Rev 19:6-7 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude . In , he says that he "heard a great voice of much people;" here he says he "heard as it were a voice of great multitude." That is, in the former case he heard a shout that he at once recognised as the voice of a great multitude of persons; here he says that he heard a sound not distinctly recognised at first as such, but which resembled such a shout of a multitude. In the former case it was distinct ; here it was confused--bearing a resemblance to the sound of roaring waters, or to muttering thunder, but less distinct than the former. This phrase would imply (a) a louder sound; and (b) that the sound was more remote, and therefore less clear and distinct. And as the voice of many waters . The comparison of the voices of a host of people with the roar of mighty waters is not uncommon in the Scriptures. . So in Homer-- "The monarch spoke, and straight a murmur rose, Loud as the surges when the tempest blows; That dash'd on broken rocks tumultuous roar, And foam and thunder on the stony shore." And as the voice of mighty thunderings . The loud, deep, heavy voice of thunder. The distant shouts of a multitude may properly be represented by the sound of heavy thunder. Saying, Alleluia . . This is the fourth time in which this is uttered as expressive of the joy of the heavenly hosts in view of the overthrow of the enemies of the church. The occasion will be worthy of this emphatic expression of joy. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth . Jehovah--God Almighty--the true God. The meaning is, that as the last enemy of the church is destroyed, he now truly reigns. This is the result of his power , and therefore it is proper that he should be praised as the omnipotent or Almighty God -- for he has shown that he can overcome all his enemies, and bring the world to his feet. (a) "for the Lord"

Revelation of John 19:6-7

Verse 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude. In Rev 19:1, he says that he "heard a great voice of much people;" here he says he "heard as it were a voice of great multitude." That is, in the former case he heard a shout that he at once recognised as the voice of a great multitude of persons; here he says that he heard a sound not distinctly recognised at first as such, but which resembled such a shout of a multitude. In the former case it was distinct; here it was confused--bearing a resemblance to the sound of roaring waters, or to muttering thunder, but less distinct than the former. This phrase would imply

(a) a louder sound; and

(b) that the sound was more remote, and therefore less clear and distinct.

And as the voice of many waters. The comparison of the voices of a host of people with the roar of mighty waters is not uncommon in the Scriptures. Isa 17:12 Isa 17:13. So in Homer-- "The monarch spoke, and straight a murmur rose,

Loud as the surges when the tempest blows;

That dash'd on broken rocks tumultuous roar,

And foam and thunder on the stony shore."

And as the voice of mighty thunderings. The loud, deep, heavy voice of thunder. The distant shouts of a multitude may properly be represented by the sound of heavy thunder.

Saying, Alleluia. Rev 19:1. This is the fourth time in which this is uttered as expressive of the joy of the heavenly hosts in view of the overthrow of the enemies of the church. The occasion will be worthy of this emphatic expression of joy.

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Jehovah--God Almighty--the true God. The meaning is, that as the last enemy of the church is destroyed, he now truly reigns. This is the result of his power, and therefore it is proper that he should be praised as the omnipotent or Almighty God-- for he has shown that he can overcome all his enemies, and bring the world to his feet.

(a) "for the Lord" Ps 97:1,12 Verse 7. Let us be glad and rejoice. Let all in heaven rejoice--for all have an interest in the triumph of truth; all should be glad that the government of God is set up over an apostate world.

And give honour to him. Because the work is glorious; and because it is by his power alone that it has been accomplished. Rev 5:12.

For the marriage of the Lamb is come. Of the Lamb of God--the Redeemer of the world. Barnes on "Re 5:6". The relation of God, and especially of the Messiah, to the church, is often in the Scriptures represented under the image of marriage. Isa 54:4, seq. Isa 62:4, Isa 63.5; 2Cor 11:2, Eph 5:23,seq. Compare Jer 3:14, 31:32, Hos 2:19-20. The idea is also said to be common in Arabic and Persian poetry. It is to be remembered also, that Papal Rome has just been represented as a gay and meretricious woman; and there is a propriety, therefore, in representing the true church as a pure bride, the Lamb's wife, and the final triumph of that church as a joyous marriage. The meaning is, that the church was now to triumph and rejoice as if in permanent union with her glorious head and Lord.

And his wife hath made herself ready. By putting on her beautiful apparel and ornaments. All the preparations had been made for a permanent and uninterrupted union with its Redeemer, and the church was henceforward to be recognised as his beautiful bride, and was no more to appear as a decorated harlot--as it had during the Papal supremacy. Between the church under the Papacy, and the church in its true form, there is all the difference which there is between an abandoned woman gaily decked with gold and jewels, and a pure virgin chastely and modestly adorned, about to be led to be united in bonds of love to a virtuous husband.

(b) "marriage" Mt 25:10 (c) "ready" Isa 52:1