November 15 His Blessings Flow

Revelation 19:1-5 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 small and great!”
 
ONE way to help us understand Revelation is to see its structure. In the beginning, we know the author is the Father. The main messenger is the Son. The introduction in chapters 2-3 tell us Jesus has a message to correct his church into a more pure faith.
    The Father’s message then moves into heaven to see worship led by the 24 elders and the four angels or living creatures also known as seraphim. The purpose for this introduction and heavenly view is for the readers throughout time to know this is God’s message to his church. The church is his. His true church will be with him in heaven’s glory.
    With that assurance, God’s message becomes very difficult for us. The views of sin dominating and destroying the world repel us. We cannot comprehend evil’s destruction on God’s faithful and created perfection. And we wonder, “Why does God allow this?”
    God’s message then teaches us to understand we must deeply trust him and await his coming in the fullness of time. We understand there are many mysteries of God we do not know, yet. In faith we must believe his ways are not our ways.
    Thus, the structure of Revelation now takes us back to heaven. From this point to the conclusion of Revelation, we will see God’s victory for his church. Here, we are back in heaven. The church praises God for the “prostitute’s” destruction and for the church’s victory. The elders and the living creatures continue to lead worship, And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”
    There is a praise song many of us sing in our churches. It is called the “Gloria Patri” – “Glory to the Father”. Its words are: “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: World without end. Amen. Amen.”
    This is often sung in response to speaking an affirmation of our beliefs such as the Apostles Creed. The author is unknown. But we can quickly see this could have been and could be eternally sung in heaven. It defines God’ glory. He is Trinity. He is eternal. As it was perfect in the beginning of time, it shall be perfect forever in God’s eternal power. Praise God! His blessings, indeed, flow into our lives forever!
 
Prayer: We do praise you with our hearts, minds and souls, Lord. You are our eternal God worthy of our true and complete worship. Amen.