I don’t think anyone’s saying, “Keep it down!” in heaven. I don’t think that there’s much concern about using your “inside voice” when you’re before the throne of God. And I don’t imagine that it’s because hosts of angels and multitudes from earth are trying to shout over one another in order to be heard . . . but rather, I sense it’s because of an energy . . . a passion . . . that it’s because everything is so alive. And, as I continue to read in Revelation this morning, I’m reminded that alive-ness is fueled by anticipation . . .

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God . . .  
                                                                             (Revelation 11:15-16 ESV)

Loud voices in heaven . . . anticipating the reign of Christ. Loud voices in heaven . . . awaiting the rule of heaven, which is currently established in the hearts of believer, to be established on the earth. Loud voices in heaven . . . speaking today to those with ears to hear.

It doesn’t say so explicitly, but imagine that those shepherds out in the fields some 2,000 years ago heard loud voices. There they are . . . maybe half asleep as everything has settled down for the night . . . I’m guessing it was dark . . . and then all of sudden . . . BAM!!!! . . . someone throws on a light switch . . . the glory of the Lord, the brightness of the unapproachable light which envelopes God, shines around them. Shield the eyes . . . squint up into the sky . . . feel your knees buckle. And then hear the voice . . . the angel’s voice . . . what I imagine to be a heavenly loud voice . . .

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 ESV)

Good news? Pretty much. He who would be King comes first as Savior. He who would reign comes first to rescue. He who in absolute essence is holy and spotless comes first to be made sin for those in bondage to sin. He, though being rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich (2Cor. 8:9). Loud voice stuff? Yeah . . . the sort of news worthy of some energy and passion . . . the kind of truth needing to be shouted from the skies.

Lots of things “competing” for the air waves at this time of year . . . easy for the loud voice to be lost in the cacophony of busyness and tradition . . . for the good news worthy of the loud voice to be like seed that falls along the path but is devoured by birds sent by an enemy before it can take root. I can’t help but feel that mine is to contend for the loud voice . . . to hear it afresh . . . to proclaim it anew . . . to join with “a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:13-14) . . . to become part of the choir of loud voices gathered around the throne . . . falling on their faces . . . worshiping their God . . . passionately proclaiming,

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and and who was, for You have taken Your great power and begun to reign”   (Revelation 11:17a ESV)

O come let us adore Him . . . with loud voices even . . . Christ, the Lord!