Unit 3: Visions of Praise

Rejoicing in Heaven – Bible Background • Printed Text • REVELATION 19:1–8 | Devotional Reading • REVELATION 5:1–14

AIM FOR CHANGE

By the end of this lesson, we will DISCUSS believers’ understanding of the implications of God’s judgment, BELIEVE that God’s judgment is inclusive of God’s justice and mercy, and ENJOY the love of Christ for all.

IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS

Odetta fingered the prayer beads wrapped around her wrist as she looked at the charging documents one more time. She had read them numerous times over the past several months. Indeed, she had drafted them, meticulously, making certain that each charge was supported by more than enough facts, evidence, and testimony to prove the allegations of a criminal conspiracy. But she remembered something she learned in school about writing, something that had served her well even after she went to college, graduate school, and law school: Explain things well, because the reader can’t ask you questions.

Odetta knew the defendant sitting across the courtroom was responsible for a multitude of bad acts. She knew it was her responsibility as state’s attorney, representing the people, to bring him to account. Slowly, firmly, deliberately, day after day during this trial, she laid out the state’s case, making sure all of the jurors could be as certain in their minds as she was in hers that this danger to the community needed to be removed, for the safety and betterment of all. And as she thumbed through the folder and scanned the charging documents one last time, she breathed a quick prayer, as she always did, for the Lord’s justice to be served, quickly and fairly.

“The prosecution rests, your honor.”

Can we trust God to propagate justice in the world? Or is His justice primarily to be served at the end of days?

KJV Revelation 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.