Musings About Heaven 2

Worship

AI rendition of Rev 7: 9-10

Worship is a key theme in Heaven. This is clear from reading Revelation. But a common misreading is that worship is all we do in Heaven. Forever. Using harps and floating on clouds. If this sounds boring, then let me paint a more exciting picture.

To be sure, Revelation does describe very large scale worship: all types of angels, elders (rulers), people from all races, even land and sea creatures, all join in planet-wide worship of God. It will be loud; it will involve voices and musical instruments; it will be celebratory and include a great feast; and it will be hair-raisingly awesome. But this is just a start because the worship will focus on what the Triune God has done up until that point in time: creation, sacrifice, redemption, victory and judgment over evil, and salvation.

Going forward, beyond what Revelation reveals, I believe there will be more worship as we live our new lives in the Kingdom.

Continued Worship

What will continued worship be like? Allow me to speculate about the form and content of such eternal worship:

• 24 x 7 x 365: At any time there will be someone somewhere praising God.

• Cyclical: There will be periodic praise sessions in larger groups - weekly, monthly, yearly, etc., as well as on special occasions. (In between such times we will be busy with things that God will assign us.)

• From individual to planetary-scale: Each of us will joyfully praise God in private, and join in ever larger groups for communal worship.

• Using different styles: There will be quiet meditation and there will also be poetry and singing. There will be dancing, performances, as well as parades. People will chant in unison and engage in responsive reading. We will sing in our common language and also in our ethnic tongues --- Mongolian throat singing, Swiss yodeling, Polynesian oli, Chinese xiqu, and so on.

  Old and new musical instruments will be featured. We will offer up our art and crafts, our creative efforts, and the fruits of our labor in genuine gratitude.

• Spontaneous versus Choreographed: We will erupt in spontaneous worship some times, and at other times come together in choreographed celebrations. Just like a choir singing in harmony; but now including all living creatures. Can you imagine synchronized singing and dancing with whales, lions, and birds? The decibel level will break every sound record!

• About God, Creation, and Life: The content of our worship will be about God's nature, His creation, and our lives. We will discover more of God's character and praise Him (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) for it. We will increase our understanding of the natural world and be amazed at God's creativity. We will also celebrate our healthy lives, meaningful relationships, as well as the achievement of each new task He calls us to do. For we can be sure new assignments await us; idleness will be absent in Heaven.

Conclusion

In view of all this, I see myself woefully unprepared for heavenly worship. I will need to train my voice to sing better. I should pick up some dance moves. And improve my guitar playing. I hope some kind angel will teach me all these once I get to Heaven.