Friday 23 August 2013

Background

Today we enter the third of our pictures of the worship ofheaven and sing another song of eternal praise. The dramatic storyset out in Revelation - the opening of the seven seals and thedefeat of all opposition to God's righteous rule - is paused for amoment as we see how the struggle on earth is reflected in the lifeof heaven. We start with a reminder of our first two scenes fromthe divine throne room, the vast multitudes of angels, elders andliving creatures united in praise of God and the Lamb on thethrone. But the new focus is on the martyrs, "they who have comeout of the great ordeal" (v. 14) and who are now robed in white andleading the worship of heaven.

Christians inherited from Judaism an appreciation of those whosewitness to their faith was steadfast even in the face ofpersecution and death. God would not abandon them, but wouldreceive them and care for them. The words of verses 15-17 - takingup the language of the Psalms and the prophet Isaiah - give avision of what has already happened to those who have died fortheir faith. But they must surely be intended as encouragement forthose who are still struggling in the face of persecution. The Lambon the throne is also the shepherd who cares, protects, guides,feeds and heals. It is hard not to be moved by this vision andpromise, and there are many Christian communities in the worldtoday who desperately need to know that reassurance.

John the Divine's vision of heavenly worship may seem remotefrom the week-by-week experience of church. But that was not hisintention. The 'whole company of heaven' is present in any act ofChristian worship, however small in scale or however simple. In thesame way, our worship is joined with the martyrs, saints and angelswho are now before the throne of God. We are, in a profound sense,all one family, whether on earth or in heaven.

To Ponder

• Which stories of Christian martyrs have inspired you? Are theyancient or more recent? What effect do their stories have onyou?

• What can you find out about contemporary Christians who arefacing 'the great ordeal'? In what way could you be in solidaritywith them?

• How can contemporary Christian worship be 'in tune with heaven'and express the unity of current Christians and the 'great cloud ofwitnesses' in heaven?