The scene in John's vision of the future moves from earth to heaven. The corrupt global government and trade system has been destroyed by those who supported it (Revelation 17:14-18); but they also destroyed the infrastructure of communication and civilisation (Revelation 18:9-11). The big lie, of the benefits of living without God and against Christ, has been exposed: nothing is left (Revelation 18:18-19).

The woes of the world are in stark contrast to the joy of heaven (Revelation 18:19-20). The great multitude might be angels but more probably the already-in-heaven church (Revelation 7:9). The chorus of praise is directed to the God of all power in whose hands are salvation and judgement (Isaiah 51:5). He has rightly identified all the evil motivated by a disregard of God and a hatred of Jesus Christ and His church. The seduction of power and wealth dragged the world into a downward spiral of encouraging others to go against God's Word and persecute God's people. Their only way out of catastrophic judgement would have been to confess their sin and receive Jesus as Saviour – but they refused to do so, right to the end (Revelation 16:9-11).

Much believing blood will have been spilt by then, but every drop will be accounted for, not by human revenge but by divine vengeance (Revelation 16:5-7). Their lives' sacrifice will be vindicated. God will honour all those who have honoured Him (1 Samuel 2:30). What a reason for all heaven to erupt in praise. The smoke from the ruins of this failed attempt to defy God will never cease (Isaiah 34:10; Revelation 14:11); its eternal destruction will also praise Him in His justice. The representatives of the Old and New Testament churches, and the senior angelic beings fall down in awe at the powerful acts of God who keeps His Word. That cry is to be echoed through earth too, wherever His servants are true to His Word.

Hallelujah is a Hebrew word only found in Revelation (19:1, 3, 4, 6), meaning 'Praise Yahweh' (its Greek equivalent is Alleluia). This is a word of glad acceptance that the Lord does all things well. In a world, and sometimes church, of confused messages and mixed agendas, it is a relief to know that the Lord is in command and that He always has the last word. No sacrifice is unnoticed or unrewarded. As the world rolls towards its appointment with Jesus, Revelation reminds us that the highest privilege of mankind is to glorify God (Daniel 4:37). His acts of judgement evoke praise because they are demonstrations that He has the power to keep His Word in punishing wrong; and that His Word clearly outlines what is right and wrong.