Sunday, December 10, 2023 - THE GREAT MULTITUDE AND YOU

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Sunday, December 10, 2023 - Day 345  - (Today’s Bible readings: Haggai 1; Psalm 131; Revelation 7:9-17)

THE GREAT MULTITUDE AND YOU

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

 (Revelation 7:9-10 ESV)

In today’s verses we are given a glimpse of the eternity that Christ’s Second Advent will usher in. By the grace of God, you and I will be part of the multitude of believers who spend forever praising God for His gracious gift of salvation. What an awesome scene is depicted here...

    people from every nation, 

      all tribes, 

        all peoples 

          and languages...

             and YOU TOO! 

What a stark contrast to what we see on the news and read in the papers. How do we respond to the One who guarantees this awesome gift of eternal life? We start singing now...

♬ This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb Who was slain, 

Whose blood set us free to be people of God.

This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.

This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever.  Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb Who was slain has begun His reign.  Alleluia.

This is the feast of victory for our God.  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Almighty God, thank You for opportunity to practice for heaven every time we gather to worship You and join in the hymn of all creation. Please keep me close to You through faith in my Savior, Jesus, so that I may sing Your praises now and forever. Amen.  

"See" you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape