Bible Discussion Thread

The first few verses describe as chapter 18 did the destruction of the city of Babylon "the great whore" (v. 2). Verse 7 talks about the marriage of the Lamb; with the wedding supper in verse 9. The scene in front of the throne here as well as the timing seem almost identical to what we see in Revelation 5. We need to keep in mind that not everyone will be present wearing the garments of white until the last saint appears in heaven; so this likely shows the Resurrection of all the Tribulation saints along with the church who were raised 7 years before. This brings in mind the parable of the Ten Virgins and associated verses as to the reference both to the Second Coming and Rapture. We need to remember that Israel itself isn't as a nation going to repent until the final destruction on Israel where half of the city is taken in Zechariah 14:2. Just because the Tribulation saints aren't in the dispensation of the church where the Spirit works within the Body as at present; that doesn't exclude the rest of the believers from being members of a corporate Body who all need white garments of righteousness. (Verse 8). All true saints; therefore must bring forth fruit. God may deem martyrdom necessary to procure that; particularly in the days when Christ will be known to all and seen by the world (once again; indicated by the scene in Rev. 6:16-17. John 20:26-29 shows those who have NOT seen are blessed; and the Rapture certainly would be a reward in that sense.

Verse 10 also brings up a theme repeated in Revelation 22:9 where he tries to worship someone other than God (in the other case an angel). This should cause us to take pause to realize that the glorified bodies of the saints will be quite overwhelming.

The rest of the chapter; of course relates to the Second Coming of Christ and the immediate victory He has over the armies of the earth. More on that in the next post.