Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
I have said it many times since the very start of 2020 and leading into the COVID “plandemic” 2020 was a year that would change the world. The Bible is clear that the last days will be known, among other things, as a time of great deception (Matthew 24:24, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:3). Additionally, the Antichrist will be the Master of Deceptions during this day to come (cf. 2 John 1:7-11, 1 John 2:22, Daniel 11:36). This is the time that the world is actively heading to in our day and there are mass deceptions happening in the world to bring about the last of Daniel’s 70 sevens; the 7 Year Tribulation.
Among the many deceptions of 2020 was the uprising against injustice. It was late May and the world was attempting to emerge from mass lockdowns. There were protests starting at state capitols demanding the draconian measures put in place in an illegitimate and pointless attempt to control a virus that was intentionally released. President Trump was leading our nation and preparing to run for a second term. Something that many powerful democrats and globalists were willing to do anything to prevent.
On May 25, 2020, a man by the name of George Floyd attempted to buy food at a deli in Minneapolis, MN with a counterfeit $20 dollar bill. The Police responded to investigate and through a series of events that remain unclear, Floyd is handcuffed and placed on his stomach with Officer Derek Chauvin holding Floyd down with his knee on Floyd’s neck. Almost 10 minutes later, Floyd stops moving and EMS is called. Floyd is taken to the hospital where he dies.
The public outcry was overwhelming and the cry was for justice. In the days and weeks following Floyd’s death, there were cries for justice for George Floyd. Despite swift action by local, state, and federal authorities against the four officers involved in Floyd’s death, a tide of violence swept through our nation with protests in all 50 States as well as countries around the world. There were cities across the United States that literally burned because of the anger.
It also became clear that there was more to this than meets the eye. Riots were clearly being fueled by left-wing groups. Truckloads of items to be used for rioting appeared on street corners from out of nowhere. People were being flown around the country to engage in these riots including people who were trained to enrage the crowds. Many who were arrested for the violence were out of state and charges were mysteriously dropped. A total of 19 People were killed during the riots.
Around the country, School names and street names were changed. Statues of historical American people were indiscriminately torn down. Anything that was labeled as racist was a target for removal or cancelation, including syrup, toys, cartoons, books, and TV shows. There were moves to rewrite or even erase American history that gained momentum. Marxists organizations like BLM gained notoriety and power.
I bring all of this up because I have a great concern. I was upset by the way Floyd was treated by the police. It shouldn’t have happened. However, there are deceptions that are underlying this situation and the subsequent reaction by people. It is obvious that this was at the least perpetuated by outside forces, both demonic and political; if not staged from the very beginning. However, there is something more that we need to be aware of as Christians.
Out of all of this, particularly what happened in 2020 with COVID and the riots as a result of Floyd’s death, the church has been seduced and divided. We have followed after a false god named Baal. The Bride of Christ has taken to infidelity so easily. There is a mountain of well-meaning believers mixed with false teachers and Christ-less people who are using our world as a construct to build a false religion centered around social justice. The Church has followed after Baal to pursue sociological, environmental, and immoral. We live under a man-made earthly religion that believes our job is to fix the injustices; to fix the world.
This false system goes by names like “Woke” or “Kingdom Now” and others. It is the belief that our job as Christians is to right the wrongs done to us and others. The problem with these vain philosophies is that they ignore vast amounts of Scripture, doctrine, and understanding of what the Church is to do. Yes, we are told to stand up for the poor and oppressed (Prov 31:8-9), but never does the Bible instruct us to see revenge. instead, we are told to live our own lives justly and await the coming of the Lord who will set things right
He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does Yahweh require of you But to do justice, to love lovingkindness, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, (Romans 12:9)
For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” (Hebrews 10:30)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ 39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. (Matthew 5:38–39)
The truth we live by in our lives is that there will be a day when God will come as judge. He will punish the wicked for their deeds and injustices. We are to keep our eyes fixed on Him and wait for the day when the perfect Judge will come and set things right. That’s not our job, that is His job alone. Our job is to point people to Him in faith.
God takes His stand in the congregation of God; He judges in the midst of gods. 2 How long will you judge unrighteously And show partiality to the wicked? Selah. 3 Give justice to the poor and the orphan; Justify the afflicted and destitute. 4 Protect the poor and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They do not know and do not understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High. 7 “Nevertheless you will die like men And you will fall like any one of the princes.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is You who will inherit all the nations.” (Psalm 82)
This brings us to our study for tonight. We are at the end of the 7-year tribulation. The Church has been raptured during these 7 years as God’s judgment is unleashed. Throughout the Book of Revelation, we have seen at every turn the supremacy of Christ. He alone came to the Churches. He alone, the Lamb of God, was worthy to take the scroll, the title deed to the universe. He alone unrolls the scroll, and unleashed judgments to the world as the 7 seals are unfurled. Then come the 7 trumpets and 7 bowls.
Through all of this time of God’s judgment, God is also saving those who will come to Him. Following the last bowl we saw the destruction of the false religion of Babylon and the false economic system of Babylon. The entire world system that we see being constructed today will be laid in waste. Nothing will be left as God’s judgment comes to a climatic end. This brings us to Chapter 19
Revelation 19:1-6 “1 After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; 2 BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her sexual immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS SLAVES shed BY HER HAND.” 3 And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER.” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His slaves, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” 6 Then I heard something like the voice of a great crowd and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”
The first 6 verses of Revelation 19 are a chorus of Hallelujahs. What are they rejoicing about? The final destruction of the world’s evil system, the judgment of evil, the judgment of unbelieving sinners, and the establishment of the victorious kingdom of Jesus Christ. This is the moment that all of human history and the angels in heaven have been waiting for. This is the whole purpose of why we’ve studied this so diligently over the last several months this book. The coming of Christ, the destruction of this evil world system, and the final victory of Jesus Christ over Satan are certain and imminent.
And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within, and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” 9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, (Revelation 4:8–9)
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” (Revelation 5:11–12)
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.” (Revelation 18:20)
So while the earth is gasping for its final breath, heaven is rejoicing. Now, as we move through the beginning of Chapter 20, that rejoicing continues at a feverish pitch; heaven bursts into a series of Hallelujahs over the death of the earth. Sounds kind of strange to you that there would be this kind of rejoicing. Some would view this as loveless, insensitive, and uncaring. But remember, the gospel has been preached to every nation, tribe, and tongue by the church. During the tribulation, we’ve seen angles, witnesses, and multitudes going and warning people in supernatural ways to turn away from this world.
This is our job today. We’re not called to be social justice warriors and take up causes to save the earth. We’re called to preach the whole gospel of Christ in order to turn people away from the judgment that is coming very soon. We’re looking forward to the final victory of Jesus over this wicked world, that’s where our minds need to be and this is where our focus needs to remain.
So in verses 1-6, we see 4 Hallelujahs coming from heaven. Verse 1 is heaven’s Hallelujah for God’s salvation. Verse 3 is heaven’s Hallelujah for God’s justice. Verse 4 is heaven’s Hallelujah for the end of the satanically-led rebellion. And Verse 6 is the eternal reign of Christ.
This is all of heaven. Rev 19:1 “1 After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God;” Can you imagine? The Bible tells us there are at least 200 million demons. If 1/3 of the angels in heaven fell, that means there are 400 million angels in heaven giving praise to God in Revelation 19:1. That’s not including the saints and other living creatures.
Look at why they’re rejoicing, because of God’s salvation over us - over you. Heaven is rejoicing. The person who confesses with their mouth and believes in their heart that Jesus is Lord is saved from this judgment that has just taken place and heaven is rejoicing over every human saint. Does that include you? I hope so.
“Let sinners be consumed from the earth And let the wicked be no more. Bless Yahweh, O my soul. Praise Yah!” (Psalm 104:35)
Revelation 19:2-3 “2 BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her sexual immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS SLAVES shed BY HER HAND.” 3 And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER.”
Justice is finally met. There is a level of foolishness for all those who are clamoring for justice on a human level. We need to be saying to the world, get ready for the coming justice of God. Those who are oppressing others for whatever reason, abusing their power, and doing these injustices. They will one day face the Almighty. That will be a great and mighty day and as we will see in a few weeks when we come to Chapter 20, it will be righteous justice.
“And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His slaves, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” (Revelation 19:4-5)
Now, the 24 Elders on the third Hallelujah give an affirmation of the rejoicing that echoed in heaven. Amen, “So be it.” and then they join in with Hallelujah
The great battle between good and evil is finally won. Do you remember the pictures of soldiers at the end of World War Two when victory was officially declared? There were people in the streets celebrating. The war that caused so much death and suffering was over. Can you imagine how much greater it will be in heaven? The awful persecution of the saints on earth is finished. God is now setting things right.
“Then I heard something like the voice of a great crowd and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” (Revelation 19:6)
There is one last great shout of Hallelujah. The greatest victory belongs to Christ alone. It always has and it always will. The rejoicing in heaven is because the age of Christ’s reign on earth as the rightful King has begun.
Hallelujah is Hebrew for “Praise the Lord,” saying it in the imperative sense. It is an encouragement and an exhortation to Praise the Lord! For centuries the church has prayed. “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is the moment that prayer is answered. As his Kingdom comes, justice will be given out.
If you are here without Jesus as your Savior that means that you refuse to fall down before God but one day you will anyhow. Even those that die without Christ will fall before Him, but they will then be cast into the Lake of Fire. Christians, you have been given so many things to praise God for. Are you?
