October 4

where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. — Heb 6:20 BSB

How beautifully did the Lord comfort His grieving disciples when He said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions—if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” He has gone ahead to claim their eternal home, for He has ascended to His Father and their Father, to His God and their God. It is as if He has filled heaven with new beauty, joy, and glory. In Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. His glorious person as Immanuel is now the focus of heaven’s worship. The elect angels adore Him as God in human form, and the spirits of the righteous, made perfect, worship Him alongside the angelic host. How amazing was the vision John had of heaven’s worship, seeing the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders bowing before the Lamb, hearing their new song and the voices of countless angels around the throne, all shouting, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).

Heaven is eagerly awaiting the completion of the great mystery of godliness, when the entire Church will be gathered around the throne; when the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place; when the final stone will be placed by the hands of the spiritual Zerubbabel, with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” Meanwhile, the earth groans under the weight of sin and sorrow, and the souls under the altar, who were slain for the word of God and for their testimony, cry out with a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Even the signs of the times are declaring that it will not be long before the Lord returns, this time without sin, bringing salvation.