Receiving November 1, 2008, worship scriptures

Scriptures for November 1, 2008
Revelation 7:9-17
Psalm 34:1-10, 22
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12

Part I - Receiving the Word as spirit and life for yourself
By reading Part I of previous posts (for example, click September to view Part I in September posts) you can review the comments about receiving the Word as spirit and life.
Also, at http://charistis.blogspot.com/2008/03/receiving-word-as-spirit-and-life.html
there are basic suggestions for receiving the Word as spirit and life.

Part II - Reflections on this week's scriptures (one place for you to compare notes)

Prayer for Receptivity
Please, God, increase my capacity
not just to ask questions,
but to contain answers,
and to contain what you give
that is better than answers to my questions.
Make me receptive
like soft, moist soil
where Your Word really can
sprout and grow.
Make me soft and moist--hospitable to
life and spirit.

Revelation 7:9-17
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
and crying out with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (vss. 9-10)
The scene in verses 9 through 17 is immense!
No one could number how many people there are in the great multitude that comes from all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues. It's a completely diverse and completely inclusive multitude.
This diverse and inclusive multitude is standing "before the throne and before the Lamb."
The throne and the Lamb are the gathering force, the unifying power, that draws the diverse and inclusive, numberless multitude.
What happens at the throne is worship.
I wonder what experience I have had that can help me "tune in" to this immense scene? I've never stood with a small or large group before a throne. I've seen pictures of coronations or inaugurations. But this is much more than a coronation or inauguration, as much more as divine is more than human.
When by grace, and the Spirit's guidance, we do begin to tune in to this immense scene, we discover something in addition to worship. The One on the throne also dwells among the numberless diverse and inclusive multitude: "And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them." (vs. 15) And "The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters."
It's a stretching experience to even imagine this immense, wonder-filled scene. It calls for the capacity to touch, or at least reach toward the divine. We need to cross a threshold into reverence and worship. Then, stretched and humbled out of numbness, we are prepared to gratefully receive the One who is not only transcendent-beyond-our-wildest-imagination, but also endearing and close, dwelling among us. And we are prepared to be shepherded by the Lamb who gives us living waters, and wipes the tears from our eyes. The great tribulation hurts every one in that numberless multitude, and the Lamb-Shepherd comforts each of them.

Psalm 34:1-10, 22
"...and saved him out of all his troubles." (vs. 6)
Compare the great tribulation of Revelation 7.

"The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them." (vs. 7)
In Revelation 7 it's the numberless multitude all around the throne, then God dwelling with them; here it's the angel of the LORD all around those who fear God.

1 John 3:1-3
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (vs. 1a)
Each person in the whole numberless multitude is a child of God. They are the children of God, who are shepherded by the Lamb.
"...the world does not know us." (vs. 1b)
Compare the great tribulation in Revelation 7 and the troubles of Psalm 34.

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (vs. 3)
Compare washing robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14).

Matthew 5:1-12
"Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God." (vs. 8)
Each of the beatitude characteristics prepares the people in the numberless multitude to be there with each other worshipping God.
The pure in heart characteristic is closely related to 1 John 3:3. Purity enables the individuals in the numberless multitude to see and value the One on the throne, and the Lamb-Shepherd.
Purify myself as He is pure. Blessed are the pure in heart. Let the importance of purity sink in! There's a vitally important connection between purity and seeing God.