The Justice of the End and the Joy of the Beginning
In the final pages of Scripture, we are brought into the heavenly courtroom and the wedding feast of the Lamb. Revelation 19 and 21 seem to speak of two vastly different moments: the downfall of Babylon—the great harlot—and the glorious marriage of Christ and His bride. And yet, both scenes pulse with the same heartbeat: the righteous and loving character of God. Today, we ask: how can judgment and joy both reveal the same holy love? And what does this marriage mean for us?
God’s Righteousness in Judgment (Revelation 19:1–3):
"After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, 'Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just...'"
The fall of Babylon—the symbol of corruption, idolatry, and oppression—is not simply a political or moral downfall. It is the collapse of everything that has exalted itself against God and harmed His creation. God does not judge out of spite. His justice flows from His love—for the oppressed, for truth, for His own holiness. The harlot’s end is not merely punishment—it is purification. God is making space for the new, for the bride.
Justice is love refusing to let evil go unchallenged. It is the voice of heaven crying, “Enough!” God is not cold in judgment; He is passionate to restore. The end of Babylon is the beginning of something beautiful.
The Marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6–9):
"Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready..."
Here is the joy: a wedding. The harlot, who symbolized unfaithfulness, is gone. In her place stands a Bride—pure, radiant, loved. And the Groom? The Lamb who was slain, who gave Himself for her, who washes her robes white in His blood.
The marriage imagery here is intimate and permanent. It is the fulfillment of covenant, the union of heaven and earth, Christ and His people. It’s not just a ceremony—it’s the full restoration of relationship. The feast celebrates more than a new beginning; it celebrates a long-awaited homecoming.
This is not a story of destruction but of redemption. God’s plan was never just to destroy the old, but to bring forth the new.
The Hope of a New World (Revelation 21:1–4):
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.'"
Here, heaven touches earth. The marriage of Christ and His Bride results in more than personal salvation—it brings about the renewal of all things. Every tear wiped away, death no more, mourning turned to dancing. This is not wishful thinking—it is the sure promise of the One who sits on the throne and says, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
The Assurance of Our Hope:
How do we know this is not a fantasy? Because the Groom has already come. Christ has already died, already risen, already ascended. The cross was His vow. The empty tomb, His promise. And the Holy Spirit, our engagement ring—the seal of what’s to come.
The marriage supper is not merely a future event—it is already breaking in. Every time the Church gathers in love, every act of faith, every whisper of worship, we are dressing for the wedding.
When Everything is Done
In the end, Revelation 19 and 21 are not two stories, but one. The fall of Babylon and the rise of the Bride are the twin expressions of God’s holy love. He will not share eternity with evil—but He will gladly share it with His people. The marriage of the Lamb is the promise that God does not just save us from something—He saves us for something: communion, celebration, and life with Him forever.
So let us rejoice. The harlot is gone. The Bride is ready. The Groom is coming. And the feast is about to begin. Amen.
More: Sabbath School Lesson 3: Images From Marriage
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