This past summer, we celebrated the marriage of my oldest daughter Kristen. The weather was perfect. The flowers seemed extra colorful. A harpist played superbly. And my daughter was a beautiful bride. God was honored and glorified in the vows being exchanged and in the ceremony as a whole. It was an extraordinary and memorable experience!

Yet, even as a proud father, I have to admit that an even more glorious wedding day is coming. In the larger structure of the book of Revelation, we will see that praise brackets the final judgments. In chapter 15, the Tribulation martyrs give glory to God for what is about to happen—the seven bowls of judgment in chapter 16, and the fall of Babylon in chapters 17–18. In Revelation 19, a “great multitude” gives glory to God for what has happened.

Heaven praises God for His just judgments, including the downfall of Babylon, the “great prostitute” (vv. 1–4). Her persecution of God’s people has been avenged. “The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever”—her destruction is an eternal testimony to God’s power and justice. The 24 elders and four living creatures cry “Amen!”

Next, a call to praise from God’s throne itself is resoundingly answered (vv. 5–8). A great shout, “Our Lord God Almighty reigns,” rings out across heaven. They are rejoicing not only over the end of something ugly but over the imminent arrival of something beautiful: “The wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” Christ is the groom; His bride is His church. The church is dressed in “fine linen, bright and clean.” These are “the righteous acts of God’s holy people” (see Eph. 2:8–10). Those invited to this wedding supper are blessed indeed (v. 9; Isa. 25:6–9; Matt. 22:1–14).

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