October 9: SINGING IN UNISON
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. Revelation 14:2
In yesterday’s verse (14:1) we saw a vision of the fulfillment of Joel 2:32: And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
Today’s verse continues that vision. It is impossible to overstate the imperative to distinguish the true LORD of the Universe from the counterfeit representations. His name is equated with His character. We must know the character of Him on whom we are calling to save us! In Revelation 5:6 we saw the risen Lamb at His coronation ceremony in the courts of heaven just before He willingly and confidently took the sealed scroll from His Father. That scene is followed with a song sung by the twenty-four elders.
In this vision, the Heavenly Father’s character is written on the foreheads of these victorious ones. This vision shows the calm that comes after the storm, that is, after the great tribulation (7:14). These are singing in one, unified voice from heaven, united in Christ and in the truth that makes you free (John 8:32). Every people, nation, and language, as in the waters of 17:15, shall be represented in this gathering of those who will live through the greatest tribulation ever to come into the world: the seven last plagues (we will study those carefully in chapter 16). Their unified song is thunderously powerful in beauty. This collection of singers is accompanied by exquisitely skilled musicians who play their harps in perfect harmony with them. It is possible that these harps will be made of almug wood (see 1 Kings 10:11-12).
The joy of the LORD (Nehemiah 8:10) will spill over into singing with these people. In Nehemiah’s day when they had finished rebuilding the city wall around Jerusalem after facing much opposition, they gathered for a big celebration. Ezra the priest read aloud from the Book of the Law, and the people were moved to tears at the hearing of the Law (v.9), due to conviction and genuine sorrow for having broken it. This was a fresh understanding the words of God. Then [Nehemiah] said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Zephaniah the prophet lived through the atrocities of King Manasseh. And though he had harsh words against Judah for her wickedness in not pushing back (though she knew better), he conveyed tender words for the meek and humble remnant of Israel among them: The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). The voice that John the Revelator heard was a vision of the fulfillment of this divine, heart-melting promise. Do you want to be there?
Give unto the LORD the glory due His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is over the waters. The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty…The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:2-4,11