The final opening ceremony

All nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested. — Revelation 15:4

Some words used to describe the opening ceremony of the 2008 summer Olympics were awesome, breathtaking, and extravagant. One commentator observed. “This shows what happens when you give an artist an unlimited budget.”

When I heard this, I thought, That’s what God did at creation! He held nothing back. The resulting universe is stunning in beauty, staggering in complexity, extravagant in all regards.

The Olympic ceremony was perfect in its precision; but if just one drummer or dancer had decided to alter the artist’s vision, the whole ceremony would have been flawed.

That’s what happened shortly after creation. Unlike the Olympic producer, God allowed free choice, and His work of art was marred by Adam and Eve’s idea of a better way. In Isaiah’s words, “We have turned, every one, to his own way” (53:6).

God’s solution to our waywardness was unimaginable: The Artist paid the price to recreate what we ruined. One day, there will be another opening ceremony, and everyone in heaven and on earth will bow at the name of Jesus (Phil. 2:10). And those from every nation who have accepted God’s plan in Christ will worship together in the flawless New Jerusalem (Rev. 15:4).

— Julie Ackerman Link

Yes, God was so great in creation,

But greater, much greater in grace!

For when man had sinned and had grieved Him,

He sent Christ to die in his place!

— Bennard

READ:  Revelation 15

We have all eternity to praise God — begin today.

The Bible in one year:

• Genesis 20-22

• Matthew 6:19-34