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 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!”

6 And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.

8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

— Revelation 19:4-8

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad.

— Psalm 97:1

15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”

17 saying: “We give thanks to You, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.

— Revelation 11:15, 17

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

John in Revelation 19:4-5 recorded a second chorus of “Hallelujah” rising from the inner circle of worshippers who surround God’s throne with perpetual praise. He saw 24 elders and four living creatures affirm God’s righteous judgment with a confident cry of “Amen, Hallelujah!” The worshippers at God’s throne express absolute agreement that all God’s acts are just and good, and all of God’s attributes are praiseworthy. This hallelujah chorus celebrates the fulfillment of God’s purpose because the long series of judgment has ended in the Lamb’s complete triumph.

Thereafter a third hallelujah chorus echoes as a great multitude shouts praises to the Lord God Almighty. Whether this praise rises from angels of God’s redeemed people, all shout with one voice, “Our Lord God Almighty reigns.” At this time heaven’s inhabitants rejoice and glorify God because “the wedding of the Lamb has come.” The bride is ready and dressed in clean garments as her marriage to the Lamb is announced. The bride of the Lamb is God’s holy people, Christ’s Church, the redeemed God-trusting believers who the Lamb purchased by laying down His life for her at the cross!