Revelation 19:1-5

In chapters 17-18, John was shown the spiritual truth about Babylon — what she is rather than who she is: idolatry, the worship of self, wealth, and power; all kingdoms that have operated in this spirit, risen on the back of the devil. This spiritual Babylon has always been here to corrupt, destroy, and control — the kingdom the devil tries to establish in the world, trading even in human souls. But God is going to utterly destroy not only its physical existence but its spiritual power and authority. This leads us to chapter 19 — a celebration, not just over Babylon's destruction, but because there is going to be a wedding.¶

Hallelujah¶

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; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants."

Revelation 19:1-2 (ESV)¶

We have met this great multitude before — in chapter 7, the innumerable multitude from every nation in white robes (Revelation 7:9-10), which I and many believe is the church in heaven during these times. Now we hear them crying "Hallelujah!" The church, the bride, rejoicing over the righteous judgment of the great prostitute. Isn't this the deepest longing of our hearts — to stand with God as he judges righteously, to know the corrupters and destroyers of life have been judged? My children sometimes have bad dreams and come looking for comfort; what they really want is for the monsters to be taken away and the sun to rise. This is why the believers in heaven rejoice: God has not only brought comfort and rest, but is dealing with the very thing that has tried to corrupt and steal our peace since sin entered through Adam. How can we not rejoice when the Judge of the world is on our side (Romans 8:31)? And he is our avenger — "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord" (Romans 12:19-21) — so we can hand our injustices over to a God who keeps perfect accounts.¶

The meaning of Hallelujah¶

Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever."

Revelation 19:3 (ESV)¶

"Hallelujah" in this one-word form is used only four times in the whole Bible — all in Revelation 19, the only place it appears in the New Testament. In the Old Testament it appears as two words, halal (praise/rejoice) and Yah (the name of God). It is interesting that in the Old Testament there is a separation between the ones who praise and God — but here the two words become one: the praisers are with God. Halal is also used once to mean "given to marriage" — which is the very next thing we see: the marriage supper of the Lamb. Hallelujah is the praise of God and the marriage of God — when the praisers come together with the one they praise, when the bride becomes one with the Groom. A wedding was always the plan: the marriage of heaven and earth, of flesh and spirit, of love and judgment (Ephesians 1:9-10).¶