And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings, saying Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Revelation 19:6
We were seated in the stands at the Coliseum in Fredericton, waiting for the start of the evening’s performance of the RCMP Musical Ride. Our children were small at the time, and were eagerly looking forward to the event. And no wonder; the RCMP Musical Ride is an equestrian event that is unmatched in the world for its beauty and precision. If you have never seen it, you have deprived yourself of a wonderful treat. As we waited, the lights in the Coliseum dimmed, and we knew the event was about to begin. Suddenly, the air was filled with a tremendous burst of music, as the RCMP orchestra played the prelude to the Musical Ride. It was an energetic and powerful performance that shook the building and filled all the spectators with eager expectation for the wonderful performance that was to come. It was one of the most spectacular introductions I have ever heard. But it was nowhere near the magnificent introduction described in today’s text for an event much more glorious than the RCMP Musical Ride.
The RCMP Musical Ride is an old event, having begin in 1887, and has been performed many thousand times, more than 40 performance scheduled for this year alone, in Germany, England, the United States, and in Canada. In contrast, the great introduction described in our text will be performed only once. The voices of multitudes, many waters, and thunderings herald an event that is precious to ever believer. The Marriage of the Lamb is the greatest event on our calendar. For certain we are also waiting for the Rapture, but we know that not all of us are going to experience that, even though its expectation is a sweet hope. But the Marriage of the Lamb is an expectation that fills our hearts.
Since we were saved, we have come to love and appreciate the Lord Jesus more every day. We have learned more and more about His tender care for us, His amazing grace that saves us daily from our enemies, and His desire to have us with Him in His glory. His Word has been our daily nourishment, His remembrance has been our weekly encouragement, and His coming again has been our hourly expectation. We are thrilled that undeserving sinners will be ushered into His presence to be forever with Him as His blood-bought bride. Our hearts lift up in praise today to know that our eager expectation is more than matched by His own.
The marriage of the Lamb is before us. Well might the multitudes, the many waters, and the thunderings lift up their voices in a glad Alleluia! -Jim MacIntosh