Revelation 19
New Living Translation (NLT)
Songs of Victory in Heaven
19 After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting,
“Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our
God.
2 His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his
servants.”
3 And again their voices rang out:
“Praise the Lord! The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”
4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and
worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the
Lord!”
5 And from the throne came a voice that said,
“Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to
the greatest.”
6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the
roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:
“Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time
has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. 8 She
has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen
represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited
to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that
come from God.”
I always found this verse to be pretty amazing. In this one moment, the
Apostle John got a sneak-peek through the veil of time and space, to the final
Victory Celebration of God and His Church. 2000 years ago, John saw us—all
of us. Everyone who was, is, or ever will be in Christ, celebrating in heaven.
Isn’t that something? We’re all in the Bible!
God exists outside of time and space. So to Him, the past, present, and future
are all one in the same. He wrote the book that is History—His Story. He knows
every word of it from cover to cover. To God, we’re already there, celebrating
with Him in Heaven.
Hebrews 12
New Living Translation (NLT)
God’s Discipline Proves His Love
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to
the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially
the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God
has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the
champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him,
he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of
honor beside God’s throne.
God is there at the
finish line, cheering us on. He is waiting for us with open arms. Longing, as
we are, for the day when He will say to us, “Well done, my good and faithful
servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will
give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:21
(NLT)
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