Worship Quote of the Week (WQOTW)
Worship Quote Of The Week is a worship ministry brought by Carl Stam, Director of the Institute for Christian Worship at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. They contain thoughtful materials that relate to a Christian view of worship or prayer. Some are selections of the Scriptures. Some are taken from hymns or worship songs. Still others are drawn from the writings of various authors (ancient and contemporary) on the subject of worship and prayer.
This Week's Quote
In today's WORSHIP QUOTE, we have two Scripture passages that give us pictures of heavenly worship focused on our great Savior. One is Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish virgins who are waiting and preparing for the return of the groom—anxious to join the procession to the joyous marriage feast. The other is the passage in Revelation 19 that depicts the splendor of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. Notice that both accounts reveal the sober truth that there are those who truly worship and those who are rejected.
THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS: Matthew 25:1-13
"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
"'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
--Matthew 25:1-13, NIV
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025:1-13;=31
THE MARRIAGE FEAST OF THE LAMB: Revelation 19
After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
"Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."
And again they shouted:
"Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:
"Amen, Hallelujah!"
Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
"Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both small and great!"
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."
At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Revelation 19 (NIV) www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%2019:1-10;&version=31
Have a great week!
Chip Stam
Director, Institute for Christian Worship
School of Church Music and Worship
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, Kentucky