Scripture: Revelation 19:1-10
After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
“Hallelujah!Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,for true and just are his judgments.He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
And again they shouted:
“Hallelujah!The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”
The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:
“Amen, Hallelujah!”
Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
“Praise our God, all you his servants,you who fear him, both great and small!”
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”
Consider:
What a wild passage…John describes how he hears a great multitude in heaven rejoicing. Can you imagine actually HEARING heaven rejoice? Must be some party!
Even more exciting than the idea of a party in heaven is the fact that these are not strangers or angels or unknown beings, these are the saints that have gone before. Though unseen, they are very much alive, worshiping, celebrating God’s justice, not far away and disconnected from earthly things but actively witnessing and celebrating God’s kingdom come.
Death feels so final, so disconnecting to our human sensibilities. This scene reminds us that death does not, in fact, sever our connection with those who have died. Our very real and human understanding of “out of sight, out of mind” runs completely counter to God’s word of eternal connection.
They are not disconnected from us; rather, they are with God continuing the call to do justice and love kindness and walk humbly, and this multitude explodes in celebration when witnessing the triumph of God’s kingdom realized on earth.
When we miss those we cannot see, the language in Revelation 19 gives us a new vision... One day, the celebration they are already part of will include us fully. Until then, every act of worship and stand for justice and move toward building God’s kingdom rather than earthly empires is a strong reminder: in Christ, love is not lost, relationships are not erased, and connection is never broken, it just takes our hearts to “see” what our very human eyes cannot.
Respond:
Hearing sounds of joy in the middle of a busy day can feel impossible…hearing anything other than the noise of busyness is something that can require practice. So today, take 2 minutes and step outside (wherever you are…if you are in a loud spot, great, you have an extra fun challenge). Close your eyes and listen. What sounds do you hear? Can you hear sounds that are joyful? Sounds that are reassuring? Sounds that are peaceful? Making a practice to listen for the GOOD sounds of life may attune our ears a bit to hear the heavenly celebrations of our loved ones just a bit more.
Pray:
God, we know you never leave us, and yet when our loved ones pass to your eternal care, we can’t help but think they are gone forever from us. Whisper words of holy celebration to us, so that we may continue to feel the connection of love and light that comes from you through our loved ones. Amen.
