A glimpse of heaven. A taste of the life to come.
I think that Revelation is meant to be read aloud. I recommend you read this passage out loud. It is about a different realm which we can only glimpse. The visionary language of Revelation is full of allegories, poetry and symbols. I don't find it easy to understand.
This type of prophetical writing, called apocalyptic literature, was a popular genre at the time of Christ.
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshipped.
Revelation 5 v 6 -14
This is clearly a picture of heaven, where the Lamb of God is central, and every tribe, nation and tongue are worshipping Him.
Worship in Church
Sometimes in church it is as if the heavens open,
the building is filled with the glory of The Lord
and the angels watch in awe.
Sometimes.
All of us who belong to him one day will come before the throne and we will sing praise in many different languages, but in perfect harmony. Hallelujah!
Sometimes during worship, the surroundings melt away. The style of the music is unimportant. We don’t notice the clock ticking.
We focus entirely on Jesus Christ.
Sometimes.
Often we are distracted by thoughts of lunch or the dinner burning, or by a baby crying, or we don’t like the style of music, or by a thousand and one other distractions.
It is possible to worship The Lord with any type of music and with any instrument, except possibly by Screamo.
If we are singing a song we don’t like in church, we can still praise Our Lord.
We can focus on Him, not on the music.
Worship is the submission of all our nature to God.
It is the quickening of our conscience by His holiness;
the nourishment of our minds with His truth;
the purifying of our imaginations by His beauty;
the opening of our hearts to His love;
the surrender of our will to His purpose -
and all of this gathered up in adoration,
the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable.
William Temple
I have been fortunate to belong to a denomination where praise and worship are given a high priority. There are so many beautiful modern choruses that it would be a shame to miss out on this outpouring of the Holy Spirit who has inspired many talented Christian musicians.
Likewise, what a shame to miss out on the classics. Over the previous centuries some of the greatest hymns of all time have been penned in the English language. We have brothers and sisters across the world who we may only meet in heaven, but via YouTube we can listen to their songs of praise.
Maybe we need to prepare for the life to come.
Increase your praises to Christ - Cave Church, Cairo
In Cairo a church has been set up in a cave. During this ecumenical celebration we see thousand of Egyptian Christians gather, including protestants and Coptic priests. This is a reminder that one day we will join thousands upon thousands of brothers and sisters from around the world, praising our Almighty God.