English
After these things I heard something like the loud sound of a large multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Hallelu Yah. The salvation and glory and power to our god, because his judgments are true and just, because he judged the great whore who ruined the earth with her sexual immorality and he avenged the blood of his slaves from her hand.’
And they said a second time, ‘Hallelu Yah. And her smoke rises for ever and ever.’
And the twenty-four elders fell down and the four animals worshiped God, the one sitting on the throne, saying, ‘Amen. Hallelu Yah.’
And a voice came from the throne, saying, ‘Praise our god, all his slaves and those who fear him, small and great.’
And I heard something like the sound of a large multitude, like the rushing of many waters, like the boom of strong thunders, saying, ‘Hallelu Yah, because our Lord God the Almighty reigns. We will rejoice and celebrate and give him glory, because the lamb’s marriage has come, and his bride made herself ready, and she was given bright, pure fine linen to dress in’ (since the justices of the holy ones are the fine linen).
Interpretation
The lament from chapter 18 turns to celebration for the destruction of Rome. The author reuses typical doxology, as well as the threat of eternal torture previously seen in chapter 14. The picture of the holy community being married to the Anointed One has similarities in New Testament texts, and derives from the common idiom in the Hebrew Bible that Israel is the wife of Yhwh.
Parallels
Psalms
79.10 Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their god?’ Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes.
106.1 Hallellu Yah! O give thanks to Yhwh, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Isaiah
17.12 Ah, the thunder of many peoples, they thunder like the thundering of the sea! Ah, the roar of nations, they roar like the roaring of mighty waters!
Testament of Levi
18.14 all the holy ones shall be clothed in righteousness.
Joseph & Asenath
4.1 they saw her adorned like a bride of God.
Psalms of Solomon
11.7 Put on, Jerusalem, the garments of your glory; prepare the robe of your sanctity, for God has spoken good concerning Israel forever and ever.
2 Corinthians
11.2 I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to the Anointed One.
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