Songs of Heaven (4)

Songs of Heaven (4).

Please read Revelation 7:9-12.

“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, heartily singing,

‘Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!’

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,

‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honor

and power and strength belong to our God

forever and ever! Amen!‘ ”

A vast multitude of people from around the world gather to stand at the throne for universal worship of Yahweh and His Son the Lamb. Worship is the common denominator. Worship finally achieves what we have all been yearning for here on earth… racial reconciliation. When we are able to experience racial harmony and international peace on this side of the pearly gates, we are truly experiencing a fulfilling slice of heaven on earth. Regarding our ongoing racial strife, shouldn’t we all keep praying and working for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven?

Each of these redeemed people wear a white robe that is pure because it has been washed in the blood of persecution. Each also is waving a palm branch, the symbol of victory and triumphant joy. The gathering multitude has all endured the fiery trial of suffering for Jesus, and they in one voice seek to worship at the throne of the Lord God and before the Lamb.

And then another vast multitude, another crowd too huge to count, this time of exuberant angels surrounding the throne in a gigantic circle. They prostrate themselves before the throne and touch the ground with their foreheads. The angels are face down before God, singing together the highest of praises to the Lamb on the throne. This angelic chorus reveals the extravagant words of praise that invite all Christians everywhere to join in if they want to participate in heavenly worship. It is an honor and a joy to sing these words in church and thus spiritually stand around the throne in heaven with the angels.