Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7 TM)

As a guy, the whole concept of being "the bride of Christ" has been a difficult metaphor for my mind or heart to embrace. And then I married Wendy. One of our dear small group friends commented a while back that it was fun to watch Wendy "bloom as a woman" through our relationship. She was right, it is fun – and amazing – to watch. In fact, watching it gave me a much better idea of what it means to be Jesus’ bride. I’ve watched Wendy be more at peace with herself and others. I’ve watched as the safety that comes from the marriage relationship has allowed more of herself – her true self – to emerge. Watching it has given me an appreciation of what it means to finally be one with Christ – to finally know peace and safety. I’m looking forward to seeing the fullness of who I am and who I was created to be emerge as I’m united with Christ. And, knowing the joy of watching Wendy – I can appreciate the joy it will be for Him to watch it happen.

To top it all off – the wedding reception’s going to be a blast.

Technorati Tags: Revelation, Bible, Chapter-a-Day, Bride of Christ

Keep watch! I come unannounced, like a thief. You’re blessed if, awake and dressed, you’re ready for me. (Revelation 16:15 TM)

As a dad, I’ve gotten to the point that I’m not going to be responsible for getting the girls up and make sure they’re ready. They’re big girls. They can take care of themselves, and they need to be responsible to set the alarm, get their hinies out of bed and be ready to go. If they’re not up and ready – I’ll go on without them.

I guess our Father in heaven parents with similar principles 🙂

Technorati Tags: Bible, Revelation, Chapter-a-Day, Parenting
Flickr photo courtesy of digitalhen

I saw another Angel soaring in Middle-Heaven. He had an Eternal Message to preach to all who were still on earth, every nation and tribe, every tongue and people. He preached in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory! His hour of judgment has come! Revelation 14:6-7a (TM)

We are such an instant people. Instant coffee, instant breakfast, minute rice, fast food, quick stop, high-speed internet – you catch my drift. I think our appetite for speedy convenience has made us an impatient people when it comes to justice. We see injustice and want God to act immediately to punish the ne’er-do-wells. When he doesn’t meet our demands like the marketplace has, we do what all good consumers do – we complain and/or walk away.

Judgement is coming. God promises it, and God always makes good on a promise. Unlike me, though, He sees a bigger picture. He has a plan that encompasses more than I could possibly comprehend with my finite little mind. I don’t understand why He waits. I don’t understand a lot of things about God. When I was a child I didn’t understand a lot of things about my parents. But in time I learned that they knew a whole lot more than I give them credit for. I think God is like that – only on an infinitely larger scale.

Technorati Tags: Revelation, Bible, Chapter-a-Day, Judgement, Patience
Flickr photo courtesy of Komal Soin

The seventh Angel trumpeted. A crescendo of voices in Heaven sang out, "The kingdom of the world is now the Kingdom of our God and his Messiah! He will rule forever and ever!" Revelation 11:15 (TM)

Of course, I read the verse and I hear the music of Handel. How long has it been since you heard the Hallelujah Chorus? Do you know the story? When he was handed the libretto for "Messiah" he was broken, discouraged and ready to give up on music.

Handel set to work composing on August 22 in his little house on Brook Street in London.  He grew absorbed in the work that he rarely left his room, hardly stopping to eat.  Within six days part one was complete.  In nine days more he had finished part two, and in another six, part three.  The orchestration was completed in another two days.  In all 260 pages of manuscript were filled in the remarkable short time of 24 days.

Sir Newman Flower, one of Handel’s many biographers, summed up the consensus of history: Consdering the immensity of the world, and the short time involved, it will remain, perhaps forever, the greatest feat in the whole history of music composition.”  Handel’s title for the commissioned work was simply Messiah.

Handel never left his house for those three weeks.  A friend who visited him as he composed found him sobbing with intense emotions.  Later, as Handel groped for words to describe what he had experienced, he quoted St. Paul, saying “whether I was in the body or out of my body when I wrote it I know not"

I’m no expert, but it wouldn’t be surprising for me to arrive in heaven and hear it being sung just as Handel transcribed it. I can’t hear it without being moved.

Technorati Tags: Revelation, Handel, Messiah, Hallelujah Chorus
Flickr photo courtesy of Char111