Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Did You Get An Invitation” – Saturday, 30 August 2014 - Scripture: Revelation 19:1-10

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Did You Get An Invitation” – Saturday, 30 August 2014 - Scripture: Revelation 19: The Sound of Hallelujahs
1-3 I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing,
Hallelujah!
The salvation and glory and power are God’s—
    his judgments true, his judgments just.
He judged the great Whore
    who corrupted the earth with her lust.
He avenged on her the blood of his servants.
Then, more singing:
Hallelujah!
The smoke from her burning billows up
    to high Heaven forever and ever and ever.
4 The Twenty-four Elders and the Four Animals fell to their knees and worshiped God on his Throne, praising,
Amen! Yes! Hallelujah!
5 From the Throne came a shout, a command:
Praise our God, all you his servants,
All you who fear him, small and great!
6-8 Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder:
Hallelujah!
The Master reigns,
    our God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,
    let us give him the glory!
The Marriage of the Lamb has come;
    his Wife has made herself ready.
She was given a bridal gown
    of bright and shining linen.
The linen is the righteousness of the saints.
9 The Angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’” He added, “These are the true words of God!”
10 I fell at his feet to worship him, but he wouldn’t let me. “Don’t do that,” he said. “I’m a servant just like you, and like your brothers and sisters who hold to the witness of Jesus. The witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
“Did You Get An Invitation?” by Patricia Kissell
If you are like me, you may get lost reading Revelation 19, as the voices go back and forth. Let’s try to sort this out: verses 1 and 3, the angelic host—massed choirs; verse 4, the twenty-four elders and four living creatures; verse 5, a voice from the throne, possibly one of the four living creatures who is closest to the throne; verses 6-8, massed choir–possibly the church; and verse 9, the angel who dictates the invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb.
When I was a graduate student at New York University I attended a church in Brooklyn where they had an odd custom related to wedding invitations. When the pastor read an open invitation to the congregation everyone was invited to the ceremony. But they had to sit in the balcony where they were able to see the wedding. However, they were not invited to the reception, which was usually an all-evening affair. Only those who had a personal invitation could sit on the main floor of the sanctuary, and only they were invited to attend the festivities of the evening.

Hallelujah, the wedding supper of the Lamb will be open to all true believers!

Hymn for Today:

"Hallelujah! What A Savior!" by Philip P. Bliss
1. “Man of Sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
2. Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
3. Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
4. Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
5. When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Thought for Today:

“In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’”(Matthew 25:6).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in the Bahamas.
____________________________
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States[
Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
____________________________