Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives the reader a hint of what’s to come in a story. Merriam-Webster defines foreshadow as “to represent, indicate or typify beforehand; prefigure.” Many times it serves to prepare the reader for bad news. The character who coughs on page 10, may be dead by page 100. The Bible is full of foreshadowing. Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac in the Old Testament foreshadows God sacrificing His son Jesus in the New Testament. Jonah’s three day trial in the belly of the whale foreshadows the time between Jesus death and resurrection.

Sometimes good news is foreshadowed. Again from the Bible, Jesus’ resurrection was foreshadowed by his raising Lazarus from the dead. In a Christian worship service, the Eucharist is said to be a “foretaste of the feast to come.” In other words, a glimpse into heaven; a small, worldly taste of what we can expect when we eventually meet God face to face.

I believe that I experienced a different foretaste of heaven last week. The Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Church in America installed a new bishop, our own John Macholz, former pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church in Rochester. The ceremony,  held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on East Ave., was full of all the pomp and circumstance you would expect to find in an East Ave. church. Half of the attendees were clergy, all dressed in various robes. The dominating color was red. There were wonderful rites and prayers and messages, but what resounded with me was the music. Every song had trumpet flourishes and brass accompaniment. And the people were not afraid to sing. Hundreds of voices were raised together praising God.

I belong to a small, country church that I love. I love the closeness that it provides, the feeling of family. We have a beautiful old organ,  a gifted organist, and a pastor who plays multiple instruments. Also, we love to sing. But 40 voices just cannot compare to 400. In the book of Revelation, chapter 19, John gives us this glimpse of heaven. “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,…'” Picture millions of people of all races singing God’s praises at once. When we join together here on earth to sing God’s praises, we are getting a foretaste of that glory to come. I had such a taste last week. “Amen. Come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20)