The Sounds of Heaven
Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Psalm 148:1–2
When you envision heaven, what do you see? In the apostle John’s vision, he saw a rainbow-encircled throne and a “sea of glass, clear as crystal” (Revelation 4:2–3, 6). You may also think of streets of gold or marble-columned mansions. But have you thought much about the sounds of heaven?
Consider what John witnessed. The cherubim, a unique kind of angelic being, circle the throne of God and sing day and night: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:6–8). The voices of the “twenty-four elders,” which may represent the Church, are also heard: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (4:9–11).
Later in his visit, John gives this description: “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. … In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise” (5:11–12). After that, more voices joined the chorus, singing, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever” (5:13–14). Can you imagine how magnificent that choir sounded?
On the night Jesus was born, heaven’s choir gave a concert on earth—not to a crowd of thousands in a packed arena but to a small group of shepherds on a hillside. Luke writes, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:13). Maybe that chorus was followed by a medley of the worship songs sung in heaven day and night.
This Christmas as you hear and sing the songs of the season, pay attention to the lyrics that praise God and extol His worthiness to be worshiped. Picture yourself standing and singing with the “thousands upon thousands” in heaven, “Glory to God!”
May the sound of worship be heard on earth as it is in heaven—not just in December but throughout the year.
Dig Deeper
Read Psalm 148. Who is singing God’s praise in this psalm? For what are they praising him?
Read Revelation 4 and 5. What other sounds does John hear in heaven and on earth?
According to Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, and James 5:13, what kind of songs should God’s people sing? What is the purpose of those songs?
Denise K. Loock
This devotion is part of our series on heaven.
Comments
Praise Him!
Kathy
Music, especially singing at church, has always drawn me closer to God! When earthly music is so connecting, I can’t begin to imagine how much more awesome the music and singing will be in heaven! It also is an honor and a great responsibility to be part of a music team in a church. Thanks for reminding me!