November 3, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Your Kingdom Come

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Psa.103:1). Pray with these words of the psalmist.

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 Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Reflect

“Did you know you were created primarily to praise God? He longs for your praises, not to build him up, but to bless you” (Jack Hayford).

How real does the “wedding supper of the Lamb” (9) seem to you? Is it a classic theme from biblical literature, or is it the ultimate encounter with God you’re longing for? Some chide Christians for being “so heavenly minded they’re no earthly good.” Perhaps there’s some truth to that, but I think we are more vulnerable to a different criticism: we believe all the right things about heaven but it doesn’t always make a difference in our priorities and actions now. That’s what frustrated Jesus about the Pharisees. As we saw earlier this week, their religious system prevented them from hearing his message about the Kingdom of God.

In our passage today, John does his best to describe the fulfillment of the parable that Jesus told (Luke 14:15-24), and although some details in his apocalyptic picture may not be totally clear, one thing is sure: it’s going to be good, really good. For one thing, there will be no more sin and evil. Satan will be defeated and our struggle with him will finally be over; no more corruption, no more brokenness, no more heartache (2,3). Hallelujah!

The dominant activity of this great supper will be vibrant worship and praise to our Lord God Almighty (4-8). There are times in my own church when, in spite of the best efforts of the clergy, musicians and service leaders, worship seems dull, routine and uninspired. Over the years I’ve learned that the quality of my worship has less to do with how the leaders perform, and more to do with how eager I am to meet God when I walk into the sanctuary. At the wedding supper of the Lamb, that won’t even be an issue, because God will be there (Rev. 21:3,4). Hallelujah indeed!

Apply

Business writer Steven R. Covey advises, “Live with the end in mind.” What’s the spiritual application of this principle for you?

Closing prayer

King of kings, and Lord of lords, I praise You in Your majesty and because my life has a future in You, today and forever.

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