Revelation 19:1-9: A Modern Bible Commentary

Praise in Heaven for God’s Judgments (Rev. 19:1-5)

In Revelation 19:1, the term “Hallelujah” is recognized as a transliteration of the Hebrew halleluyah, meaning “Praise the LORD.” This is the only chapter in the New Testament where “Hallelujah” appears, emphasizing its significance in the heavenly worship scene. Why is this the only chapter occurring this exaltation?

There could be several reasons for this. For example, it marks the climax where God is ultimately victorious over Babylon, the sinful city which is often categorized as the meta-narrative for all who opposes the heavenly realm. Moreover, we are seeing a transition from judgment to the anticipation of the marriage supper of the Lamb found in Revelation 19:6-9, which is a glorious event.

The phrase, “salvation and glory and power belong to our God,” reflects a common structure in Hebrew poetry, often linking God’s attributes to His actions, particularly His judgments and redemptive works. Psalm 62:11-12 reiterates this: “Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing is upon your people. Also, Isaiah 40:10-11 exclaims: “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms.”

Moreover, in verse 1, The “great multitude” recalls earlier descriptions in Revelation (7:9-10), symbolizing the collective voice of redeemed humanity and possibly angelic beings, praising God’s ultimate triumph over evil. As you can recall from Genesis, God called one man out, Abram, and told him he would bless him and turn his offspring into a great nation. Even more than this, God’s plan went beyond Israel to every tribe, tongue, and nation that would trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:5-11).

Finally, the imagery of multitudes praising God echoes Old Testament scenes, such as the celebration of God’s deliverance in Exodus 15:1-21 and the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 106:1). It also reflects Roman and Jewish traditions of communal acclamation, where victories were celebrated with loud, public declarations of honor and glory. This verse sets the tone for the chapter, anchoring the celebration in God’s sovereign power and justice.

In verse 2, God’s word says, “for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

The terms “true” (ἀληθινός, alēthinos) and “righteous” (δίκαιος, dikaios) emphasize God’s moral purity and the perfect justice of His actions. This reflects the Hebrew concept of God’s justice, as seen in Psalms where God’s righteousness is praised (Psalm 7:9, Psalm 33:4).

“True” points to God’s judgments being consistent with His nature and revealed will, while “righteous” underlines that God’s decisions are morally perfect, aligning with His character. These two attributes will not change. Psalm 119:160 says, “The sum of your Word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” Unlike human beings who change their mind or aren’t consistently true and righteous, God upholds these attributes daily.

The “great prostitute” being discussed here is Babylon. This phrase is symbolized by idolatrous systems of the world who reject God and His commands. The city further represents pride, moral decay, sensualities, and the carnal mindset. Isaiah writes about it: “You said, ‘I will be queen forever,’ but you did not consider these things or reflect on what might happen. Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.’ These two things will come upon you suddenly in one day: loss of children and widowhood (Isa. 47:7-9).”

Isaiah 47’s prophecy against Babylon, historically fulfilled by the Persian conquest led by Cyrus the Great in 539 BC, vividly depicts the downfall of a once-proud empire that trusted in its own strength, wisdom, and idolatry. The city’s sudden collapse, marked by the humiliation of its rulers and the ineffectiveness of its occult practices, underscores the futility of pride and reliance on false gods.

While this event was a clear historical judgment against Babylon, it also symbolizes a greater theological truth: God’s sovereign rule over all earthly powers and His ultimate victory over evil. Just as Babylon’s idols failed to save the city from God’s judgment, all earthly kingdoms and false systems of power will ultimately fall before God’s righteous and eternal reign, as depicted in the heavenly visions of Revelation. The fall of Babylon serves as both a historical warning and a symbol of God’s overarching authority, affirming that no earthly power or idolatry can stand against His divine will.

As we saw from Revelation 17:14 that ultimately God reigns victoriously over Satan, hell, Babylon, and all who oppose his rule. God’s word exclaims: “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” The Lamb of God is the one who will reign forever and ever on his throne for eternity. And whereas Babylon will become a widow who loses all her children, the Lord will be a husband who marries his bride and has a multitude of believers who will enter into the heavenly gates.

Revelation 19:3 declares, “Again they shouted: ‘Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.’” This verse follows the declaration of God’s judgment on the great prostitute and serves as a profound expression of heavenly praise. The phrase “Hallelujah,” meaning “Praise the Lord,” echoes a victory chant, underscoring the triumph of God’s justice over evil.

The destruction of evil is not a sorrowful event but is an occasion for celebrating. In fact, most people complain about the suffering in this world is too great to believe in a omnibenevolent God. However, the Bible makes it clear that the judge of all the earth shall do right. He will wipe away all of our tears and bring back justice and avenge the evildoers.

One of the most notable passages in Scripture that prophesy this event is found in Zephaniah 3:14-15: “Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.” This is a reminder that the defeat of evil is a cause for praise.

Furthermore, the imagery of “the smoke from her goes up forever and ever” references the eternal nature of the judgment placed upon the great prostitute, symbolizing the irreversible and permanent destruction of Babylon (or any power opposed to God). The smoke rising perpetually serves as a symbol of God’s judgment that will never be undone, emphasizing the permanence of divine retribution.

This image connects with Old Testament depictions of God’s wrath, such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, where the smoke of their destruction rose as a lasting reminder of divine judgment. In the New Testament, Jesus said: “They will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Matt: 25:45). He also warns sinners, “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. Where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

Revelation 19:4 states, “The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: ‘Amen, Hallelujah!“

This verse follows the declaration of God’s righteous judgment, and the scene now shifts to a moment of worship in heaven. The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures, who represent the fullness of creation and the redeemed people of God (the elders), respond to God’s justice with worship and praise.

Many scholars view the twenty-four elders as a symbolic representation of the redeemed Church, both from the Old Testament and New Testament. The number twenty-four may be symbolic of completeness, with twelve representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Old Testament saints) and twelve representing the twelve apostles (New Testament believers). The elders, therefore, could be seen as representing the totality of God’s people.

Another theory comes from the Old Testament. For example, in 1 Chronicles 24:1-19, King David organizes the priests into twenty-four divisions to serve in the Temple. This structure may be symbolically echoed in Revelation, where the number twenty-four represents a complete, ordered group of representatives from God’s people, whether from Israel or the Church.

Their actions—falling down in worship—demonstrate complete reverence and submission to God’s sovereignty, recognizing His authority over all judgment and history. The phrase “Amen, Hallelujah!” is a powerful affirmation of God’s righteous actions, showing that heaven wholeheartedly agrees with God’s judgment and the defeat of evil.

In Revelation 19:5, we read: “And from the throne came a voice saying, ‘Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great.”

This verse is a call to universal praise in response to God’s righteous judgment and the victory over evil, signified in the previous verses. The voice from the throne, likely God’s or an angelic proclamation, summons all of God’s servants to praise Him.

The inclusiveness of this command is noteworthy—“all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great”—emphasizing that no one is exempt from this act of worship. Whether one is a servant of God who is high in rank or lowly in status, all are called to worship and give glory to God for His justice, power, and sovereign reign.

The worshipers are described as those who “fear him”. The “fear of the Lord” is a recurring biblical theme, often associated with reverence, awe, and submission to God’s authority. In the Old Testament, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10).

In this context, the fear of God is not about terror but about recognizing His holiness, sovereignty, and justice, particularly in light of the judgment that has just occurred (the fall of Babylon and the ultimate defeat of evil). The fear of God leads to a reverent and obedient heart that acknowledges His rightful place as the ruler of all.

One of the most powerful scenes in Scripture that teaches adoration to the king in fear comes from Isaiah 6:1-5: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. ‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’

Isaiah’s vision of God leads him, a holy and righteous man, to his knees. He realizes how unclean he is, which catapults him to a state of glorifying the Lord For His cleanliness and perfection. When we experience the power of Almighty God, it’s easy to become awestruck with a fear that leads to worship.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-9)

We are now at the apex of Revelation because it marks the culmination of God’s plan for both judgment and redemption. Let’s read verses 6-7: “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”

In Revelation 19:6, the immense praise of a great multitude breaks forth as a declaration of God’s triumphant rule. This is not a mere sound but a resounding, overwhelming chorus that echoes the victory of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and the completeness of His reign. Described as “the roar of rushing waters” and “loud peals of thunder,” this praise reflects the power and majesty of God’s final triumph over all evil and His establishment of eternal justice.