Tuesday
"They cast their crowns before the throne, singing, 'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.'" (v.10-11)
Background
The last book of the Bible - The Revelation to John - issometimes called The Apocalypse of John and is mostly made up of'apocalyptic', 'hidden' or 'symbolic' language about the future.The most enduring sections of the book try to convey the atmosphereof heaven.
Given the impossibility of this task, John uses the language of amagnificent royal court with a great throne room. In his vision hesees a vast hall of judgement and massed choirs of saints andangels. The primary purpose of the occupants of heaven is toworship God.
The sound of the trumpets, the white-robed elders, the flashing ofthe lightning, the flaming torches, the crystal sea and the flyingcreatures are all dedicated to praising God. All of heaven givesglory, honour and power to the one who brought the entire creationinto existence.
To Ponder
Do you have a favourite choral work in whichmassed voices render a mighty piece of glorious music that stirsyou when you hear it? What is it? In what way does it affectyou?
When George Frederic Handel wrote the
In Edward Elgar's musical work The Dream ofGerontius, based on Cardinal Newman's 19th century poem, the manwho has died is given a glimpse of the sight of God. He isdevastated by the beauty of what he sees and sings,