Friday 10 August 2012

Background

Today's passage begins with the great multitudein heaven singing a psalm or song of praise. Evil is beingdefeated, and the saints are being vindicated. Smoke from thecollapse of the earthly powers which thought they were eternal isrising in an awful contrast to the incense of heaven (verse 3). Theelders representing the people of God and the living creaturesrepresenting the rest of creation ratify that cause of praise toGod (verse 4). That leads to a divine call for all to praise God(verse 5) and to make God the centre of their attention andcommitment (rather than any emperor or other 'beastly' systems orpowers. The great multitude praise God that the time for theheavenly banquet has come. The prophet Hosea had talked of Israel,the people of God, being God's bride. At Passover time the Song ofSongs was read as an allegory of God's betrothal to Israel in thewilderness. Now the bridegroom has come to be seen as Jesus, who asthe ultimate Passover Lamb, has redeemed a new Israel (Revelation 5:9) and made it fit and ready to behis bride (Ephesians 5:23-33).

A new beatitude follows: "Blessed are those whoare invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" As we worship,particularly as we gather around the Lord's table, we join withthose worshipping in heaven; and by doing so we help what is truein heaven to become more real on earth. There is always a danger onearth of turning our attention from God and making something otherthan God our focus, as a sort of idol. The writer starts down thatslippery slope when he wants to worship the angel. He is rebuked.God must be the focus of everything (verse 10).

To ponder

• What are the signs that we are making something other than Godthe centre of our attention and commitment?

• What difference would it make to you in your life anddiscipleship if you were to act as if you were the bride ofChrist?

• How can you become more aware that you are worshipping with thecommunion of saints?