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December 31st

Our bible reading today is in Revelation 19-22...the last day of the year ushering in something new, something Praiseworthy, something hopeful is our prayer...

And we come to such a passage in our reading as we finish our Bible in a Year journey.

Before we get into the text I want to thank each of you who have made the journey with me in 2020. You had plenty of choices as to bible reading programs and devotional thoughts to go along with your time in the Word. You chose the ARCC Bible In A Year schedule and podcast to guide you in your bible reading. And you have blessed me and encouraged me along the way by your participation.

I want to thank the elders of ARCC for asking me to do the daily podcast this year. Little did they know that I needed the challenge as much as any member participating.

Because reading and thinking through the bible texts regularly isn't easy. The enemy will do everything that he can to keep us out of the bible. And I for one fell to those temptations many times this year.

Reading through the Bible requires not just a love and respect for God’s word but also a desire to hear from God. And some days that is easier said than done. O but the reward is great.

By the way, I had an advantage friends. And that advantage was James Evans our producer. His kind encouragement and spot-on suggestions for excellence pushed me just when I needed it. Thanks, James.

Now...New Years...and something hopeful ahead...it’s in our reading today.

In John’s God-given vision we read of such a glorious day to come..." the marriage supper of the Lamb”...the party of all parties...where all the church experiences the fullness of happiness and joy in the perfect union with her Savior and Lord, Jesus...together (think on it...all the church...down through the ages), in heaven together with the God of salvation, Jesus!

“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:1‬

John saw it and heard the acclaim given to God for it. He saw, perhaps to his unbelief, the evil and corrupt culture of the antiChrist, on earth, defeated and destroyed by Jesus at the battle of Armaggedon.

And John saw and heard the magnificent praise and worship service in heaven that followed that decisive victory.

Satan had long worked toward destroying God by destroying his faith promised people. But God was working his own plan for His glory and what he would share with all who believed and loved Him.

“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!

O friends, at times there is nothing better than “quiet time” alone with our Lord...soft music of a much-loved hymn perhaps...solemn meditation upon a special text of scripture perhaps...and just slowly listening and thinking upon the goodness of our God toward us.

However, when the church, the blood-bought, Spirit indwelled family gathers for worship, “remembering” from whence they have come...“saved” from their sins and the doom of everlasting judgment

“Saved” into the light and love of a new kingdom...the kingdom of God...One of forgiveness and fellowship shared with him and with all who have gathered around the throne...

May our praise and worship be allowed full hearts and full voices...for those occasions.

As John found out in the vision and passed it down to us, Heaven is always heavenly, full of blessing.

But apparently, even Heaven has its holidays where celebration overflows its banks and the Spirit-filled family is flooded with new measures of joy...and in that blessedness of light and joy that invigorates their souls so that all they can do is love and praise God with all of their hearts and enthusiasm. Praise the Lord.

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;”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:6-7‬

We are that bride friends. The marriage of the Lamb is coming. May we be made ready by the Spirit with grateful hearts and fresh desires to love the groom, Jesus, more than ever.

Have a great day and a great new year!!