The Hallelujah Chorus
Opening Prayer
God, Your justice is the only hope for a world not wretched by evil and sin.
Read Revelation 19:1-10
[1] After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, [2] for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” [3] And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” [4] The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” [5] Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!” [6] Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. [8] Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) [9] Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” [10] At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What hope exists for the faithful?The first three verses speak of condemnation and vengeance. Justice requires judgment. If evil is not finally defeated, God’s perfect kingdom can never be fully and finally established. We should join the declaration of heaven that God’s judgments are righteous and just and he is just in judging the inhabitants of the earth.Four great “Hallelujahs” sound forth, echoing between throng and throne. It is the only time the word is used in the New Testament. It is an uninhibited “Praise the Lord!”We have met the multitude before (7:9), as well as the elders and living creatures (ch. 4). We are back in heaven’s throne room, in the presence of God and the Lamb—and a banqueting hall has been prepared. The victory celebration takes the form of a wedding feast. The church, purified and now safe from all threats, is summoned to the wedding supper of the Lamb (see Matt. 22:1–14). She has proven faithful and is pronounced “blessed” (9), and she is clothed with the acts that were the expression of her love (8).The first three verses speak of condemnation and vengeance. Justice requires judgment. If evil is not finally defeated, God’s perfect kingdom can never be fully and finally established. We should join the declaration of heaven that God’s judgments are righteous and just and he is just in judging the inhabitants of the earth.Four great “Hallelujahs” sound forth, echoing between throng and throne. It is the only time the word is used in the New Testament. It is an uninhibited “Praise the Lord!”We have met the multitude before (7:9), as well as the elders and living creatures (ch. 4). We are back in heaven’s throne room, in the presence of God and the Lamb—and a banqueting hall has been prepared. The victory celebration takes the form of a wedding feast. The church, purified and now safe from all threats, is summoned to the wedding supper of the Lamb (see Matt. 22:1–14). She has proven faithful and is pronounced “blessed” (9), and she is clothed with the acts that were the expression of her love (8).
Apply
How can you be preparing now to share in the wedding supper of the Lamb?
Closing prayer
Bridegroom God, You have created me for intimacy. I turn my whole heart to You.
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