Revelation 19

Revelation chapter 19 is the first - and only place - that "Hallelujah" is found in the New Testament. Four times, in fact, within six verses. As all of heaven cries out in adoration and worship of God, "Hallelujah".

In Revelation. 19:6-7, John writes, 

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. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

But it's not simply the worship of "Hallelujah" that brings me excitment as I read Revelation 19 and it's not just the knowledge that all of heaven unites in this cry of celebration. What brings the most joy to my heart is the occasion of this great heavenly praise. 

John continues in Revelation 19:7-8, 

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.

This is the wedding day of Jesus Christ, the day when The Church is united with Christ in heaven for all of eternity. 

This passage speaks of the bride (The Church) being made ready. Furthermore, we read of The Church is given fine, perfectly clean, linen to wear for this wedding day. 

Many brides spend weeks, months - even years - to choose their wedding dress. I've even heard of shows devoted to saying "yes to the dress". So I know that choosing the perfect wedding dress is highly important to the bride. Yet this verse states that the perfect wedding gown will be presented to us on the day that we are united with Christ. 

And still, it's not that simple. 

You see, the final portion of verse 8 tells us more. Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.

Let's read Revelation19:6-8 in the English Standard version. Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Did you catch that last phrase? The wedding gown that we are "granted to wear" on the great wedding day - when we - The Church - are united with Christwill be our own "righteous deeds". 

As The Church we are called to be prepared for the day we are united with Christ. Likewise, it is through our righteous deeds that our wedding gown is being prepared as a perfect and spotless robe. 

So Church, let us prepare. Prepare The Way. 

The earliest prophets spoke about it. The message of John the Baptist was focused around it. The Apostles were left with the task of it. The Christian call is one that centers on it.

PREPARE THE WAY 

What does it mean for us – personally – to prepare the way? And what does it mean for us – as a body of believers – to be prepared for a revival of God’s Spirit. When a revival of God’s Spirit begins, it will first begin in us as individuals. So, if a revival of God’s Spirit begins in our church and in our community, then we must first be prepared. 

Opposition Getting Dressed

It is a normal occurrence that I have the chance to dress our youngest, a twenty-two month old little girl. On the brink of turning two she is daily giving us more of a glimpse of her independence and personality. 

Just the other day she woke early and the first thing she wanted to do was get dressed. However, we ran into a bit of an issue when I put her shirt on her. As she attempted to slide her arm into the sleeve it did not work perfectly! As she met opposition she gave a bit of an attitude and quickly pulled her arm out of her shirt. 

We tried again, this time I helped her out by guiding her arm into the sleeve. Yet, when she attempted to put her other arm in, again she ran into opposition. This did not please her and she was done! She was done with the shirt, done getting dressed, done with me, and done with the day! 

It occurred to me how often in life I act in just this way. As soon as I encounter opposition, I tend to give a bit of an attitude and turn in the opposite direction. Often I forget that I have a Heavenly Father that wants to help guide and direct me in the path that I should go. And, even when things do not function perfectly He is there to lead into guide, even encouraging me along the way. 

And I doubt that I am alone in this. How often, when things don't go perfectly, do you get an attitude or turn to go in the opposite direction? How often do you forget you have a Heavenly Father that loves you and wants to guide you just the way He would have you go?

Let us remember, anytime we face opposition, He is there with us - and for us.