Revelation 4:8-11 (New International Version)
8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
Revelation 7:9-12 (New International Version)
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying:
"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
The Texas Rangers won the American League Baseball Championship last night. Hurrah! High fives all around, right? There was ample reason for celebration last night and Rangers fans celebrated. from about the middle of the 5th inning on through the end of the game and beyond. Why? Because the Rangers are making history this year. Never in the history of the franchise has Texas gone this far in the post season. This is a moment worthy of celebration. North Texans are proud of ‘their’ teams accomplishments.
Why this nod to the Texas Rangers today? I wanted to direct your attention to the fan’s celebration. It’s corporate and participatory. In essence, There is a sense of camaraderie. This is not many individuals celebrating individually. This is many individuals becoming of one mind, celebrating as a single entity. This is common in sporting events. You have the You might have the seven friends who each painted and individual letter on their chest to spell R-A-N-G-E-R-S. You might witness something like a ‘wave’ where whole sections of people stand and sit in a coordinated fashion so as to create the appearance of motion around a stadium. The list goes on.
The text of today’s lesson points to a worship or celebratory environment like that. The psalmist exhorts his listeners to celebrate the Majesty and the Magnificence of God. Clapping, shouting, singing, dancing… this is a parade. An organized, synchronized, corporate assembling of many nations to celebrate our Lord. A celebration. We celebrate weddings, anniversaries, babies, graduations, any number of events. We do this as an acknowledgement of events in our lives that are praise worthy. This weeks lesson points to the nation of Israel praising God in like manner and encourages the Church (you and I) to do likewise. Go to Church and celebrate the Lord corporately this week. Sing, dance, shout, clap,…participate. God is truly worthy of our celebratory praise.
Blessings,
wb
Revelation 7:13-14 (Amplified Bible)
13 Then, addressing me, one of the elders [[a]of the heavenly Sanhedrin] said, Who are these [people] clothed in the long white robes? And from where have they come?
14 I replied, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation (persecution), and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.(A)
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