11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 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!”
13 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!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5)
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:2-4)
THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of, hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen. (Book of Common Worship- communion liturgy)
"And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won." (The Church's One Foundation)
Thoughts: The Church is struggling now but at rest later. It is all one body- all who believe- past, present, and eventually future. This is another emphasis of the invisible church idea. The church will triumph over sin. Some have already triumphed, and some are still in the struggle against it. The old phrase was that the church is militant (in the struggle of life) and triumphant (won in this struggle).
Barth says, "It is not only the living who speak and act, but their predecessors, their words and works, their history, which does not end on their departure, but on their departure often only enters its decisive stage among their successors, standing in an indissoluble relationship with the history of the present." (Church Dogmatics IV/1). The faith handed down flows through us.
This is important for people who are isolated as Christians, or who feel all alone in their faith. There are many- multitudes upon multitudes who have bowed only to God. We join with them- and in a sense we are part of the great cloud of witnesses. They are watching us.
Prayer: Lord we do not believe in a vacuum. Help us to recognize the saints and those who have gone before.
(Francesco Botticini- Assumptino of the Virgin)- notice angels above, believers below- both dead and living together- all in a circle pointed toward God.
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