December 17, 2023 - Revelation 19-22

Consider these last chapters of Revelation and the story they conclude (Well, see below!).

“King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:16).  “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore’” (21:2-4).

“The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the city], and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (22:3-5).

And so, the story concludes but does not really end.  It just keeps on going forever and ever!  What joyful hope is ours as we celebrate the birth of Messiah and all the promises of God that “find their Yes in him” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Rejoice, the Lord is King:

Your Lord and King adore!

Rejoice, give thanks and sing,

And triumph evermore.

Lift up your heart,

Lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope!

Our Lord and judge shall come

And take His servants up

To their eternal home:

Lift up your heart,

Lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!   --Charles Wesley (1744)