From the “Flowing Light of the Godhead” by St. Mechtild of Magdeburg (+1282)
On the last day, Christ Jesus shall hold aloft a glorious scale before his Father. Upon it will lie his holy toil and his innocent suffering, and in it and next to it all the blameless torment, humiliation, and interior pain that was ever suffered by human beings for the love of Christ. Indeed, when the right side of the scale sinks, those rejoice the most who have much upon it. The blood of virgins by its nature, the blood of martyrs shed for their Christian faith, and other blood spilled through killing but shed in innocence during justified self-defense: this is what the holy Son of God shall weigh together with his blood, because it was poured out in true innocence.
Our Lord, the heavenly Father, in his divine wisdom has stored away many ineffable gifts with which he intends to adorn his chosen children after the last day. Especially for his only begotten Son, Jesus our Redeemer, has the heavenly Father prepared and fashioned a crown with such rich and exquisite workmanship that all the craftsmen who ever existed, are now, and ever shall be could not fully capture the splendor and rich delights of this crown.
At the time of the Antichrist the crown shall be crenelated with many a glorious image, such as that of Elias and Enoch, and many holy martyrs shall be there before them wearing the flowers of the holiness of their life and enhanced by their precious blood.
Salvation and honor and glory belong to our God. Amen!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
See now the one who corrupted the earth is condemned
Death for the dark adulteress
Destroyed at last forever
By His judgments, just and true
He has avenged the blood of His saints
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The Lord God Almighty has come now forever to reign. Amen!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Let all those who love Him give glory, rejoice, and be glad.
The wedding of the Lamb has come
The bride has made herself ready
And she shall wear linen bright and clean
Woven of the faithful acts of His saints
King of kings, and Lord of Lords
He is the King of kings, and Lord of Lords
King of kings, and Lord of Lords
King of kings, and Lord of Lords
Hallelujah!