If worshiping together here on earth is so wonderful, what will it be like in heaven?
Congregational singing is one of my most favorite parts of church. This past Sunday, I got to sing with a congregation of 900-1,000 people. Hundreds of different voices blended into a beautiful, swelling harmony of praise.
I have stopped in the middle of singing and paid attention. Paid attention to the swell of voices, to the words and message of the song, to the diverse group of God’s children that I am part of. . . and I’ve fought tears and a lump in my throat.
Because it’s so beautiful and wonderful, and one day it will be even more beautiful and wonderful and worshipful and joyful and other -ful words.
That same Sunday, we prayed The Lord’s Prayer together. It’s already such a beautiful prayer, and when people pray it as a group–.
Especially the group I was with: I didn’t know even close to half the people, and they didn’t know me. But we were connected—connected by Jesus (and some other things, yes, but Jesus is the biggest, most important, most relevant one). And we worshiped together. We sang and prayed and listened together.
Can you imagine what worship in heaven will be like?!
Way more than a thousand people. Way more diversity. Way more freedom: we won’t be bogged down by sin or tiredness or cares about what others might think or distractions or whatever.
We’ll be Home! We’ll be face-to-face with our Redeemer, our Creator, our King, our Everything!!
I read in Revelation today, and chapter 4 is titled “The heavenly worship” in my Bible.
And the four beasts … rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to recieve glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4:8-11 (KJV)
Chapter 5 continues:
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 5:1-5, 8-14 (KJV)
Day and night. Falling down and worshiping. He is worthy! Singing. Acknowledging what He’s done and will do. He is worthy! Thousands upon thousands upon thousands, every creature. Loud praise. He is worthy!
Our worship here and now is beautiful. And I’m positive God absolutely loves and enjoys every second of it. But–just think–it will be even better in heaven! Doesn’t that blow your mind? thrill you? make you want to worship even more?
He is worthy. Let’s worship Him–individually and together.
