For the next few weeks, we’ll take a look at “building blocks for spiritual growth. Today’s theme: the Building Block of Worship.
Today’s scripture: Revelation 19:5-8; 22:3-5 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
I’ll be honest: I know very little about heaven. Sure, there are all kinds of clues throughout the Bible, but put the emphasis on all kinds and clues. Even in the Revelation of John, where we find what’s probably the most definitive picture of heaven this side of heaven, we’re told that it’s like this, and like that; heaven is similar to this, and similar to that.
These two guys were sitting on a pier, fishing; and one asks the other, “Do you think there’s fishing in heaven?”
“I dunno,” says the other.
“Well,” asks the first, “what about beer? Will we have beer in heaven?”
“Why are you so preoccupied with heaven?” responds the second guy.
“I’m not,” said the first, “I’m preoccupied with fishing and beer.”
It’s just a theory of mine, but it seems to me that frequently our picture of heaven has to do with what we’re preoccupied with here. I’ll bet preachers who talk about streets of gold are more concerned with material wealth than they let on; musicians are always thinking about choirs of angels; and quite obviously our Mormon friends who have a designated family night every week are anticipating their own celestial family populating their own planet in the hereafter. What’s that say for those Muslims looking toward a paradise of virgins?
I’ve come to the place that, for me, heaven is all about worshipping God and the Lamb/Christ, as these passages from Revelation illustrate. There’s no doubt in my mind that the only rightful focus in eternity is God, and that the only rightful response to God is worship. I look forward to that! And for ever!
But just as I know very little about heaven, in all honesty I also know very little about God. My prayer always is “to see Thee more clearly, to love Thee more dearly, to follow Thee more nearly, day by day.” But compared to all that God is, the little I know really isn’t much. I look forward to knowing God so much better!
And that’s the language used here in Revelation 19:7: “For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” In eternity, we who are the faithful become the Bride of Christ. What could possibly be more intimate than that? Almost “know” in the Biblical sense! At least some medieval mystic nuns thought so!
To worship is to be connected with God. In heaven to worship is to be even more intimately connected with to God. And I want to be practiced up for that!
Thought for the day: In the old marriage vows was the phrase, spoken to one’s spouse, “with my body I thee worship.” God, with my body, with my mind, with my spirit, I Thee worship. Amen. You can assess a Soul Care Plan for 2017 here: My Soul Care Plan.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.