He is coming again!

I am so overwhelmed by the events described in Revelation 19 that it may not be possible to write about them. In 21 verses John tells of the return of Christ and the great rejoicing in His victory. My heart rejoices as I read it. I’m also reading the Bible Knowledge Commentary which is a verse by verse discussion of words used, problems, varying interpretations and clarifications. It is helpful to get a summary of what is going on, which I need to keep me from focusing on details rather than seeing the big picture.

And it is indeed a big picture. It happens “after” the judgments in the previous chapters. The sound of a great multitude in heaven are crying out:

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:1–2)

Praise and worship come from the twenty-four elders (the commentary says these represent the present-day church) and the four living creatures (perhaps angels) then a voice from the throne saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.” (Revelation 19:5)

I could stop there. This is the introduction of His arrival and surpasses the excitement of Christmas celebrations. But then the next section is about the marriage supper of the Lamb. It too begins with “the voice of a great multitude” crying out:

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. (Revelation 19:6–8)

Upstairs I am making shrimp sauce and stuffing for the turkey. A spectacular star-shaped sweet bread sits on the counter. We will have brunch with pancakes and eggs. We will snack on the shrimp and a salmon ball with crackers and later eat turkey with all the trimmings. And yet I know that this menu and day of feasting will be nothing compared to that Supper with Jesus. I can hardly wait!

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Lord God, I thank You for arranging my daily reading of Your second coming to coincide with this celebration of the first. I am so excited, yes about Christmas and our meal with family, but even more over the anticipation of one day seeing You face to face — the Babe grown to the Son of Man, the Lamb who was slain, the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are so precious to me and I am so glad for this revelation of what that day will be like. Glory to Your Name!

Today’s thankful list . . .

- such joy at both the celebration of Your arrival and the excitement of when You will return.

- being part of Your family.

- that today and every day multitudes are worshiping You!

- smells of Christmas food.

- so many blessings, uncountable!