FRIDAY

Revelation 5:12-13

• What do you think it will be like to worship God together in heaven?

Recently, I was at a youth rally with several other pastors from our region. Our churches collectively put on a big youth conference once a year that meets up at a summer camp in the mountains. It’s an extraordinary time of worship, conversations, and community.

This year, however, we had a tough decision to make. Upon our arrival, the venue was a little… mousier…than usual. And by “mousier,” I mean that the place was crawling with rodents. Some of this was to be expected–we were out in nature, after all, and through the years we’ve experienced similar things when we’re at a camp in the middle of August. This year, however, the problem was a little more egregious than usual, and it was causing some of the kids and parents to be concerned.

So my friend, Clark, gathered the pastors together midway through the weekend and explained the situation. He presented the question to the group: should we stay or should we go home early, despite all the work we put into the program and small group discussion curriculum?

The room was thick with tension. How could we make such an impossible decision? After much deliberation, Clark put it up to a vote. The pastors were torn. It was almost exactly split: 50/50. We voted again. Talked more. Voted again. Each time, it was close. But each time, one side barely had the majority. Ultimately, we went home early, but we ended the night big and boldly, and the kids were in good spirits.

In those moments, I felt like we’d never reach a consensus. Though the conversations were always respectful and civil with no hint of hostility in the room, there was certainly indecision. There was no vote where we all were completely in agreement and on the same page of what to do. The one thing we did agree on? Making the decision together.

The Bible describes a profound moment of consensus in Revelation:

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Imagine the moment in heaven where there is no more confusion, sorrow, or indecision. There is only purity and clarity. There is only love and adoration of “the one who sits on the throne.” Praise, honor, glory, and power to God–today, tomorrow, and for eternity.