The heavenly liturgy found in the book of Revelation is particularly equivalent to the earthly liturgy found in the Mass. Christ Jesus, the Lord of lords and King of kings, eternal sacrifice on earth is present in heaven. Therefore, the mass of the church incorporates the heavenly elements of liturgy that St. John reveled through his Revelation. The heavenly liturgy and the earthly liturgy are one in the same with Jesus Christ as the High Priest. For example:
1.
Rev. 1:6, 20:60 – The recognition of the priesthood is
the same as the Churches.
2.
Rev. 1:10 – The heavenly liturgy that St. John
witnessed took place on the Lords day: Sunday.
3.
Rev. 1:13, 4:4, 6:11, 7:9, 15:6, 19:13-14 – Jesus is
wearing the vestments of a High Priest just as our priests vest themselves
before offering his sacrifice in the mass.
4.
Rev. 2:5, 16, 21; 3:3; 16:11 – There is a penitential
right in heaven just as the Holy Mass has right at the beginning.
5.
Rev. 2:17 – Manna in heaven = Eucharist on earth.
6.
Rev. 4:4, 5:14; 11:16, 14:3, 19: The word Priest comes
from the Greek Presbyteroi which means preside. A presider (Priest) presides
over a sacrifice. Earthly Priests preside over the heavenly sacrifice in
offering Jesus’ eternal sacrifice.
7.
Rev. 4:8 – The heavenly chant “Holy, Holy, Holy” is
also found in the mass, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus.
8.
Rev. 4:8-11, 5:9-14, 7:10-12, 18:1-8 – the Heavenly
hymns and Psalms are similar to the ones found in the mass.
9.
Rev. 5:1 – The book of scrolls of God’s word in heaven
= the liturgy of the word in the mass.
10. Rev.
5:6 – The heavenly description of Jesus as the Lamb of God is the same that is
professed in the Eucharistic liturgy.
11. Rev.
5:8, 6:9-11, 8:3-4 – Heavenly intercession of the saints is also found in the
mass.
12. Rev.
5:8, 8:3-4 – Incense in heaven used to lift up prayers is the same use in the
mass.
13. Rev.
5:14; 7:12; 19:4 – Mass in heaven is concluded with “Amen” which is the same in
the Holy Mass on earth.
14. Rev.
6:9 – Martyrs are seen under the altar. This is similar to the church keeping
relics of saints under or in the altar.
15. Rev.
7:3, 14:1, 22:4 – The sign of the cross is used in heaven and on earth in the
mass.
16. Rev.
8:1 – Silent contemplation in heaven = silent contemplation in the mass.
17. Rev.
8:3, 11:1, 14:18, 16:7 – An altar is used for sacrifice; the altar found in
heaven is the same altar found on earth for the same sacrifice of the mass.
Because there is an altar in heaven, we deduce that the sacrifice is eternally
present in heaven.
18. Rev.
11:12 – “Come up here” = “lift up your hearts”
19. Rev.
12:1-6, 13-17 – The heavenly emphasis on Mary is also found in the mass on
earth.
20. Rev.
12:7 – Heavenly emphasis on St. Michael the Archangel’s intercession is the
same as the concluding prayers of the mass. Pope Leo XIII added in 1886 that
the St. Michael prayer be said after every mass.
21. Rev.
14:4 – Heaven’s consecrated celibates = consecrated priests and religious.
22. Rev.
15:7, 16:1-4, 8, 10, 12, 17; 21:9 – Chalices used in heavenly liturgy =
chalices used to offer Christ’s sacrifice in the mass.
23. Rev.
15:3-4 – the “Gloria” is recited in heaven = the “Gloria” is recited in mass
after the penitential rite.
24. Rev.
15:5 – Tent in heaven = Tabernacle in the church.
25. Rev.
17, 19:9 – The consummation of the Lamb at heavens marriage supper is the same
as the Lambs supper in the mass: “consumatum est.”
26. Rev.
19:1, 3, 4, 6 – the “Alleluia” is sung in heaven as it is sung at the mass.
