Revelation 19:7 - Exposition

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him. Alford reads δώσομεν , "we will give," with א , A. P, 36; but the T.R. δῶμεν , "let us give," which is found in א , B, 1, 7, 38, Vulgate, Cyprian, Primasius, is to be preferred. For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready . This is somewhat anticipatory; the full vision of the bride of the Lamb is reserved until Revelation 21:1-27 . But the rejoicing over Babylon and the harlot naturally suggests the allusion to Christ's faithful Church, just as the vision of Revelation 7:1-17 . is suggested by the concluding words of Revelation 6:1-17 . "The marriage of the Lamb" is the figure under which is depicted that complete union between Christ and his faithful Church, which will be consummated at the last day, when Satan has been overcome and sin destroyed. It stands in contrast with the fornication of the harlot—the union of the spiritually unfaithful portion of Christ's Church with the powers of the world (see on Revelation 17:1 , Revelation 17:2 ). Alford remarks, "This figure, of a marriage between the Lord and his people, is too frequent and familiar to need explanation (cf. in the Old Testament, Isaiah 54:1-8 ; Ezekiel 16:7 , etc.; Hosea 2:19 , etc.; and in the New Testament, Matthew 9:15 ; Matthew 25:1 , etc.; John 3:29 ; Ephesians 5:25 , etc.)." This symbol of the wife or bride indicates the redeemed, who have already in several places been alluded to in this book ( Revelation 7:9 ; Revelation 12:1 ; Revelation 14:1 ; Revelation 17:14 , "they that are with him"). The saints have made themselves ready by enduing themselves with the robe of righteousness ( Revelation 6:8 ).