I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. - Louisa May Alcott

When Cyclone was a little guy and Toy Story 2 was in the movie theater, I took him to see it. Cyclone has an excellent concept of how to craft a story. He has a thorough grip on conflict, climax, and resolution. It's outstanding. So when I took him to see Toy Story 2, I was proud to see how he was able to analyze the conflicts and their resolutions in the film. He was five when the movie came out.

We watched the movie, and in spite of the prohibition against talking during the film, he still had to whisper up to me, "That's five problems, now!" and later, "Down to two problems!"

It was very exciting to him to watch the story as a whole progress and watch the mini-conflicts get handled in an intelligible fashion. I think he found six separate "problems" that were solved in the course of the movie. It was very cool.

I wonder if John was keeping a similar record, somewhere in his conscious or subconscious, while he was in the midst of this revelatory vision from the Lord. He heard about seven area churches, then was whisked up to Heaven, and there he has been witness to events spanning time and space and ... wow!  And most recently, he watched an extensive warning about the destruction of Babylon. Was he able to do a countdown of "problems" and "solutions" as Cyclone did? I don't know. I don't think I could have, in his place. 


Above, we read of the closing of the Judgment on Babylon chapter.  Additionally, we are reminded of the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures who are in front of God's throne in Heaven.

But something new is added that we hadn't seen before:  a vast multitude.  This would mean that Heaven is likely populated with those who were harvested from the earth. The believers in Christ who have been brought to Heaven.  Cheering. 


Now, if you have ever been to a football game in a big stadium...a BIG stadium...where there was a chant of some sort going, you might have an inkling of what John was hearing.  But in a stadium, you can number the voices.  In heaven, the roar will be from a multitude that have no number.  What a sound!

It is followed by the awesome-but-not-likely-quite-as-loud affirmation from the elders and the creatures, who echo the praise of God.

Then, the multitude shouted again:  


The bride will wear fine, pure linen that stands for the righteous acts of the saints.  That means that all that those who are saints -- those who belong to Christ -- contribute to the beauty of Christ's bride.  I think that's a lovely thought.

The angel (who explained the judgment of Babylon to John) addressed him again. 


Angels are awe-inspiring, yes. But they are not to be venerated. They are servants -- big ones, shining ones, powerful ones, but servants, not worthy of worship. 

I feel a bit like my elder son must have felt at the movies, that day long ago.  Issues are closed, new ones are opened, and I can only watch, rapt, with a dazed sort of light in my eyes.  Churches. Seals. Trumpets. Bowls. Good guys. Bad guys. Babylon.  And coming soon... a war and a wedding.


Worship God, the angel said.  Learn about him.  Read his word.  Talk to him.  Listen.  God loves you.  It's that simple, and that amazing.