Some can remember VE Day, the day when Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in May of 1945. Others recall the collapse of Communist rule in East Germany and the fall of the Berlin Wall in November of 1989. We feel such joy and relief when wars end, such satisfaction when tyrants finally receive the justice they deserve.

But none of these great celebrations can hold a candle to the rejoicing that will take place when the Lord returns. For the joy of VE Day soon turned into mourning as the Iron Curtain of Communism snuffed out the light of liberty “from Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic.” And while the Soviets may no longer hold sway over Eastern Europe, Russia is massing troops on its border with Ukraine. Until Jesus returns, the wicked will continue to seduce and oppress the faithful. There will always be another war.

But one day, the angels and saints and apostles and prophets will witness the full and final destruction of every godless civilization that sets itself up in opposition to Christ. One day, God’s true and just judgment will be meted out on those who corrupt the earth with immorality and who shed the blood of those who belong to Christ (18:24, 19:2). And there won’t be another war after that, because there won’t be any more tyrants who arise to disturb the peace of the earth with their violent ambitions – no, the smoke of the great, godless civilizations of the world will go up forever and ever (19:3).

So the rejoicing of that day will put the celebrations of VE Day and the Fall of the Berlin Wall to shame. For on that day, heaven and earth will join in praise to God for bringing perfect justice to the world. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 18:20-19:4 (ESV)

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;
22 and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,
23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
3 Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”