December 24: Revelation 19
Heaven Rejoices
19 After this I heard what seemed to be the roar of a great multitude of voices, saying:
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power to our God!
2 All his judgments are right and true,
For he has judged the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality.
He has avenged on her the blood of his lovingservants.”
3 And again they shouted:
“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her destruction goes up
forever and ever!”
4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell facedown and worshiped God, who sits on the throne, saying in agreement:
“Amen! Hallelujah!”
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
“Praise our God, all you his loving servants
and all who reverence and honor him—
those who are lowly and those who are great!”
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the thunderous voice of a great multitude, like the sound of a massive waterfall and mighty peals of thunder, crying out:
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns![a]
7 Let us rejoice and exalt him and give him glory,
because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come.[b]
And his bride has made herself ready.[c]
8 Fine linen, shining bright and clear,
has been given to her to wear,
and the fine linen represents
the righteous deeds of his holy believers.”[d]
9 Then the angel said to me, “Write these words: Wonderfully blessed are those who are invited to feast at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!” And then he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
10 At this I fell facedown at the angel’s feet to worship him, but he stopped me and said, “Don’t do this! For I am only a fellow servant with you and one of your brothers and sisters who cling to what Jesus testifies. Worship God. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”[e]
The Bridegroom-King on the White Horse
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and suddenly a white horse appeared. The name of the one riding it was Faithful and True,[f] and with pure righteousness he judges and rides to battle. 12 He wore many regal crowns,[g] and his eyes were flashing like flames of fire. He had a secret name inscribed on him that’s known only to himself.[h] 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title is called the Word of God. 14 Following him on white horses were the armies of heaven, wearing white fine linen, pure and bright. 15 A sharp sword came from his mouth with which to conquer[i] the nations, and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter.[j] He will trample out the wine in the winepress of the wrath[k] of God. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he had inscribed a name: King of kings and Lord of lords.
The Wild Beast Defeated
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to all the flying birds of the sky, “Come and gather for God’s great supper! 18 Come and devour the flesh of the kings, generals, and soldiers, the flesh of horses and their riders, the flesh of all people, slave or free, lowly or famous.”
19 Then I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to wage war against the rider on the white horse and against his armies. 20 The wild beast was captured, as was the false prophet who had performed miracle-signs in his presence. (It was by these miracle-signs that he had deceived those with the mark of the wild beast and those who worshiped its image.) The wild beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur, 21 and their armies were killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the white horse. And all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh.