I had a vision of an enormous crowd, bigger than anyone could ever count. It was made up of people from every nation; from all the different ethnic groups, cultural groups and language groups. They were all standing together before the throne and before the Lamb of God. They were dressed in white robes and were waving banners and throwing flowers in the air. Their voices rose as one – an enormous roar – saying:

“The life into which we have been saved
belongs to our God who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb of our God.”

Around the throne stood the four awesome creatures, and around them stood the twenty four elders, and around them stood all the angels. All together they fell to their knees before the throne, with their faces to the ground, and worshipped God, singing:

“So say all of us!
May glory and wisdom
and gratitude and honour
and authority and strength
and every good thing
be given to our God,
from now to forever!
And so say all of us!

Then one of the elders came and spoke to me, saying, “What can you tell me about these people in white robes? Who are they, and where have they come from?”

I replied, “I’m not sure, Sir, but you have the answers.”

Then he said to me, “These are the people who have come through the ultimate atrocity. They have washed their robes as white as snow in the blood of the lamb.

For this reason they now have the privilege
of gathering before the throne of God,
and there in the Temple they serve God, day and night,
and the one who is seated on the throne
provides them refuge and safe shelter.

Never again will they go hungry;
never again will they go thirsty;
never again will they be burned by the sun,
or left exposed to any searing heat.

The Lamb who is at the centre of the throne
has guided them through the wilderness
and will now care for them forever.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes
and guide them to crystal clear springs
where the water of life bubbles up freely.”

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

I will speak up in your favour, every chance I get, LORD.
Every time I open my mouth, I’ll sing your praises.

Everything I’m proud of is your doing, LORD;
the news of your goodness puts a smile on the face of the helpless.

I’ll put the spotlight on you, LORD;
and gather a crowd to spread the word.

When I pounded on your door, LORD, you opened up;
you calmed my fears and put my mind at rest.

Those who look to you light up with joy;
their faces never grow dark with shame.

When I had nothing, I cried out, LORD, and you answered;
you got me out of some serious trouble.

You station your angels to watch over those who trust you;
they watch us, guard us, and get us safely through.

May everyone taste for themselves how good you are, LORD;
may everyone find shelter in you and be happy.

May the people you have chosen treat you with respect, LORD;
for those who do never want for anything.

Even fearsome sharks go hungry sometimes,
but people who entrust themselves to you never miss out.

You, LORD, are always ready to bail out those who serve your cause;
no one who runs to you for safety will be handed over to death.

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Think about the extraordinary gift of love the Father has given us in allowing us to be known as God’s own children. Indeed that is what we now are. Of course, the world around us has never recognised God, and so it doesn’t recognise us as being God’s children either. My dear friends, we are God’s beloved children already. What we are destined to become goes beyond even that, but the details have not yet been made known to us. This much we know already: Christ will return to centre stage in clear view of everyone, and when that happens, we who will recognise him for who he really is will be just like him. Everyone who is living in eager anticipation of this will work at making themselves as pure as Christ.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Jesus found himself increasingly surrounded by crowds of people, so one day he headed off up the mountain. He sat down up there and his committed followers gathered around to hear what he had to say. This is what he taught them:

“Those who depend entirely on God for their welfare
have got it made,
because they are already at home in the culture of heaven.

“Those who are stricken with grief
have got it made,
because they will receive the ultimate comfort.

“Those who allow others to have first claim on everything
have got it made,
because the whole world will be given to them.

“Those who hunger and thirst to see the world put right
have got it made,
because they will be richly satisfied.

“Those who readily treat others better than they deserve
have got it made,
because they will be treated with extravagant mercy.

“Those whose hearts are unpolluted
have got it made,
because they will see God.

“Those who forge peace and reconciliation in places of hostility
have got it made,
because they will be known as God’s own children.

“Those who are attacked and abused for sticking to what is right
have got it made,
because they are already at home in the culture of heaven.

“When people turn on you
and do all they can to make your life a misery;
when they make false allegations about you
and drag your name through the mud,
all because of your association with me,
you have really got it made!
Kick up your heels and party,
because heaven is coming
and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams!
You are in great company,
because they were just as vicious
to God’s faithful messengers in the past.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton Laughingbird.net

Let us lift up our hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for you bring all who trust in you out of the great ordeal
into the glorious reward of heaven
and number them among the multitude of your saints.

You created the earth as an inheritance
and destined all life for a glory that is yet to be revealed.
Through the law and your prophets and apostles
you called a people from every nation, tribe and language.

In your child, Jesus, you revealed your desire
to bless the poor in spirit and the pure of heart;
to wipe away the tears of those who mourn;
and to satisfy all hunger for righteousness and peace.
Though he was persecuted and killed,
you raised him to life,
and with him you are saving all who keep faith
so that they may be like him
when his final glory is revealed.

Therefore with .....

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We give our thanks to you, O God,
for from every nation, tribe and language
you bring all who trust in you out of the great ordeal
into the glorious reward of heaven
and number them among the multitude of your saints.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
for you bring all who trust in you out of the great ordeal
into the glorious reward of heaven
and number them among the multitude of your saints.

You created the earth as an inheritance
and destined all life for a glory that is yet to be revealed.
Through the law and your prophets and apostles
you called a people from every nation, tribe and language.

In your child, Jesus, you revealed your desire
to bless the poor in spirit and the pure of heart;
to wipe away the tears of those who mourn;
and to satisfy all hunger for righteousness and peace.
Though he was persecuted and killed,
you raised him to life,
and with him you are saving all who keep faith
so that they may be like him
when his final glory is revealed.

Therefore, with our hearts lifted high,
we offer you thanks and praise at all times
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Salvation belongs to our God
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb of God
through whom we have received mercy.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Go now and live in awe of God.
Purify yourselves in heart and in deed.
Hunger and thirst for righteousness;
show mercy, and make peace.

And may God take your burdens and free you from fear;
May Christ Jesus be your shepherd and your shelter;
And may the Holy Spirit guide you to springs of the water of life.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
   In the name of Christ. Amen.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net