October 21, 2004

THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT

"And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!' " (Revelation 19:6, NKJV).

This triple title describes the majesty and power associated with Jesus as He closes His work of intercession and receives His kingdom and begins His reign as King of kings. The unanimous acclamation, "let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory" (Revelation 19:7, NKJV), expresses heaven's joy at seeing Jesus resume His rightful place.

The thunderous reverberation of praise to Jesus is compared to "the voice of a great multitude," the sound of "many waters," and of "mighty thunderings" (verse 6). In John's day, the roaring of the ocean and the crashing sound of thunder were among the loudest and deepest sounds heard by human ears. The deafening roar of a spaceship being launched into space or the noise of a jet engine are all twentieth-century phenomena. The extravagant imageries employed by John to describe what he saw and heard can only vaguely describe the joy of the hosts of heaven and of the redeemed as the Redeemer is crowned King of kings.

This resounding celestial jubilation is crystallized in a single brief, but powerful, declaration: "The Lord God Omnipotent reigns!" (verse 6). In an atmosphere of wonder, worship, and adoration, Jesus Christ begins His reign as rightful ruler. No words can adequately express the adoration Christ deserves for His omnipotent acts in creation and redemption. Ellen G. White says it beautifully: "When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings, the song then started in the hills of Bethlehem will be reechoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, 'Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth' (Revelation 19:6)."--Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 250.

My Prayer Today: Lord, hasten the day when all the universe will adore You as the Lord God Omnipotent. Amen.