April 8th - Reflection

Revelation 11:15-19 (NRSV)
The word of God: thanksgiving and singing

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Messiah,
and he will reign forever and ever."
Then the twenty four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, singing,
"We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty,
who are and who were,
for you have taken your great power
and begun to reign.
The nations raged,
but your wrath has come,
and the time for judging the dead,
for rewarding your servants, the prophets
and saints and all who fear your name,
both small and great,
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

Reflection
The temple in heaven in this passage is open. The holy of holies on earth was opened at Jesus death. God has been revealed in Jesus and in the Spirit, here on this earth. The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of the world is now the kingdom of Jesus. The eternal reign has begun! God's rule is forever!

This revealing of the ark in this passage shows us the promise of the kingdom is going to happen. No wonder there was lighting, earthquakes and such to announce such a great occasion but a very awesome occasion as well. God is revealed in our flesh in Jesus and saved us from sin, death, the devil, and our sinful selves. Shout aloud and sing for joy! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as you reveal yourself to me in Word today, teach me and show me how you would want me to move and act towards those you give to me today. Be revealed today in me and around me and through me. --- Amen