Will Heaven Be a Quiet Place?

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!” (Revelation 7:9–10)

Today’s big question: will Heaven be a quiet place?

My church really knows how to sing. When I am there my countenance is joyful, my heart is lifted, and my voice becomes loud. I can join with the rest of my church family in adoration of our great, gracious, and mighty Lord and Redeemer. I have been in some congregations where the only people really singing are on the stage. But to walk into a place where the body of believers is singing heartfelt praise to God is incredibly edifying, especially when the lyrics declare the attributes and works of God.

No matter how amazing these times of praise have been, I get even more excited when I consider that nothing on earth can compare to what we will experience in heaven. Our taste of corporate praise in this world is merely a tiny morsel of what will be.

Today’s text describes a scene in heaven in which the great angelic creatures, the elders, and “a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, peoples, and tongues” are gathered around the throne and praising God. They are not whispering or mumbling their praise, nor are they just thinking it. Rather, they cry out with a loud voice saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” In unison this countless assembly loudly praises their Creator.

Can you even imagine being part of a scene like this one before the throne? Whether we make great statements like the one in today’s passage or we sing of God’s holy character, we need to be ready for some glorious, uplifting, and edifying noise. It will be far sweeter than any earthly sound. Bowing in righteousness, we will offer praises full of truth, expounding grace, delighting in love, and reveling in mercy. All this will be focused directly on God.

So if you think that in heaven you are going to kick back on your floating cloud, serenely strumming on a harp, think again. We will desire to serve and worship our King for all eternity. That desire will continually increase as we experience the glorious fullness of God throughout eternity. Bring it on.

Today’s big idea: Loud and magnificent praises will resound in heaven.

What to pray: sing some praise to God today.