Day 356 – Revelation & the Trumpet

9 days to go!

• Christmas is only a few days away now, and I’m rather excited, as I’m sure you are. We look forward to Christmas because we know that it’s a day of excitement and fun and – yes – gifts! In our readings today we’re given a glimpse of an extraordinary day that we’re also looking forward to: the day when we get to witness the throne-room in Heaven for ourselves. Did the passage today tantalise you about what it will be like to see it for yourself?
• Today’s chapter in Revelation describes a throne. Look at all the imagery, and try and imagine in your mind what it might look like. Enjoy reading these glorious words! Search online to find what some artists have imagined the throne room to look like.
• Who’s throne is it? To whom does the praise of the angels, and creatures and elders go to? What sort of attributes of Jesus are worshipped in Revelation 1:8-11? How do they compare with how Jesus lived as a man when He came as to earth in humility 2,000 years ago?
• We will see this throne for ourselves at the resurrection. The Corinthian church, like many, were confused about the resurrection, and Paul spent some time talking about it in his letter to them in today’s second reading. It’s not the easiest passage to understand. What was the church’s question? Have you ever thought about what your body would be like in Heaven?
• How did Paul tell the church that our heavenly bodies will be perfect and eternal, unlike our current bodies? What different arguments does he use in 1 Corinthians 15:38-41 and 15:42-44?
• Verses 45-49 talk of the “first Adam” and the “last Adam”. Who do you think these two individuals are? How does Paul explain to us that we are currently like the “first Adam” but our bodies will also “bear the image” of the “last Adam”?
• What do 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 tell us about how the resurrection of the dead will happen? What connection can you see between these verses and those at the start of Revelation 4?
• The passage in 1 Corinthians ends with a cry of victory of the power of death and the passage in 1 Thessalonians continues this with words of comfort and hope. You may have known the sadness of someone close to you dying. How can these words offer incredible encouragement and hope?

People have lots and lots of questions about what the life will be like in Heaven. The Bible answers some of these questions, although not with specific detail. We don’t need to know everything about Heaven of course. Our hope in Jesus is that we’ll enjoy finding out what it’s like in God’s good time! It’s OK to ask questions and to think about what it might be like though.

Today’s passages talk about two things. Firstly they gave a glimpse of glory of Heaven, centred about God and the way in which we’ll desire to worship Him. Secondly we read how our earthly weaknesses will be raised in glory and power, bearing the image not of the sinful Adam, but of the sinless Jesus. They’re all words of wonder and joy, and I hope you find great comfort and excitement in the promises they make.