This Week’s Theme
The Multitude from Every Nation
Revelation 7.9-17
(The Knowledge of the Holy [KOTH], Chapter 22)

In one of the visions John the apostle received on the isle of Patmos, he looked, and saw a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. This multitude was clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

John testified that while he viewed this sight, all the angels were standing around the throne, along with the Elders and the four living creatures he had observed in his vision of the throne room. These Elders and four living creatures fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

In the midst of this vision, one of the elders addressed John, saying to him, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” John answered, “Sir, you know.” The elder answered that this multitude were those ones who came out of the great tribulation. They had washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The elder said that these therefore are before the throne of God, serving him day and night in his temple. The one who sat on the throne would shelter them with his presence, and they would never hunger any more, neither would they thirst anymore, for the sun would never strike them, nor any scorching heat.

The elder declared that the Lamb himself in the midst of the throne would be their shepherd, and he would guide them to springs of living water, and God would wipe away every tear from their eyes. This is the vision of God’s redeemed company, the saints of God who make up that great multitude of the redeemed to come.

Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Almighty and everlasting God, who adorns the sacred body of your church by the confessions of holy martyrs; grant us, we pray you, that both by their doctrines and their pious example, we may follow after what is pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ The Leonine Sacramentary (Bright, p. 79)

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus 

You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.

Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day

Thursday: Eph. 4-6

Lectionary Readings

Psalm: Ps. 34.1-10, 22

OT: Rev. 7.9-17

Gospel: Matt. 5.1-12

NT: 1 John 3.1-3

(Click here for all readings)

Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Departing to Serve
Benediction 

Almighty and everlasting God, Who adornest the sacred body of Thy Church by the confessions of the holy Martyrs; grant us, we pray Thee, that both by their doctrines and their pious example, we may follow after what is pleasing in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ Leonine Sacramentary (Bright, p. 68)

Affirmation for the Day
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples (Gen. 49.10).

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Salvation belongs to you Father, and to You, dear Lord Jesus, Lamb of God and our Savior.

For Your Weekly Journey

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Sovereignty of God, Romans 11.33-36

Book Reading
Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy