Every Day Is Thanksgiving in Heaven

The Book of Revelation is one of my favorites. Some of the most powerful and life-changing moments have occurred as I read the book or listened to the lyrics as Handle’s "Messiah" was sung. While others have developed charts and written in intricate detail about the meanings of eyes, horns, oxen and eagles, I revel in the simple message that in heaven worship and praise ascends without interruption. In heaven every day is Thanksgiving.

Chapters two and three of the Revelation of Jesus applaud the faithfulness and good works of the church as she struggles against adversity. The church is affirmed for enduring hardship, addressing errors, suffering patiently and persevering when greatly outnumbered. The church is also warned about losing her first love, compromising in worship and growing lukewarm. I find the Revelation refreshing because the real struggles of real people are simply defined. Chapters two and three deal with church people as they are, not as I want them to be, and with me as I am, not as I often pretend to be!

Chapters four and five pull back the draperies of human shortsightedness and allow uncomplicated people like us to peer into what is happening in heaven while struggle with sin and self, sputter in worship and praise, and squirm uncomfortably with doubts in the arena of adversity. In chapter four and five readers of the Revelation begin to experience the promised blessing of chapter one, "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." (Verse 3) While good churchmen are struggling in difficult venues with demanding challenges, Thanksgiving is going on in heaven!

Pat and I will spend the next few days with our family. When we return home, I will insert my favorite CD into our sound system, turn up volume, and fill our home with the sounds of heaven, Handel’s Messiah! If we can find affordable tickets, we will attend a live performance. Something faith-building, spirit-lifting, hope-filling happens in my spirit when I hear the words of the Revelation sung by the chorus.
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (5:12) The orchestra, the chorus and my atonal voice agree with heaven where Thanksgivings never end! Another hymn of adoration and affirmation to the One surrounded by twenty-four elders, the One worthy to open the scroll, the Lamb that was killed but is still living is lifted by the chorus in heaven and echoed on earth, under the earth and in the sea ascends in mighty power.
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!" (5:13) Yes! It is happening right now and always in heaven! It is Thanksgiving every day in heaven!

And, finally, the agreement of 100 million voices are united forever in heaven and on earth by those who choose to follow heaven’s maestro. The roaring sound is like a mighty waterfall drowning the voice of every naysayer and merchant of doubt! "Amen!"

"Amen!" Forever, "Amen!" "Amen!" "Amen!"! It is Thanksgiving every day in heaven!