WORSHIP SONG EIGHT (Part 2)
Revelation 19:1-8
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power to our God,
for his judgments are true and just;
he has judged the great whore
who corrupted the earth with her fornication,
and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
Once more they said,
“Hallelujah!
The smoke goes up from her forever and ever.”
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who is seated on the throne, saying,
“Amen. Hallelujah!”
And from the throne came a voice saying,
“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
and all who fear him,
small and great.”
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, 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;
to her it has been granted to be clothed
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
EASTER
THE DAY OF RESURRECTION
March 27th
See the bottom of this post for how to use this daily devotional
PRAY
READ ALOUD Revelation 19:1-8
REFLECT
He is risen! He is risen, indeed! The slaughtered little Lamb has conquered!
Even in what is frequently called a “post Christian America” two out of three Americans say they believe Jesus was the Son of God who was resurrected on Easter Sunday. (Rasmussen Reports, March 31-April 1, 2015) Even the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and the guards at His tomb believed Jesus rose from the dead, but they could not accept the implications.
A more interesting survey question of Americans who say that they believe in Jesus’ resurrection might be: What difference does His resurrection make in your life? What difference does it make as you go to work or school? What difference does it make when you are unsure about your finances, or anxious about the news of the world? What difference does it make as you are discouraged or question your life’s purpose? What difference does it make as you read about terrorists and persecution of Christians?
In the worship songs of The Revelation we start to see the world in the light of God. We start to see the world’s dark forces and empires rendered powerless by the conquering little Lamb. Around heaven’s throne the slaughtered Lamb is forever worshipped: “for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).
One of the great theologians of the twentieth century was Karl Barth, who argued for the historicity of Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. He was really raised! In his Dogmatics in Outline Barth writes about the little Lamb’s victory on Easter:
The war is at an end – even though here and there troops are still shooting…The game is won, even though the player can still play a few further moves. Actually he is already mated. The clock has run down, even though the pendulum still swings a few times this way and that. It is in this interim space that we are living; the old is past, behold it has all become new. The Easter message tells us that our enemies, sin, the curse and death, are beaten…We are invited and summoned to take seriously the victory of God’s glory in this man Jesus and to be joyful in Him. Then we may live in thankfulness and not in fear.
Yes! In this interim period we can live in thankfulness and without fear! The little Lamb has conquered, and all who worship Him conquer!
From the time I was a boy we have always enjoyed a big dinner on Easter Sunday. We’ve always thought of this as a day to celebrate. Sometimes it’s a feast, (“Don’t worry about calories!”) prepared at home, and sometimes it’s a sumptuous spread at a restaurant or resort. This is the day of victory! This is the Lord’s Day, the festival of the Resurrection! We eat in anticipation of the never-ending Marriage of the Lamb! “The War is at an end…our enemies, sin, the curse and death, are beaten…” (Barth)
So, let us worship!
He is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
Worthy Is The Lamb!
READ ALOUD Revelation 19:1-8
WORSHIP
HOW TO USE THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
This daily Lenten devotional takes up eight songs of worship from The Revelation. It is significant that this is the only book in the Bible promising a blessing on those who read it, specifically: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy” (Revelation 1:3 NRSV). Each section of this devotional presents a song for your audible reading, reflection and worship. Each day you will:
- PRAY asking God to bless this time you devote to Him
- READ ALOUD the worship song and text for the day
- REFLECT on the daily reading
- READ ALOUD again the worship song and text for the day
- WORSHIP God each day in a way that is meaningful for you. The way in which you worship might vary day to day. Depending on the day, you might choose to talk with God about what you are thinking and feeling about the song, or meditate on the worship song, or intercede for others, or sing, or be silent before God. Ask God to guide you.
We pray that God use these worship songs of The Revelation to reveal His glory to you and bless you as you center your life in Him.