All Heaven Rejoices!
Scripture reading for December 25: Revelation 19
“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, 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.” Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God Who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” Revelation 19:1-4
John now hears a great multitude in heaven crying out loudly in worship of God. They ascribe to Him salvation, power and glory and praise Him for His judgments. They marvel at the just judgment of the great prostitute who had corrupted the earth and its inhabitants with immorality. They are praising God for judging and avenging justly the murder of the saints. They worship God for the eternal smoke that ascends from the place of the wicked. They are joined by the twenty-four elders and four living ones in agreement and worship.
“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”–for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”” Revelation 19:6-9
A further cause for worship and rejoicing comes as God the Almighty reigns and decrees that the time for the marriage of the Lamb has arrived. The Bride is the great multitude of redeemed clothed in fine linen. John was told the fine linen was the righteous acts of the saints. John was told to write down a decree from God: “Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” This blessing was an invitation for all to come for the banquet was now ready! However, not all willingly come.
Do you trust God to have true and just judgments? Have you forgiven all who have wronged you and entrusted them to God for mercy instead of judgment? Are you among the ‘blessed’ who are invited and have accepted the invitation to the wedding banquet?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of righteousness through faith in Your Son, the Lamb of God. Thank You for insight into Your just and true judgments and Your great mercy. Use me to extend the Gospel invitation to those needing Your blessing of eternal life in Your family. Amen.
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