Heaven Is Singing

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled Heaven is Singing, was written by Lisa M. Samra. Joy was apparent in their voices, as the high school choir sang the Argentinian song, El Cielo Canta El Agria.

I was enjoying the performance, but couldn't understand the lyrics because I don't know Spanish. But it wasn't long until I recognized a familiar word as the choir began to jubilantly declare, Alleluia, repeatedly I heard, Alleluia, a declaration of praise to God that sounds similar in most languages around the world. Eager to know the background of the song, I went online after the concert and discovered the title translates, Heaven is Singing for Joy. In a celebratory passage in Revelation 19, we're given a glimpse of the reality expressed in that choral song, all of heaven rejoicing. In the Apostle John's vision of the future in the last book of the New Testament, he saw an enormous gathering of people and angelic creatures in heaven declaring gratitude to God. John wrote that the chorus of voices celebrated God's power that overcame evil and injustice, his reign over the whole earth and eternal life with him forever. Over and over again, all the inhabitants of heaven declare, Alleluia, or praise God. One day, people from every tribe and language and people and nation will declare God's glory. And with joy, all our voices in every different language will shout together, Alleluia. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Revelation chapter 19, verses one through eight. After this, I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude of heaven shouting, Alleluia.

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants. And again, they shouted, Alleluia.

The smoke from her goes up forever and ever. The 24 elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne and they cried, Amen. Alleluia. Then a voice came from the throne saying, Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small. Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder shouting, Alleluia. For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 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.

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. Let's pray. Father, we are so grateful for the joy we know because we're loved by you. With our entire being, we praise you today, Lord. Alleluia and Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Tony Collier and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.