Best. Worship. Ever.

Daily Reading: Revelation 6-7

Scripture Focus: Behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes , with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice… (Revelation 7.9-10)

Devotional Thought:  What will it be like in heaven?  We can look to that "great multitude that no one could number" in Revelation 7...

·       Standing before the throne:  In chapter 6, the question was asked, "Who can stand" at the judgment?   It is answered in chapter 7: Those whose souls are redeemed and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb can stand with confidence and assurance before a holy God.

·       Clothed in white robes:  That great multitude was not confident in anything but the righteousness of Christ.  We will find ourselves in heaven only because of what Jesus has done for us and in us.  So, we will stand before him with humility and in purity.

·       With palm branches in their hands:  When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the great crowd welcomed him as the one bringing salvation.  They waved palm branches before him in celebration.  In heaven we will worship with palm branches, proclaiming “Hosanna!  God saves!”  Heaven will be a time of celebration!

·       Crying out with a loud voice:  Can you imagine the roar – the decibel level – of a crowd of that magnitude?  The ‘sound man’ at church sometimes goes around the sanctuary with a decibel meter, measuring the volume.  I think he wants to make sure it is not too loud, causing discomfort and distraction.  That is fine in an earthly sanctuary, but I have a suspicion there won't be any attempt to control the volume in heaven!

Heaven will be better than the best worship service you've ever attended: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”  (Revelation 7.12)

Prayer: "What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon his face, the One who saved me by his grace, when he takes me by the hand and leads me though the promised land.  What a day, glorious day, that will be."  Amen.  (Jim Hill)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 102.18-28

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:

19 that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,

20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,

21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise,

22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.

23 He has broken my strength in midcourse; he has shortened my days.

24 "O my God,"I say, "take me not away in the midst of my days-- you whose years endure throughout all generations!"

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.

28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.