LBW 314, “Who Is This Host Arrayed in White?”
Devotion
I recently heard a different rendition of this great Norwegian hymn. Its bold, triumphant performance renewed my desire to have this hymn played at my funeral.
It is based on Revelation 7, in which people from every nation stand before God’s throne. John is told, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14).
The early Christians certainly went through an ordeal, facing persecution for their faith in the risen Christ. Even today, life can be an ordeal. The Bible warns us that violence and suffering will precede Christ’s return.
This hymn offers a word of hope. After the ordeal, it proclaims, the saints in Christ shall rest and be blest “a thousand times” for keeping the faith. All will join the glorious heavenly choir, with Jesus himself as its inspiration.
Prayer
Lord God above, may our worship today be a foretaste of the great heavenly gathering that your servant John envisioned, giving glory to the One who has washed us in his redeeming flood. I Jesu navn (in Jesus’ name), Amen.