Just a Peek

Reposted by permission from Pete Corak

You know, if just “peeking into heaven” can so excite me, what will it be like when I’m actually there? If just reading about the throne and the Lamb in the midst gets my heart pumping, I’ll need a new super strong ticker to handle the adrenalin rush (or, its heavenly equivalent) that surges when I’m actually before that throne. Revelation 19 is this morning’s “peek” . . .

To read of a “great multitude in heaven” lifting their voices in praise like “the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder” (v.1,6) is, in and of itself, stirring. Actually, I’ve noticed throughout my readings in Revelation that not much is said in heaven in a quiet voice. Instead, it’s the “loud voice” of angels or of the redeemed multitude that’s referred to again and again. Imagine what our ears are going to have to be like not to pop from the decibel level of heaven! They’ll be super-charged . . . as they ring from the sound of loud, loud, voices . . . glorious, harmonious voices. And these voices will be proclaiming, “Hallelujah! . . . Hallelujah! . . . Amen! Hallelujah! . . .Hallelujah!” (vv. 1,3,4,6) Not since the Old Testament do we hear this word combo — “hallel” . . . praise . . . “Yah” . . . the Lord! You don’t encounter it in the New Testament until Revelation.

And what is it that invokes this repeated chorus of “Praise the Lord!!!?”

“Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to our God!!” (v.1) . . . “He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality . . . the smoke from her goes up forever and ever” (v.2-3) . . . for He is “God who was seated on the throne” (v.4) . . . “For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns” (v6).

If just reading about it stirs my heart and creates within me a longing to join in this “Hallelujah Chorus,” what will it be like when I am there?!?!?! When my ears hear the voice from the throne prompting me to “Praise our God, all you His servants” . . . when I experience the thunderous call, “Let us rejoice and exult and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His Bride (ah . . . that would be me . . . and all those saved through faith by the grace of God) has made herself ready” . . . when, up close and personal, I hear those words, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (v.5,7,9).

And then . . . after my ears have been so stimulated . . . what kind of optic nerve will I need to allow my eyes take in His Wonder . . . to gaze upon His glory . . . to Behold my God!!! To behold the One called “Faithful and True” . . . the One whose “eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems” . . . the One who is identified as “The Word of God” . . . . the One who has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (v.11-16).

And all that, is just a peek!

I know the song says, “I can only imagine” . . . but can I really??? I can “taste it” . . . I can meditate on it . . . I can enter into it a bit . . . but can I really imagine it? I don’t know . . . .

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing ‘Alleluia!’? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

(Lyrics from MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine”)