Conclusion of Praise Jah For His Judgments!

In an earlier vision, John saw around the throne four living creatures, together with the 24 elders that picture the Kingdom heirs their glorious heavenly position. (Revelation 4:8-11) Now he sees them again as they thunder forth a third hallelujah over the destruction of Babylon the Great: "And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God seated upon the throne, and said: 'Amen! Hallelujah!' " (Revelation 19:4) This grand Hallelujah chorus is in addition, then , to the "new song" of praise to the Lamb. (Revelation 5:8/, 9) They sing now the magnificent victory refrain, ascribing all glory to the Sovereign Lord Jehovah because of his decisive victory over the great harlot, Babylon the Great. These Hallelujahs peal forth far more melodiously than any Hallelujah choruses sung in Christendom's churches, where Jehovah, or Jah, has been dishonored and despised. Such hypocritical singing that reproaches Jehovah's name in now silenced forever!

It was in 1918 that Jehovah began rewarding 'those fearing his name, the small and the great'-the first of these being the anointed Christians who had died faithful, whom he resurrected and stationed in the heavenly ranks of the 24 elders. (Revelation 11:18) Others join with these in singing the Hallelujahs, for John reports: "Also, a voice issued forth from the throne and said: 'Be praising our God , all you his slaves, who fear him, the small ones and the great.' " (Revelation 19:5) This is the "voice" of Jehovah's Mouthpiece, his own Son Jesus Christ, who stands "in the midst of the throne." (Revelation 5:6) Not only in heaven but also here on earth, "all you his slaves" share in the singing, with the anointed John class taking the lead one earth. How exultantly these share in obeying the command: "Be praising our God"!

Yes, those of the great crowd are also numbered among these slaves. Since 1935 these have been coming out of Babylon the Great and have experienced the fulfillment of God's promise: "He will bless those fearing Jehovah, the small ones as the great ones." (Psalm 115:13) When harlotlike Babylon is destroyed, millions of them will join in"praising our God" -along with the John class and all the heavenly host. Later, those resurrected on earth, whether previously prominent or now, will no doubt sing further Hallelujahs on learning that Babylon the Great is gone forever. (Revelation 20A:12, 15) All praise to Jehovah for his resounding victory over the age-old harlot!

What an incentive all of this gives us to share fully in God's work for today! May all of Jah's servants devote themselves heart and souls to declaring God's judgments, together with the grand Kingdom hope, now, before Babylon the Great is unseated and destroyed. -Isaiah 61:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Next time: 'Hallelujah - Jehovah is King!'

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society,1988