I’ve always thought that one of the hallmarks of a true Christian is the person’s ability to praise God in a period of waiting, and to have deep joy in times of great turmoil.
I often think of such people when I read Revelation chapter 15. Revelation 15 details one of John’s visions. There’s a lot going on in this chapter, but to summarize: John sees seven angels with the seven last plagues that God will bring upon the earth in the last days. Then his vision cuts to a sea of glass, and people worshipping by the calm sea with harps given to them by God. The vision then circles back to the seven angels with the seven plagues, a creature giving the angels bowls filled with God’s wrath, and the temple of God, which is filled with smoke so that no one may yet enter.
This vision illustrates a very turbulent “in between” time. People whose earthly journeys have ended are waiting for God’s wrath of judgement to be completed so that a new heaven on earth can be ushered in; they are waiting for their eternal paradise in the presence and majesty of God. And as believers, we all have to ride out a lot of chaos while we wait for that to happen. Sin has created much destruction and pain, and the end times will most certainly bring about the pinnacle of humanity’s suffering because of that sin.
I can’t help but focus on what these believers in this vision are doing as they wait: they’re praising God with harps and singing.
Revelation 15:2-3 “And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing by the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and it’s image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God, and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb, ‘Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.’”
This ability to praise and feel deep joy in chaotic “in between” times comes from the fact that we as believers know that our salvation has already been won. Death has already been conquered on the cross. God delivered us out of the hands of evil and death as promised, and so we know that we can count on the promise of eternal life when the hour comes for Christ to usher in His forever kingdom.
Father God, thank you for conquering death and sin once and for all by sending your Son to the cross. It is because of this that we dare have joy in the midst of terror and sorrow. It is because of this that we know our waiting will not be forever. It is because of this that we can celebrate you and praise you as though the battle has already been won. We see the wages of sin all around us, and as terrifying and miserable as that is, you have saved us from our fallen state and a great restoration is coming. For that, let us praise you in the waiting. Amen.
Kysa Schafer is a volunteer at Praying Through Ministries.
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