“After these things, I heard what sounded like the roar of a huge crowd in heaven, shouting, “Halleluyah! The victory, the glory, the power of our God! For his judgments are true and just. He has judged the great whore who corrupted the earth with her whoring. He has taken vengeance on her who has the blood of his servants on her hands” (Revelation 19:1-2).
Yochanan hears a huge crowd of people in heaven shouting. The Hebrew word hamon means ‘a sound or roar’ from ‘an abundance of people.’ Throughout the prophets hamon is used of a large army (Daniel 11:10). At this time, Yeshua is preparing his army –– and his Bride. The ‘roar’ from this crowd is Halleluyah! which is Hebrew for “Praise Adonai!” They praise yod-hey-vav-hey for His victory, His glory, His power, and His judgments which are true and just.
“Save us, Adonai our God! Gather us from among the nations, so that we can thank your holy name and glory in praising you. Blessed be Adonai, the God of Isra’el, from eternity past to eternity future. Now let all the people say, “Amen! Halleluyah!” (Psalm 106:47-48).
“Nevertheless, you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Isra’el” (Psalm 22:4).
‘Victory’ in Hebrew is teshuah and means ‘deliverance’ and ‘salvation.’ It is from shuah that the word yeshua or ‘salvation’ comes. ‘Salvation’ or yeshua is found 109 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. The crowd in heaven praises Adonai for Yeshua who has delivered them from the bonds of death to life.
‘Glory’ in Hebrew is kavod and means ‘honor’ and ‘dignity.’ The only One who is to receive ‘glory’ is Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, the yod-hey-vav-hey (Psalm 115:1). Kavod holds the idea of ‘coming down’ as in being ‘weighty.’ When the glory of Adonai comes down, His presence encompasses the multitude praising His Name.
‘Power’ in Hebrew is tokef and means ‘strength’ and ‘energy.’ Through the tokef of Adonai the multitudes proclaim victory through His power.
Adonai judges with true justice. The word for ‘judgment’ is mishpat sometimes translated ‘law.’ When Adonai judges, it will be based on His mishpatim, His Torah. Justice happens when people receive what they deserve. Those who shed the blood of the innocent – over the millennia – receive justice. The redeemed multitude, saturated in the glory, honor, reverence of Adonai, continue to praise Him for the justice rendered on earth.
“And a second time they said, “Halleluyah! Her smoke goes up forever and ever!” The twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, sitting on the throne, and said, “Amen! Halleluyah!” (Revelation 19:3-4).
The 24 elders along with the living beings fall down and worship Adonai. Twenty-four symbolizes the divisions of the Levitical priesthood that King David created to work in his Tabernacle. Each clan from Aaron’s sons worked for a prescribed two-week time period twice per year. Each division had a leader or elder making 24. These elders now have eternal positions in the heavenly sanctuary around the Throne of Adonai.
It is time for the judgment that the four living beings and 24 elders prepared for as they worshiped around the Throne of Adonai. The multitude now joins the living beings, and the 24 elders all shout halleluyah. The Hebrew word has the name yod-hey-vav-hey in it placing the very essence of Ehyeh Asher Ehyey into halleluYah. The Hebrew root of halleluYah is hallel which means ‘to shout aloud with joy.’ HalleluYah – Shout aloud with joy to Yah!
Hebrew Word Pictures
Hallel – הלל
ה Hey – A Window means ‘reveal’ or ‘behold.’
ל Lamed – Shepherd’s Staff means ‘urge forward.’
ל Lamed – Shepherd’s Staff means ‘urge forward.’
The Hebrew Word Picture for hallel: behold the urging foward, urging forward.
Halleluyah – הללויה
ה Hey – A Window means ‘reveal’ or ‘behold.’
ל Lamed – Shepherd’s Staff means ‘urge forward.’
ל Lamed – Shepherd’s Staff means ‘urge forward.’
ו Vav – A Nail means ‘binding.’
י Yod – Closed Hand means ‘finished work.’
ה Hey – A Window means ‘reveal’ or ‘behold.’
The Hebrew Word Picture for halleluyah: behold urging forward, urging forward, the binding finished work revealed.
“A voice went out from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great!” (Revelation 19:5).
The Hebrew word for ‘throne’ is kisseh and means ‘seat of honor,’ and is used specifically for the Throne of Adonai. A ‘voice’ goes out from the Throne. This Hebrew word is kol and is used in Genesis 3:8; the word ‘voice’ is preceded by the alef and the tav, the ‘sign’ of Yeshua being the ‘voice.’ In Revelation, however, the ‘voice’ commands praise for את Eloheinu; the command is given from yod-hey-vav-hey for all His servants, great and small, to praise Yeshua who is Eloheinu – Our God.
The Hebrew word for ‘servant’ is ebed and can be translated as ‘slave.’ Sha’ul referred to himself as a ‘slave’ of Messiah Yeshua meaning that he understood he had been ‘bought with a price’ (1 Peter 1:18-19, Romans 1:1, 1 Corinthians 6:20). He also understood that his ‘bondage’ was an eternal commitment to ‘serve’ his Savior, Messiah and King Yeshua.
“Then I heard what sounded like the roar of a huge crowd, like the sound of rushing waters, like loud peals of thunder, saying, “Halleluyah! Adonai, God of heaven’s armies, has begun his reign!” (Revelation 19:6).
The huge crowd says halleluYah again because Adonai, the God of heaven’s armies begins His reign. The praise of Yeshua’s huge army sounds like rushing waters and loud thunder. What makes water rush? Wherever water runs down hills and pours over rocks, people stop and listen. Something draws them to the sound whether it is the multiple falls of water at Iguaçu in Brasil, the water pouring over ledges at Niagra or just a simple stream stumbling over rocks in the Russian River in Alaska.
Just recently I learned that powerful negative oxygen ions are generated by crashing water. Invisible and unnoticeable, they’re tossed into the air and we breathe them in and they recharge our human batteries. Immediately, we feel refreshed; the higher the concentration of negative ions, the better it makes us feel.
The Bible compares Yeshua’s voice to the sound of ‘rushing water.’ Whether the rushing water thunders over huge cliffs or trickles in a small stream, the moving of water produces a sense of shalom, quietness, and even power. Stopping and listening to the voice of Yeshua in rushing water changes the inner man and recharges our soul.
“More than the sound of rushing waters or the mighty breakers of the sea, Adonai on high is mighty” (Psalm 93:4).
“There I saw the glory of the God of Isra’el approaching from the east. His voice was like the sound of rushing water, and the earth shone with his glory” (Ezekiel 43:2).
Hebrew Word Pictures
Water – Mayim or מים
מ Mem – Water means ‘chaos’ or ‘mighty.’
י Yod – A Closed Hand means ‘finished work.’
ם Mem – Water means ‘chaos’ or ‘mighty.’
The Hebrew Word Picture for mayim: mighty finished mighty.
The praise of the armies also sounds like loud peals of thunder. When Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh came to the top of the mountain to meet with the Israelites, there was lightning and thunder, the sound of His voice.
“God thunders wonderfully with his voice, he does great things beyond our understanding” (Job 37:5).
“The voice of Adonai is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, Adonai over rushing waters, the voice of Adonai in power, the voice of Adonai in splendor” (Psalm 29:3-4).
Wedding of the Bride and the Lamb
“Let us rejoice and be glad! Let us give him the glory! For the time has come for the wedding of the Lamb, and his Bride has prepared herself —fine linen, bright and clean has been given her to wear.” (“Fine linen” means the righteous deeds of God’s people.)” (Revelation 19:7-8).
As the armies of Adonai prepare for war, there is an intermission –– the conclusion of the betrothal ceremony at Yeshua’s Passover seder. He told his disciples that he would not celebrate Passover again until it was fulfilled in the Kingdom (Luke 22:16). The ‘appointed time’ has arrived; the Bridegroom has prepared a place for His Bride, and the Bride has made herself ready.
The Bride is not a given; it is not the whole Body of Messiah. Yeshua will not marry a child or an adolescent, but a mature woman of faith. Like Havah was made from a rib portion of his body, the Bride of Messiah is comprised of a portion of Yeshua’s Body –– the wise virgins who had oil in their lamps. The Bride of Messiah worshiped in Spirit and Truth. The Bride purified her body and soul from everything ‘unclean’ that defiles. She separated herself from a wicked, lawless world and lived blamelessly. The Bride trained herself in righteousnes. Like the Eshet Chayil, the Bride has been faithful, hard working, courageous and maturing in her faith (Proverbs 31:10-30).
“As a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, your God will rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5).
The Bride accepted the culture of her Jewish Bridegroom, loving his brothers and sisters from the Tribes of Isra’el. She kept her Betrothed’s Sabbath because he is Lord of the Sabbath. She celebrated his Father’s Feast days because they were her Beloved’s ‘appointed times.’ She ate the ‘clean’ foods he ate. For her righteous deeds, and obedience to the Word that he represented in the flesh, the Bride is given fine linen, bright and clean to wear. Her garment is not just a robe washed in the blood of the Lamb, it is a garment of sanctification representing her maturity.
“In order to present the Messianic Community to himself as a bride to be proud of, without a spot, wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without defect” (Ephesians 5:27).
The Hebrew word for ‘fine linen’ is sheshee and means ‘white’ or ‘bleached.’ Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant and is known for its pure white color (Exodus 9:31). The process to create fabric from flax is labor intensive, but when the threads are woven into garments, it is cool and remains fresh in hot weather.
The Wedding Guests
“The angel said to me, “Write: ‘How blessed are those who have been invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb!’” (Revelation 19:9).
The Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22 is prophetic for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. Many invitations were sent out, but most who received them made excuses for not coming. Some got married; others bought a cow. Many were invited, but few chose to attend. The king became angry and sent his servants to bring everyone they could find on the street corners, the poor, the lame, the good, and the bad. These wedding guests receive great blessing.
Sometimes the Hebrew word for ‘blessing’ or barak is translated ‘happy’ or ‘rejoice.’ The Hebrew word for ‘rejoice’ is gil and means to ‘spin around with emotion.’ Those who have been invited and come to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb are blessed and happy. There is great rejoicing and DANCING!
“Then he added, “These are God’s very words.” I fell at his feet to worship him; but he said, “Don’t do that! I’m only a fellow-servant with you and your brothers who have the testimony of Yeshua. Worship God! For the testimony of Yeshua is the Spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:9-10).
Yochanan is overwhelmed with the ‘words of Adonai.’ He falls at the messenger’s feet in worship. The messenger refused the worship and explains to Yochanan that he is a servant of Yeshua just like Yochanan and his brothers. He tells Yochanan to worship the Creator. Then he says that having a testimony of Yeshua is the ‘Spirit of prophecy.’
In Hebrew, the word nevuah is the noun ‘prophecy’ meaning that the prediction given is spoken or written. The word nava is the verb meaning ‘to prophesy under the influence of the divine Spirit.’ Sometimes prophecy is done with song and dancing. The Hebrew word for ‘prophets’ is nevi’im and is the ‘N’ part of TeNaK –– Torah, Nevi’im (prophets) and Ketuvim (writings) –– Old Testament.
In the TeNaK, prophets told the future through divine revelation (2 Peter 1:21). Sometimes the revelation came through a vision, a dream, an angel, inspiration of the Ruach, and even through writing when Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh gave Moshe the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). Prophets corrected the Kings of Isra’el hoping they would repent. Prophets spoke the Word into culture of Isa’el which made them outcasts. Prophets were not accepted in their home towns (Luke 4:24).
Prophets like Moshe, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Micah, Isaiah and Daniel had the ‘Spirit of prophecy’ meaning that each of them had a testimony of Yeshua; they knew him in a personal way. For those who believe that men and women of the old testament didn’t know Yeshua and have no hope of salvation; this is just not true. According to the words of the messenger, ‘the Spirit of prophecy’ in each of these men proves they knew Yeshua not as the Word in the flesh, but as the prophetic Word.
Anyone who has a testimony of Yeshua in their lives also has the ‘Spirit of prophecy.’ Testifying about what Yeshua has done in a person’s life is prophetic. Sha’ul taught that the Spirit manifests gifts to followers of Yeshua; one of those gifts is the ‘Spirit of prophecy, ‘ and he also tells women in the Body of Messiah to wear a head covering when they ‘pray or prophesy’ (1 Corinthians 11:5, 1 Corinthians 12:10). Each person is to use their ‘prophetic gift’ according to their measure of faith (Romans 12:6).
When Jacob finds out that Joseph is alive, the Scripture says ‘the spirit of Jacob’ revived (Genesis 45:18-28). In the Targum Onkelos, the word ‘prophecy’ is added to the phrase suggesting that Jacob had a testimony of Yeshua, the ‘resurrection’ of his son. It is recorded that Phillip, who shared Yeshua with the Ethiopian eunuch, had four unmarried daughters who had the ‘Spirit of prophecy’ (Acts 21:9). This means they each had a testimony of Yeshua in their life.
On Shavuot, Kefa (Peter) quoted from the prophet Joel who prophesied that one day the Spirit of Adonai would be poured out on all men (Joel 3:1). At that time, everyone from young sons and daughters to old men would dream dreams and experience visions. This is the ‘Spirit of prophecy,’ the testimony of Yeshua.
The Warrior King and His Armies
“Next I saw heaven opened, and there before me was a white horse. Sitting on it was the one called Faithful and True, and it is in righteousness that he passes judgment and goes to battle. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and on his head were many royal crowns. And he had a name written which no one knew but himself. He was wearing a robe that had been soaked in blood, and the name by which he is called is, “THE WORD OF GOD” (Revelation 19:11-13).
The rider on this white horse is the same rider from Revelation chapter 6 that went out to conquest the nations (Zechariah 14:3). When the Conqueror left, he wore one crown; when he returns, he has many crowns. The rider on the white horse is the Lion of Y’hudah, the Warrior King returning wearing the royal crowns from conquering the nations’ kings. His eyes burn like fiery flames; he wears a robe soaked in blood. The blood is not Yeshua’s blood; it is the blood of the enemies of Adonai.
The prophet Isaiah describes the day of vengeance and the year of redemption:
“Who is this, coming from Edom, from Botzrah with clothing stained crimson, so magnificently dressed, so stately in his great strength? “It is I, who speak victoriously, I, well able to save. “Why is your apparel red, your clothes like someone treading a winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the peoples [nations], not one was with me. So I trod them in my anger, trampled them in my fury; so their lifeblood spurted out on my clothing, and I have stained all my garments; for the day of vengeance that was in my heart and my year of redemption have come. I looked, but there was no one to help, and I was appalled that no one upheld me. Therefore my own arm brought me salvation, and my own fury upheld me. In my anger I trod down the peoples, made them drunk with my fury, then poured out their lifeblood on the earth” (Isaiah 63:1-6).
“The armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. And out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down nations — “He will rule them with a staff of iron.” It is he who treads the winepress from which flows the wine of the furious rage of Adonai, God of heaven’s armies. And on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:14-16).
“Listen! A tumult on the mountains — it sounds like a vast multitude! Listen! The uproar of the kingdoms of the nations gathering together! Adonai-Tzva’ot is mustering an army for war” (Isaiah 13:4).
At the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, the Bride of Yeshua was given fine linen to wear. The armies of Messiah arrive riding white horses and dressed in fine linen –– the Bride has become the Woman of Valor following her Warrior King.
Yeshua’s name is the ‘Word of Adonai‘ –– a powerful sword that will strike down nations. The Word will judge those who have rejected the Torah of Adonai. The Word will judge the nations for their lawlessness, immorality, and unrighteousness; the rejection of the ‘appointed times,’ the consumption of ‘unclean foods,’ and anti-semitism against the chosen people of Adonai.
Yeshua will rule the nations with a staff of iron because they will still refuse to submit to his authority. The Hebrew word for ‘staff’ is shebet and means ‘scepter.’ A scepter is held by a ruling King showing his authority and sovereignty (Genesis 49:10).
Yeshua’s scepter will be made of iron. The Hebrew word for ‘iron’ is barzel, a common element from ancient times. Job knew that iron was taken out of the earth (Job 28:2). The prophet Isaiah describes how a blacksmith works with iron (Jeremiah 44:12, 54:16). Sha’ul says that hypocritical liars have had their consciences seared as if with a ‘red-hot branding iron’ (1 Timothy 4:2). Iron was used for many objects including weapons and armor. Iron symbolizes fortitude and strength. Yeshua is going to judge the nations of the earth with fortitude and strength until he destroys all of his adversaries.
Hebrew Word Pictures
ב Bet – A House means ‘house or ‘family.’
ר Resh – A Head means ‘highest authority.’
ז Zayin – A Weapon means ‘divide’ or ‘cut.’
ל Lamed – Shepherd’s Staff means ‘urge forward.’
The Hebrew Word Picture for barzel: house of highest authority divided urging forward.
Yeshua will “tread the winepress from which flows the wine of the furious rage of Adonai.” A winepress in Biblical times consisted of two containers placed at different elevations. The grapes were put in the higher one where they were stomped on. The resulting juice flowed into the lower container. According to the prophet Isaiah, the containers were cut out of rock (Isaiah 5:2). As the furious rage of Adonai comes upon the earth, nations will be put in the higher part of the press and they will be tred upon by Yeshua until their blood flows down to where it is collected in the bottom container.
On Yeshua’s robe and his thigh a name is written, not tattooed. As High Priest and King of El Elyon, he will continue to uphold the Torah (Numbers 15:37-38). He will have tzizit on the four corners of his garment. The tzizit are tied with knots with two different numerical meanings: ‘Adonai is Echad’ or the Tettragrammaton, yod-hey-vav-hey. As King Messiah returns victorious on his white horse, the tzizit will rest on his thigh revealing his name as ‘One’ with yod-hey-vav-hey.
Hebrew Word Pictures
Fringe, tassel – tzizit – ציצת
צ Tzade – A Fishhook means ‘draw near.’
י Yod – A Closed Hand means ‘finished work.’
צ Tzade – A Fishhook means ‘draw near.’
ת Tav – Crossed Sticks means ‘sign’ or ‘covenant.’
The Hebrew Word Picture for tzizit: draw near the finished work, draw near the covenant.
“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds that fly about in mid-heaven, “Come, gather together for the great feast God is giving, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of generals, the flesh of important men, the flesh of horses and their riders and the flesh of all kinds of people, free and slave, small and great!” (Revelation 19:17-18).
Standing in the sun, a messenger cries out to the birds flying in mid-heaven. Mid-heaven refers to the highest point from where the sun ascends in the east and descends in the west. Since this prophecy centers around Jerusalem, it would be ‘high noon’ when the birds gather for the feast of flesh.
The messenger’s words fulfill the prophecy given to the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:19-20). It is the final battle when all the dead become food and drink for the birds and wild animals. They will gorge themselves on the flesh remains of kings, princes, generals, important men, horses and their riders, free men and slaves, and young and old, and drink their blood until they are drunk (Ezekiel 39: 11, 17).
The place for all of the graves will be in the Travelers’ Valley. This area, east of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River, was once occupied by Moab, but became the land inheritance for the Tribe of Gad before crossing into the Promised Land (Numbers 32:16-19). Gad, means ‘good fortune,’ but has also come to mean ‘troops’ or ‘horde.’ Ezekiel prophesies that Gog and his rebellion will include every nation on earth, not just a few in the Middle East surrounding Isra’el and will be defeated by ‘troops.’
“I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to do battle with the rider of the horse and his army. But the beast was taken captive, and with it the false prophet who, in its presence, had done the miracles which he had used to deceive those who had received the mark of the beast and those who had worshipped his image. The beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword that goes out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh” (Revelation 19:19-21).
Yochanan sees the beast and the anti-messiah gather the kings of the earth and their armies to make war with King Yeshua and his immortal armies. The beast will be taken captive along with the false propeht and thrown into the ‘lake of fire tha burns with sulfur.’ Those who took the ‘mark of the beast’ and worshiped his image will join them in the ‘lake of fire.’ The rest of the nations will be killed by the Warrior ‘Word of Adonai’ who rides the white horse.
Birds will gorge themselves on the flesh of the dead. In Hebrew, the word for ‘birds’ is ba’ali hakanaf or ‘winged ones.’ The birds that consume human flesh will be ‘unclean’ birds of prey created to clean up dead carcasses: eagles, vultures, ospreys, kites, buzzards, ravens, owls, seagulls, hawks, pelicans, storks, herons, hoopoes, and bats (Leviticus 11).
Chapter 20 – The First Resurrection
© 2020 Tentstake Ministries Publishing, all rights reserved. No copying or reproducing of this article without crediting the author or Tentstake Ministries Publishing.