'At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.' Rev 4:2-3
There are two stories of hope during dismal times, to tell.
It was at the height of the the Thirty Years War in Europe, 1618 to 1648, which took an estimated 6-8 million lives and Martin Rinkart, a German Lutheran pastor served in the walled German town of Eillenburg. The town became a refuge from the ravages of war in the surrounding countryside and soon it became overcrowded with the people living in unhygienic squalid conditions. A epidemic of Bubonic plague raged through the city and many died. At the beginning there were four ministers in the town but soon Rinkart was the only one left when two died and the other fled the city. It was said that Rinkart had to conduct more than 4000 funerals as many as 40-50 per day. His wife was also a victim.
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| Thirty Years War Sebastiaan Vranc, Plunder of Wommelgem, Dusseldorf Museum |
Yet despite the many years of suffering Martin Rinkart experienced, he was able to pen one of the most famous Protestant hymn, 'Now Thank We All Our God'. It was translated to English by Catherine Winkworth.
Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills,
in this world and the next!
through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills,
in this world and the next!
All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns
with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God,
whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns
with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God,
whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
Patmos is a small Greek Island in the Aegean Sea to which John the Apostle was exiled at the height of persecution believed to be instigated by the Roman Emperor Domitian. This was the second persecution of Christians undertaken by the Roman Emperors. Among the numerous martyrs was Simeon, Bishop of Jerusalem and the Apostle John. St John was said to be boiled in oil and afterwards banished to Patmos. The book of Revelation in 1:9 recorded,
'I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word and testimony of Jesus.'
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| Jean Leon Jerome, Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer |
At Patmos, St John received the vision that led to the writing of Revelation. There was a celestial worship service described in Revelation 4.
'After this I looked and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and i will show you what must take place after this." Rev 4:1
'Day and night, they never stop saying: "Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty, who was and is and is to come." Rev 4:8b
'They lay with crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for You created all things and by your will they were created and have their being."
Just like Martin Rinkart, Keith and Kristyn Getty put this heavenly worship service to song, 'There Is A Higher Throne' to song.
There is a higher throne
Than all this world has known
Where faithful ones from every tongue
Will one day come
Before the Son we'll stand
Made faultless through the Lamb
Believing hearts find promised grace
Salvation comes
Hear heaven's voices sing
Their thunderous anthem rings
Through emerald courts and sapphire skies
Their praises rise
All glory, wisdom, power
Strength, thanks and honour are
To God our King who reigns on high
For evermore
And there we'll find our home
Our life before the throne
We'll honour Him in perfect song
Where we belong
He'll wipe each tear-stained eye
As thirst and hunger die
The Lamb comes as our Shepherd King
We'll reign with him.
Why, in the face of hardship, persecution and suffering would St John the Apostle and Martin Rinkart think of worshipping God? Jesus said,
'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' John 16:33b
The future is securely in God's control. He is on the throne.
Lionel
Inspired by a sermon given by Preacher Aphichai Chenrungrotsakun (a.k.a Loong) on the 26 Dec 2021 at Charis Methodist Church
