My Own Little Reality

John caught a glimpse of what worship in heaven looks like. There he saw a big crowd of people shouting. I imagine a football game. They were shouting over and over "Hallelujah!" and naming the goodness of God - his glory, power, fair judgment, even punishment of the wicked by standing up for his servants. Imagine the excitemernt! Then John saw smoke rising. Adding to the noise of the crowd came the effects of the environment. It makes me think of a concert - noise, lights, smoke. Yet everything is purposeful - giving praise to God. Perhaps a better analogy is that of a storm. Hear the rumble of the thunder. See the flashing power of the lighning. Feel and smell the smokey clouds.

Apart from the crowd, John saw 24 people and 4 creatures who fell down before God, crying out, "Amen! Hallelujah!" Then a voice came from the peron sitting on the throne. The text says that person is our Lord. So consider what he says: "Praise our God, all his servants, from the least to the greatest, all who fear him." He is making a command that we should praise him. And boy does he deserve it!

Then John heard more shouting. But he described it as more than just voices. He said it sounded like roaring ocean waves or crashing thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She is permitted to wear the finest white linen."

John tells us that the fine linen represents the good deeds done by the people of God. We will dress our best for this heavenly wedding reception. A messenger of God announced to John that those who are invited to this wedding are blessed. And he added, "These are true words that come from God."

You might be surprised at first by John's reaction to the messenger. John bowed down to begin worshipping him. Aparently this mighty angel was so magnificent that John felt compelled to bow down. But the angel said, "No, don't worship me. For I am a servant of God, just like you and other brothers and sisters who testify of their faith in Jesus. Worship God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus."

John's special task was to share with others what he experienced. Like the prophets who spoke on behalf of God, John was asked to write about what he saw and tell others. Just like us, the angels talk about their faith in Jesus. They invite us to worship God along beside them as they do the same. John's encounter with God became prophetic when he shared his witness with others.

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