The merciful news God's impending judgment through an unwilling prophet compels repentance.

John sees two great suppers. One supper is a joyful marriage feast for the Church (Rev 19:9). The other supper is a feast of judgement for the wicked (Rev 19:17–18). In between both suppers, a Rider on a white horse comes to wage a righteous war. A person's presence at either supper depends on a person's posture towards the righteous Rider. This is the story of the General and the Groom. "Worship God" (Rev 19:10).

In Revelation 18, John captures the fall of mighty Babylon with a musical dirge of doom and a paean of praise. The prosperous and self-sufficient Babylon is doomed for destruction. As heaven and earth witness God's justice fall upon Babylon, saints and angels erupt into praise: "Rejoice . . . O heaven, you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!" (Rev 18:20; 19:1–5). But God's justice against Babylon not only calls for our praise, it also calls for our holiness: "Come away from her, . . . or you will be punished with her" (Rev 18:4).

In Revelation 17, John sees a provocative picture of a woman and a formidable picture of a beast. They entice and pressure people with beauty and power to love the world, pictured as Babylon the great. Yet as Jeremy Meeks explains the point of Revelation 17 is simply this: "Wrong can't win because the Lamb can't lose." "They will make war on the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with him are called and chosen and faithful" (Rev 17:14).

As history comes to an end in Revelation 16, so does God's patience with impenitent sinners. As the seven bowls are poured out, God pours out the fullness of his wrath (Rev 16:1). But the outpouring of his righteous wrath leads to an outpouring of praise from his people: "Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments! . . . Blessed are all those who remain alert looking for Christ!" (Rev 16:15).

The tomb was open. The body of Jesus was missing. His followers were grieved, and no one believed. Could anything move grieving, rational women and men from doubt to trust?