It's Done

DAILY READING

Revelation 19:4-9

REFLECTION

Amen – Hallelujah

by Mary Alice McGinnis

Today we are finishing our study of the Lord’s prayer, with the final petition,

“For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forevermore.”  Amen

Today’s reading in Revelation 19 begins with an Amen and Hallelujah being raised to the throne room of heaven. 

Amen means – so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled, this is most certainly true! 

Hallelujah –  This is a compound word based upon two Hebrew words.

Halal – which means to shine, to flash forth, to praise with everything in our being.

Jah – the shortened, contraction form of God’s proper name – Jehovah. Lord.

The fact that this is the ONLY time in the New Testament that this word is used is significant.

What is causing all the ruckus in heaven?  

The praise begins with the 24 elders and the four living creatures crying out, “Amen” (so be it - may it be fulfilled) and “Hallelujah” (praise the Lord).

The noise soon expands to an angelic voice from the throne of God, calling all the faithful to join in praise of the Almighty God, whose Kingdom, Power and Glory is forevermore!

Next the uproar explodes into the loud crescendo of a multitude!  The choir of their voices sound like the rushing torrent of mighty waters, or the peals of crashing thunder!  

Together, their booming praise rings out with this tumultuous cry, 

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and His Bride has made herself ready;

it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.”

Revelation 19:6-8

 

Can you picture it?  Jesus, the Lamb, is the consummate groom.  He is standing at the front of the throne room, anxiously awaiting. While He waits, He remembers all the time it has taken to get to this moment.  All the hardships, the trials, the heartaches.  He reflects upon the moment He first loved His bride, the years of courtship.  He remembers all the promises He made to her, and sacrifices he had to make to her His bride.  He rejoices in the day He gave His life for her so this moment could become a reality. 

The Bride - the body of believers, the saints, the Church (you and me) - stands in the back, still hidden in the shadows.  She has been under vicious attack by a mortal enemy.  She knows she is undeserving.  She has often failed to trust Him, wandered off, and her righteous deeds were as filthy rags. 

                                                                                              

Yet she is now adorned with the blazing, radiance of Jesus’ perfection, ready to be presented before Him without spot or blemish. 

Then it happens!  The bride enters the room and all of heaven explodes with JOY!

She stands before Him more beautiful and vibrant than ever before.

 

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”  Revelation 19:9                                                                                                                                                                                      

Lord, thank You for being our Heavenly Bridegroom!  Thank You that You have adorned us with Your righteousness.  Even now, as we await the final consummation of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb, may we ever keep our eyes on You, remembering what unrivaled joy awaits us there! Amen!  Hallelujah! 

Prayer Practice

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.