nations drunk with the wine (false doctrine) of her fornication. What she put forth as being "the Word of God" was often false, i.e., NOT true. Most notably "the abomination that maketh desolate" (the setting up of the Mass) and the idea that she was the spiritual part of Christendom (Christ's Kingdom - falsely so-called). - compare with Dan. 2:43. |
| 10 And I fell before his feet to do him homage. And he says to me, See thou do it not. I am thy fellow-bondman, and the fellow-bondman of thy brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Do homage to God. For the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. |
I – The John class, the church in the flesh during our Lord's second advent.
Fell at his feet to worship him – This was the standard way in ancient times to show great respect to a King. It may be motivated by fear or by love or by respect.
He – Pastor Russell, the Seventh Messenger, the 'angel.' (see additional comments Rev. 1:1)
How do we know that this angel is Pastor Russell? - Not only because of the reference in Rev. 1:1, but especially by the remainder of his response in this verse.
He said unto me – i.e., Pastor Russell said unto the church in the flesh in his day.
See thou do it not – This is what we might call a 'no-brainer.' When the Law was given to Israel (Exo. 20:2,3) the first commandment was "I am the LORD thy God... Thou shalt have no other Gods before me."
Please see Q77:2-4.
To correctly follow the next statements we need to keep in mind Rev. 1:1.
I am thy fellowservant – Compare this to Rev. 1:1. In that verse the saints throughout the Gospel Age are referred to as "His servants." - Please see mini-study "His Servants."
The word used for 'servants' in Rev. 1:1 is Strong's 1401. The word used here for 'fellowservant' is Strong's 4889 which comes from Strong's 4862 (with or together) and 1401, thus identifying this individual as being one of the little flock, specifically: the 'angel' of 1:1.
And of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus – This seems to be a special reference to the John class for it is indeed the John class that has this testimony of Jesus. They have it because it has been delivered to them by an angel, this angel, the seventh angel (messenger) Pastor Russell. This is the same angel mentioned in Rev. 1:1.
Worship God – Exo. 20:2,3
The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy – Please see R2845:6
We are not to think that "our opinion" on a prophetic picture is enough. According to 2 Pet. 1:16-21 (especially vs 20) the only way to understand prophecy is through the Holy Spirit. No private interpretation is acceptable.
This is a definite rebuke by our Lord Jesus to those who seem to think that prophecy is of little importance. |
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| 11 And I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and one sitting on it, called Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war in righteousness. |
I – The John class, the Little Flock during the time of our Lord's second presence.
Saw – Symbolically, mentally, i.e., I understood.
Heaven opened – Spiritual understanding came to the John class. For places where we see 'heaven opened' consider Mal. 3:10 and Matt. 3:16.
A white horse – The pure doctrines of Present Truth.
He that sat thereon – The rider or director of these wonderful doctrines, i.e., our Lord Jesus.
Called Faithful and True – This clearly is our Lord who had, at His first advent, proven Himself to be both Faithful and True to God and to His Word.
In righteousness – Of course in righteousness. There seems to be a necessity here of reminding the saints of this fact.
He doth judge – The judgments of Christ are righteous judgments. There is no mistake when He condemned Christendom (see Rev. 18:2-8 and onward.)
And make war – The 'Great War' (a.k.a. World War I) was a great puzzle to most who named the name of Christ. We need to keep in mind the fact that this was God's way of eliminating the false system which had defied Him for centuries, calling itself 'Christendom' - Christ's Kingdom!
The fact that this false doctrine (that the kingdoms of Europe were to be considered by men as being the Kingdom of Christ) was such an incredible affront to our Heavenly Father that He determined to destroy it so thoroughly as to "leave them neither root nor branch." - Mal. 4:1.
To get a better idea of just how thorough this destruction is please see this 2004 article. |
| 12 And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head many diadems, having a name written which no one knows but himself; |
His eyes were as a flame of fire – Describing a piercing, burning, penetrating stare. This is one of the graphic descriptions of our Lord from chapter 1.
Many crowns – Perhaps describing the fact that He is now King of Kings. As He is the rightful king of earth and is now (especially since the Gentile lease of power ran out, 1914) exercising that power, he has all their crowns as well as His own.
The many crowns may also have reference to the fact that the Church is also with Him. Since they are united to Him in glory this may also be referred to here as the many crowns.
He had a name written – This is similar to what the church has, i.e., their Father's name written in their forehead (Rev. 7:3-8; Rev. 14:1.) Compare also to Rev. 2:17 where a new name is given to the overcomers of the Gospel Age.
No man knew but he himself – Since this is speaking of our Lord it would seem that none of us could know it while we are still in the flesh. However, there are still some other possibilities. It says "no MAN" knew this name. The church is not treated by our Lord as being men but as being New Creatures in Christ. If that is the case there may be some scriptural possibilities as to what this name is. We suggest a couple:
In vs. 16 we are told that he has "a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
In Jer. 23:6 He is given a name: "The righteousness of Jehovah." - This is the same name given to the church in Jer. 33:16.
There are some nice comments on this from Br. A.D. Jones - R328:6 |
| 13 and he is clothed with a garment dipped in blood; and his name is called The Word of God. |
He – Our Lord Jesus.
Clothed with a vesture – The word 'vesture' is Strong's 2440 and is translated elsewhere in Revelation as either 'garment' or 'raiment.' This is the same word that is translated as 'robe' in John 19:2,5 where the soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus.
Dipped in blood – It is dipped in blood from treading the winepress. Isa. 63:1-3. - This gives us the time setting. Please see additional comments on Rev. 14:20, specially note the section on 1600 furlongs.
His name – Our Lord's name.
Is called – Note. It does not say "His name is" but "His name is called"
The Word of God – The LOGOS of God. This is the name He had with the Father before He became a man. - See John 1:1.
Our Lord has many names and all of them are appropriately His. |
| 14 And the armies which are in the heaven followed him upon white horses, clad in white, pure, fine linen. |
The armies which were in heaven followed him – This would seem to be, primarily, the glorified saints.
Upon white horses – Riding pure doctrines.
Clothed in fine linen, white and clean – "For the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." - see vs. 8. |
| 15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp two-edged sword, that with it he might smite the nations; and he shall shepherd them with an iron rod; and he treads the wine-press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. |
Out of his mouth – The word of the Lord is sharper than a two-edged sword. Heb. 4:12. See also Isa. 11:4. |
| 16 And he has upon his garment, and upon his thigh, a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. |
He – Our Returned and glorified Lord Jesus.
On His vesture – His (Jesus') vesture - his cloak. Remember, according to the reference in verse 15 he is treading the winepress. According to Isa. 63:1-6 it is the blood from his treading the winepress that is on his garments.
He began to tread the winepress Aug. 1, 1914. - Please see additional comments for Rev. 14:20.
King of Kings – This would seem to have special reference to the 1914-18 period, for it is during this time that our Lord now had the crown "given to him whose right it is." It was at this time that we still had kings ruling in Christendom. Once we get past 1918 we are hard pressed to find any real kings in Europe (other than those who are merely figure-heads, as, for example, the king of England.) |
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| 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, Come, gather yourselves to the great supper of God, |
I saw – The John Class (church in the flesh during second advent) is the only group that actually sees this.
An angel standing in the sun – Our returned, glorified Lord Jesus, standing (Dan. 12:1) in the light of the glorious Gospel. Compare Rev. 1:16; 10:1; 12:1.
Cried with a loud voice – Please see Topical study "Loud Voice".
Saying to all the fowls .. heaven – These are the unclean and hateful birds of Rev. 18:2.
Gather yourselves together – Here it is at the Lord's invitation. In other places it is the Lord commanding them, as in Rev. 16:16.
Please compare this with Zech. 1:7-9. – see also A315 |
| 18 that ye may eat flesh of kings, and flesh of chiliarchs, and flesh of strong men, and flesh of horses and of those that sit upon them, and flesh of all, both free and bond, and small and great. |
The flesh – This seems to say the worldliness of these various ones. That is to say that captains, mighty men, horses, etc. have worldly ideas, worldly doctrines etc. That seems to be what is devoured. |
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| 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army. |
I saw – The John Class (church in the flesh during second advent) is the only group that indicated as seeing this.
The beast – Papacy.
The kings of the earth – Not just any kings but the kings of organized society under religious restraint, i.e., the kings of Christendom (falsely so-called.)
And their armies – Of supporters.
Gathered together – There is nothing here that indicates these kings and their armies gathered willingly. It is our understanding that it is the Lord who, through the sixth plague (Rev. 16:12-16), did the gathering.
Please also see the Expanded Bible Comments for this phrase.
To make war – There is nothing here that directly indicates that these groups are conscientiously aware that they are fighting against the Lord and His heavenly armies, however, their true leader (the adversary) is aware of it.
Against him that sat on the horse – Against our returned Lord, riding upon the Truth of God's Holy Word.
And against his army – His followers. Please see vs. 11 and on to through vs 16. |
| 20 And the beast was taken, and the false prophet that was with him, who wrought the signs before him by which he deceived them that received the mark of the beast, and those that worship his image. Alive were both cast into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone; |
The beast – Papacy.
The false prophet that wrought miracles before him – Compare to Rev. 13:13,14. This makes it seem that "the false prophet" is the same as "the two-horned beast." However when we remember that it is this two-horned beast (the Church of England and Ireland) that gives life to the Image of the Beast, we then realize that in giving this life or vitality, the two-horned beast is giving its "wonder" working power to the Image of the beast.
From 1538 to 1871 --333 years --the title of the church was "The Church of England and Ireland," thus recognizing both horns." On January 1, 1871 (by action of parliament and the consent of the Queen, the head of the church) the Irish Church was disestablished, or that horn cast off. R320
Based on the above quote it is our understanding that the two-horned beast is no longer in existence.
Our thought is that this 'false prophet' is organized sectarian Protestantism. This then reminds us of what takes place with the 6th plague using the three (dragon - civil power, beast - Papacy, false prophet - Protestantism) coming together and bringing Christendom (falsely so-called) to Armageddon, they being split apart by the 7th plague (Rev. 16:19) back into its component parts.
Wrought miracles – Perhaps the most obvious 'miracle' that was presented was that the Kingdom of Christ had already been set up, i.e., Christendom (falsely so-called.)
Them that had received the mark of the beast – Please see Additional Comments for Rev. 13:16-17. Our thought is that, while this mark may encompass many things, it primarily represents the doctrine of the trinity, for none can buy nor sell in the nominal spiritual marketplace (without being considered a heritic or part of a cult) without believing in this false doctrine.
These both – Beast (Papacy) and False Prophet (Protestantism) are not destroyed. They remain but their influence is greatly reduced. The people will never again believe that they, along with the civil power (dragon) actually constitute the Kingdom of Christ.
Were cast alive – Not dead, but alive. Still existing.
This is an important point. This explains why the Papacy and the Protestant systems are still around. They have indeed been cast into the lake of fire (permanent destruction) and will never rise again (Nahum 1:9-10), yet they are still to be found in the crumbled remains of what once was Christendom (falsely so-called.)
Into a lake of fire – Their destruction is certain, even though it take a long time to fully accomplish that destruction. It is our thought that they were cast into the lake of fire in 1914. |
| 21 and the rest were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which goes out of his mouth; and all the birds were filled with their flesh. |
The remnant – That which remains. So what remains? At this point we see the beast (papacy) and the false prophet (protestantism) have been cast into the lake of fire. What remains is 'them that had received the mark of the beast (Papacy) and them that worshipped his image (Protestantism).' These are those that form the 'remnant.' They all have the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:11-18 - belief in the Trinity) in either (or both) their right hand (giving their strength in support of) or their forehead (intellect).
Were slain – Please see additional comments under 'slain' in Rev. 6:9 - see also R2416:16
With the sword – The word of God. - Heb. 4:12 It is the Truth that slays these because they have been so established in their false doctrines of Trinity, Divine Right of Kings, Church and state is Christ's Kingdom, etc.
Of him that sat upon the horse – They were slain by our Returned Lord. No matter what the outward appearance may seem, it is really our Lord Jesus who is doing this work of slaying.
Proceeded out of his mouth – Remember that, not only does the Truth proceed from the mouth (mouthpiece - 'that servant') of our Lord, but that also Babylon has been 'spued out of his mouth' back in 1878.
All the fowls – Those unclean birds of Rev. 18:2.
Filled with their flesh – With their worldly ideas (flesh) so that there is even more of the spirit of the world in them than prior to their being cast off and prior to the destruction of mystic Babylon. |