A Time for Praise

Note from Jesus

Dear Faithful Follower,

What John saw and shared in the verses below is the powerful image of Me coming as a conquering warrior to destroy the evil power that persecutes and oppresses My people. Every Babylon will fall! Those who belong to me — whether in heaven or on earth, whether human or heavenly — will rejoice. There will be a time when I do this once-and-for-all: I will bring down evil and destroy it, so it never returns to oppress My faithful people. There will be celebration and feasting for all who are Mine!

The praise that you share now is a prelude to the praise you will share in when I come as your conquering King and glorified Savior. Remain faithful. Be steadfast. Continually offer your praise in anticipation of My return in glory. Trust that I AM coming and will give you victory. As John shared from his vision, Paul promised the Thessalonians, and I am assuring you:

On that day when He [I, your Lord Jesus] comes, all the saints in heaven and on earth will celebrate the glory of His power, and all who believe will stand and be amazed — this includes you because you believed us when we testified on His behalf. All this is why we are constantly praying for you, so God will make you worthy of the great calling you have received from Him and will give you the power to accomplish every good intention and work of faith. Then the great name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified through your lives, and you will be glorified in Him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, our Liberating King.

(2 Thessalonians 1:10-12)

Verses to Live

As you read these verses, think of how comforting and full of hope these words would have been for My followers who were facing hardship and even death for their faith. I AM coming for them and they will share in My victory. Now, dear follower, remember that this promise is true for you as well!

The scene changed. After this, I [John] heard the great sound of a multitude echoing in heaven.

Multitude:

Praise the Lord!

Salvation and glory and power truly belong to our God,

for true and just are His judgments.

He has judged the great whore

[Babylon]

who polluted the entire earth with her sexual immorality,

And He has vindicated the blood of His servants, which she shed.

Again praise spilled from heaven.

Multitude:

Praise the Lord!

The smoke rises up from her ruins forever and ever.

And the twenty-four elders and four living creatures fell on their faces and worshiped God Who reigns on the throne.

Four Living Creatures and 24 Elders:

Amen. Praise the Lord!

A Voice from the Throne:

Give praise to our God,

all of you, God’s servants,

All who reverence Him,

small and great.

And I heard what seemed to be an immense crowd speaking with one voice — it was like the sound of a roaring waterfall, like the sound of clashing thunder.

Multitude (in unison):

Praise the Lord!

For the Lord our God,

the All Powerful, reigns supreme.

Now is the time for joy and happiness.

He deserves all the glory we can give Him.

For the wedding feast has begun; the marriage of the Lamb to His bride has commenced,

and His bride has prepared herself for this glorious day.

She had been given the finest linens to wear,

linens bright and pure,

woven from the righteous deeds of the saints.

Guide:

Write this down: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb.” What I am telling you are the true words of God.

At that, I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he refused my praise.

Guide:

Stop it. Don’t you see? I am a servant like you and your brothers and sisters, all who hold fast to the testimony of Jesus. Address your worship to God, not to me! For the testimony about Jesus is essentially the prophetic spirit.

I looked up and saw that heaven had opened. Suddenly, a white horse appeared. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with righteousness He exercises judgment and wages war. His eyes burn like a flaming fire, and on His head are many crowns. His name was written before the creation of the world, and no one knew it except He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name He was known by is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, outfitted in fine linen, white and pure, were following behind Him on white steeds. From His mouth darts a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule over them with a scepter made of iron. He will trample the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God, the All Powerful. And there on His robe and on His thigh was written His name: King of kings and Lord of lords.

(Revelation 19:1-16)

Response in Prayer

Dear Father, I look forward to Jesus coming in glory, and I want to share in that glory when He comes. I pray that He comes soon and delivers all of my brothers and sisters who are being persecuted and that He brings celebration for all who joyfully await His coming. In His name, I pray. Amen.

‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware.

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.