HEAVENLY ANTICIPATION
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
Revelation 19:9 (NLT)
It’s time to party! Well… not yet. But it’s coming.
Today’s Scripture was written to people facing severe persecution. They were ridiculed, marginalized and many of them put to death. While their particular suffering and hardship can be difficult for us to imagine, we all experience the longing for things to be set right. Our hearts ache for justice, truth and love to fill the earth. Simply put, our address is Eden, and we are all homesick.
Thankfully, suffering, grief and loss are not the end of the story. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, God promised over and over that one day, a Savior would come to save His people (that’s a good summary of the entire Old Testament!). In comes Jesus. He is the Bread of Life who fills us now and is also the focus of the wedding feast that awaits us. In Jewish culture, there was no celebration greater than that of a wedding banquet. But it’s not just any wedding. It’s the wedding feast of the Lamb, the One who suffered and died so we could have life. This banquet will be the celebration of the final and full union of Christ with His bride, the church.
To the Scripture writers, hope is the absolute expectation of coming good based on the character of God.
John Mark Comer
May you be filled with great anticipation that Jesus is coming back to finish what He started. May hope pull you forward and become an anchor for your soul. Whatever you’ve been through and whatever you’re experiencing now... hang on. The best is yet to come.
APPLICATION:
Focus on the word hope today. Imagine the cares of this world melting away as you think about experiencing more and more of God’s love. Read Revelation 21:1-5 and allow your heart to be filled with heavenly anticipation.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Father, for making and keeping all Your promises. You are faithful and true, and I depend on You with everything that’s in me. I can’t wait for the day You make all things new. I pray You’ll fill me with hope so I can have the strength to do the things You’ve asked me to do until You return. Because of Your Son, who is coming soon. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?