The liveliest church service I ever attended occurred in the West African nation of Ivory Coast. Clapping, singing, and dancing all erupted at various times, including from the old white dude visiting that Sunday. Thanks to the graciousness of wonderful hosts, I never felt odd or out of place. I felt welcomed as a fellow follower of Jesus.

That morning with those joyful disciples leapt to mind when I read about the gigantic worship service described in Revelation 7:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.

Every nation, tribe, people and language refers to every ethnos, or people group, in the world. Which means that worshippers of Jesus will be found not just among nations, but among every distinct body of language and culture around the globe. We’re not there yet, as far as missiologists tell us, but every day the gospel spreads. Soon, this vision will be realized.

The heavenly gathering won’t be somber or sad. Rather, I picture it as joyous, raucous, and unlike any gathering you or I have ever attended.

I don’t want to miss it.

Revelation 7 in week forty-nine of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Eva Blue

Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem with the hope and vision and resources to rebuild the walls of the city. As he rallied the people and started the work, he encountered detractors who opposed rebuilding the wall.

First, opponents mocked their efforts. What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!

When insults failed to halt progress, Nehemiah’s enemies plotted violence. Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.

Learning of these threats, Nehemiah rallied his people. Not minimizing the situation, he first encouraged with vision. Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.

Then Nehemiah posted guards and armed every worker—each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.

The resistance melted, and the wall stood completed in record time.

Opposition brings a variety of responses to my gut. Sometimes I want to quit, especially if the task looks daunting and I seem alone in the work. But other times, when alongside people who share an encouraging picture of the future and who join the work with me, I jump in.

I watch for these types of people. I meet very few like Nehemiah (such an outstanding leader), but I know several who approach problems with a positive mindset and a hand to help.

Always room for more of those folks in my life.

Nehemiah 4 in week forty-nine of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Robert Bye

One of my favorite movies of all time is Ghostbusters, released in 1984, filled with goofiness and quick one-liners repeated ever since. I bet I’ve said “dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria” a thousand times (if you’re a fan of the film you get my drift).

I also like when movies quote scripture, and Ghostbusters includes a dive into a biblical text. Two of the ghostbuster crew, Ray (played by Dan Aykroyd) and Winston (Ernie Hudson), drive across town in the dark just before dawn. They start talking about God, and quickly turn to the book of Revelation.

In the movie Ray quotes Revelation 7:12, (he’s actually quoting Revelation 6:12)—I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth make of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth.

Judgement Day.

Along with getting the reference wrong, the ghostbusters leave out words and add in a few as they remember the text. But they are quoting from memory as they head toward a battle with the ancient Hittite god Gozer, so let’s cut them some slack.

I read this passage this morning and my mind took me down into this wacky world of ghost chasing. But there’s nothing wacky about the events represented in Revelation. In the movie, Ray refers to judgment day as a myth, but Winston immediately pushes back with the idea that judgement day is upon them—perhaps the dead have been rising from the grave! Ray turns on the radio to avoid the subject.

I tend to avoid the subject as well. Who knows when the events portrayed might come to pass? In this delightful theological scene, Winston gives the words of scripture the attention they deserve, while Ray chooses to ignore their warning.

So, when choosing a ghostbuster to emulate, I’d go with Winston, based on his appreciation for Biblical truth. And spoiler alert—if you see the newest movie in the franchise (Ghostbusters: Afterlife)—you’ll discover that Winston did pretty well for himself after that confrontation with the giant Stay-Puft marshmallow man.

Revelation 6 in week forty-nine of reading the Bible cover to cover

Image from Sony Pictures

My math teacher in high school liked to give tests on December 7. As he handed out thick packets of problems he gleefully exclaimed, today is Pearl Harbor Day, and here is my attack! The man needed a life.

Today is the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The devastation caused by the bombing shocked the US and the world. Most of the US Pacific fleet lay peacefully at anchor, unprepared for the assault at hand, and this lack of preparation proved indispensable in the success of the raid.

Nehemiah, on the other hand, prepared well. Distraught at the vulnerable nature of Jerusalem, and helpless to resolve the problem, Nehemiah sought the Lord as he developed a plan. As cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah had access to the most powerful person in the world at that time. Perhaps the right words might sway the ruler.

First, Nehemiah showed his sadness in the king’s presence—true emotional vulnerability—as the king banished servants for upsetting him. But this king appreciated Nehemiah, and asked what troubled him.

Nehemiah shared his sorrow and the king responded, What do you want? After a deep breath and a brief prayer, Nehemiah revealed his big idea—If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.

Nehemiah followed with detailed plans for ways the king could provide the materials and finances for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Agreeing to all, the king even threw in a cavalry detachment and army officers to protect Nehemiah during the massive undertaking.

Had Nehemiah responded to the king’s question with, I’m not sure, let me get back with you, I suspect that our Bibles would be a few pages shorter. A lack of decisiveness in the presence of the king meant failure. Perhaps someone else might have rebuilt the walls, but not Nehemiah.

What plans or ideas are rolling around in your head? We never know when the circumstances align for us to act—it pays to prepare.

Nehemiah 2 in week forty-nine of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Michał Parzuchowski