Revelation 5:11-14 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. 12 They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! 13 I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say: Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. “I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:8 This is what God said about Himself over 2,800 years ago. It remains true today as when He first said it and when John wrote down the Revelation of Jesus Christ. So, as it it has been said, either Jesus is a liar, lunatic or LORD. There are many people who honor Jesus as they would Gandhi, a good man. Some say He was an angel, others the brother of Lucifer and some even a mighty prophet or good teacher but to say He is God Almighty and equal to the Father may be more than some would confess. But it it exactly what He is revealed to be in Scripture. Jesus, multiple time proclaims Himself to be the I AM and He was proven to be so by miracles. In today's reading Jesus is recognized as, "worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" from every one! Billions of angelic beings as well as human beings, all giving Him "glory" which God said He would NOT share with another. God does not have to share His Glory with Jesus because it belongs to Him. It is His by nature because He is God. So let us say with all heaven and earth, "Blessing and honor and glory and dominion to the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" AMEN What we believe concerning Jesus is a gift and is believed by faith but faith is not without evidence. It is backed history, archaeology, and the Bible that without we would not have what we need to be saved. Hold on to what you know about Jesus and know that there are many who don't know and need to know Him. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Memory Verse of the Week: They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Revelation 5:12
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Revelation 5:8-10 8 When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed people for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. Years ago I played Jesus in a church play and the woman who was playing Mary fell at my feet as if I was Jesus. She was very emotional and convincing as she recited her lines and I remember thinking how strange it is to have someone at my feet. Even in Jesus day it must have been strange for a Jewish woman to bow low to a man when they knew that only God is to be worshiped but Jesus was not just a man. He was and forever will be the perfect God/Man. Jesus was not only entitled to receive worship, He accepted it every time. In today's passage the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders fell down and worshiped Him. They sang a new song and it started with, "You are worthy". Jesus was the only one in all of heaven and earth worthy to even take the scroll from the Father's hand. Then they praised Jesus for what He has done. He redeemed people for God by His blood and not just the Jewish people but people from every tribe, language and nation. I used to think it strange when I read this because I know there have been people groups in the world that have never even heard the name of Jesus until I heard a preacher say that as long as children have passed away either in or out of the womb there will be representatives of all people groups in heaven. The blood of Jesus Christ covered them. As if it wasn't privilege enough to be in the presence of the King of Kings our passage today tells us that Jesus makes us a kingdom of priests to God and that we will reign with Him on earth in the new creation even as He intended for us to do so from the very beginning. Never was it God's goal that we spend eternity in heaven with Him but rather that we rule with Him on Earth. Have you ever thought about the idea of ruling with Jesus? We have plenty of bad examples of what it means to rule here and now but in Christ we see the perfect ruler- Lion and Lamb. How will you use the authority that Jesus has given you now over yourself and others, your little brothers and sisters or those younger than you in school even those your age that you may be in charge of to some degree? We must follow His lead, it is at the core of being a Christian. It means you are a Christ follower. Think about this as you go about your day. How will you choose to follow Jesus today. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Memory Verse of the Week: They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Revelation 5:12 Revelation 5:6,7 6 Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. 7 He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One seated on the throne. The way Jesus is pictured today may sound like something out of a horror movie but it is actually quite beautiful when you understand it's meaning. Just about everyone has a scar somewhere on their body. It's there reminding you of something that happened to you. It gives you a story to tell. I have a ton of scars, each tell a different story. The oldest scar that I can remember is a small scar on my calf. I must have been about 4 years old, I was carrying some bottles I was going to take back to the store for deposit. I don't remember why but I dropped them and a small piece of glass went into my leg and that is what cause my forever scar on my left leg. Jesus is pictured today as, "One like a slaughtered lamb". If I were Jesus I would want absolutely no reminder of what He suffered on our behalf but here we are told that He is forever marked with those wounds. I love that God is not just pictured sitting on a throne in heaven He also cared enough to become a human being and experience life in body just like us. He knows our pain and suffering both physical and emotional. He knows what it means to depend fully on the Father and to be empowered by the the Holy Spirit. This is how Jesus can relate personally to His people. In ancient times horns meant power or authority. It is why king's crown have multiple points around it, they picture horns. Jesus, the lamb of God, is pictured having seven (the number of fullness or completion) horns, meaning full or complete authority. His sacrifice on our behalf gives Him the right to take the scroll out of the right hand of the Father. Jesus scars are a beautiful reminder of what He suffered on behalf of all those who belong to Him. Please, take a moment and click on the comment spot below. Tell me about one of your scars and the story behind it. :) (To leave a comment just pressed the word comment below.) Memory Verse: They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Revelation 5:12 Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.” We left off yesterday with John crying because no one was worthy to open the scroll in the right hand of God as He sat on the throne. It was a pretty awesome scene, which started in chapter 4, if you remember with God sitting at the center. From Him radiated light and colors, there were peals of thunder, lightning and fire.
So now John is told by one of the elders to, “Stop crying and Look! This he says because Jesus, "has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals." It was Jesus that John saw but He was described as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. It has been rightfully said, the Bible is a Jewish book. Who else would know this description of the Messiah. Jacob when telling his sons what will be there future says of Judah, Judah is a young lion-- my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until He whose right it is comes. He whose right it is is Jesus Christ. A scepter according to the dictionary, scep·ter ˈseptər/ noun
To know that God is in absolute control may seem distant and cold for some people but God's intimate care and love is also described in the Old testament and Hesed or love, goodness or kindness. In the New Testament as agape bot of which are centered on the other person. The fact that God intimately cares for His own and that He is in absolute control should bring us some consolation even confidence in troubling times. No matter what we are facing we can turn from facing out trouble to facing the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Revelation 5:1-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible 5 Then I saw in the right hand of the One seated on the throne a scroll with writing on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. 4 And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. Who doesn't like to watch a good courtroom drama. To see the case unfold and find out new details, hear testimonies and to watch as evidence is revealed is all fascinating. But the moment everybody is waiting for is that final sentencing which will not happen until the jury foreman gives the bailiff the note with the their decision and he hands it the judge. There is usually a moment of silence then and just after the note is read there is an uproar of mixed emotions in the courthouse. Some are elated while others are devastated but one thing is for sure, no one is indifferent. They were all there with time, money and emotion all invested in the outcome.
For me, the scroll introduced here in chapter 5 is that piece of paper. Only the judgement is neither handed down by the jury nor handed to the judge rather it is already decided by the judge and He has it in hand. One of the reasons those in the courtroom are so eager to hear the judgement is because they have been wronged and they want to see justice served on their behalf. The thing is, it will not happen until the judge opens the note and reads it out loud then what was written will come to pass. This is why John, "cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it." God's judgement is sure and in His hand. His judgement did not come by a jury of our peers and will not be determined after much deliberation. God Himself is the Righteous Judge and has already written down His judgments. They wait in His right hand until the day He decides it's time for them to be opened. When ?He does decide they will all come to pass just as He determined beforehand. That day there will be an uproar of emotion, some will be elated while others devastated. What we will feel that day is determined today at the foot of the cross. Have you received by faith the blood payment Jesus paid on behalf of sinners for the forgiveness of sin? Jesus was judged so that those who are in Him could stand before the Father forgiven. There are only two types of people in this world- 1. Those waiting to be judged by their own works and 2. Those who will be judged according to the finished work of Jesus Christ. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Revelation 4:9-11 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, the One who lives forever and ever, 10 the 24 elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, worship the One who lives forever and ever, cast their crowns before the throne, and say: 11 Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created. What do we have that has not been given to us? This is the question we started with on Tuesday night. Some would say they have obtained all they have by hard work and ingenuity but who gave them the time, talent and treasure in order to do so? If God didn't give us the resources we need, we would have nothing and you cannot create nothing out of nothing only God can do that. He is the uncaused cause. So whether we like it or not everything that we have has been given to us by a benevolent God who care for His creation in general and His own graciously. Yesterday we looked at this same scene but the 24 elders were sitting on thrones. Today we read what caused them to get off their seated positions and fall down in worship the One who is seated on the throne. It was the worship of the 4 living creatures. Does the worship of others cause us to change form the position we're in to one of active worship? We can either be the ones responding or the ones leading. Which one of these two do you find yourself being? or are you unmoved by the One being worshiped around you? Worship can be contagious but some people seem immuned. What is keeping you from full surrender and worship of the One who is, "worthy to receive glory and honor and power"?
Revelation 4:2-8 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven . One was seated on the throne, 3 and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. 4 Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads. 5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the throne. 7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop,saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming. My first time at Winter Jam was just a few years ago. I knew it would entertaining and loud but nothing could have prepared me for that first strike of the drums. It felt like my heart was going to pop out of my chest. That and the fact that just before it it was absolutely dark and then lights burst out along with that initial strike of the drums.Sights and sounds really get our attention and it's no wonder that God would show John such a marvelous sight in Revelation chapter 4. Imagine all the different sounds and colors- Jasper, carnelian stone, rainbow like emeralds, white gowns, golden crowns, flashes of lightening, rumbling of thunder, sea of glass and seven fiery torches.
In our passage today John is shown what human eyes cannot see. I would imagine it is figurative or symbolic in a sense because they are referred to as similes and metaphors. The reality is if there is nothing physical in a spiritual realm then you would have to use imagery that a physical being can understand and relate to. One thing that stands out to me is the posture of those in the scene. God sitting in the center as it should be. He is not roaming or pacing wondering what will happen, He is the Sovereign of all creation and the One with all authority. Then you have the 24 elders clothed in white- symbolic of the righteous imputed to them and the righteous act done through them by the Spirit of God whom the Son of God gave them, who proceeded from the Father. These 24 elders symbolize the fullness of the church, Jew and Gentile as Jesus promised, "But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. " John 10:16 These 24 elders who surround the throne are also sitting with crowns on their heads. These crowns were given to them by God as promised in various places throughout the New Testament. The imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life. read more: www.gotquestions.org/heavenly-crowns.html It is said that these four living creatures- represent the gospel ministers standing between God and the Church. The same four images are found in the four Gospels which each exemplify Jesus' Himself and His ministry in a unique way. Matthew the lion= Jesus the Promised King, Mark the calf= the suffering servant of God, Luke the man= the Son of Man and John the eagle= majestic Son of God. All of this culminates in the 4 living creatures saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming. The fact that God is Holy is more than just one of the many things God is. It is the river from which flows all of His attributes. God is Holy in His sovereignty. If not we would think humanly what sovereignty is, limited and localized to a particular time and place. But God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is Holy=Unique and with no equal in that He is sovereign in every place and throughout time that He Himself created! Like Isaiah who was saw the Lord seated on His throne and realized his own unworthiness so we too should be humbled as we read the description given of God and cry out with the four living creatures- Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty who was, who is, and who is coming. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Revelation 4:1 The Throne Room of Heaven After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” sov·er·eign ˈsäv(ə)rən/
noun
adjective
There are still people in this world that know what it is to be part of a kingdom with absolute power, where there is but one supreme leader and what he or she says goes. There is no committee, no parliament, no congress, no checks and balances only what that person wants and wills to happen. This is so foreign to us who are used to democracy and accountability of our elected leaders. But as much as we like our freedom it is a Sovereign Kingdom that God reigns. This morning as walked through the sanctuary from the back stairwell I saw one of staff members literally on his knees with hands on his hands covering his face and his head touching the floor praying out loud. He didn't even notice when I passed through. There is man who knows Who is in control of all things and knows where to go in the good, bad and times of life. God bless him and all those who find refuge under the mighty hand of our sovereign King. In this one verse we are are reminded that when God chooses what He has planned and purposed it will take place. There are no ifs, ands or buts only what God wants and wills in His time. For some, this may be off-putting but when you get to know the God who has revealed Himself in the pages of what we call the Bible and know that He is Good, that He cares for us and that His ultimate plan is to live with us in a world free of sin, shame and death then you will embrace not only the God of the Bible but also His plans. John is about to see the unfolding of the rest of history and I love that it starts with these words,“Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” He has just been told what to write to the seven churches and although there is much that the church must turn from, John as well as us today have much to hope for knowing that what God has planned and purposed He will execute in His time. Are you living in fear of Jesus second coming, wondering what will be or in confidence knowing what you have been given in His name by faith? I hope it's the latter. If it is not reach out to me or one of other leaders and share your questions, doubts and/or hesitations and we would love to walk you through them. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Revelation 3:14-22 Message to Laodicea 14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” pu·trid pyo͞otrəd/
adjective
It seems that students nowadays are constantly told how good they are, that they can do anything, that they are good in every way, even their bad or inappropriate behavior is excused by some as just a phase. This, so much so that when they are called out, the look on their faces are ones of complete amazement that someone would actually disapprove of something they're doing. The church in Laodicea was not what they should be and Jesus said because of it [He] would spit them out of [His] mouth. The old King James says He will spue them out and the Holman Christian Standard version says He will vomit them out. Either way the word is not one of passive tolerance but it is to expel with force something unpleasant, even repulsive. This is what Jesus thinks of the fruit of the labor of this church. There is just something about a lack of humility that is repulsive. That this church would think they could go through the motions in their own strength. Jesus said, "you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." But He doesn't end there, He tells them to acquire from Him what they need and even says, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent." So indeed Jesus does love this church because He doesn't just allow them to go their own way but rather corrects them and calls them to turn from their ways to Him who can provide them with everything they need. Can you hear what Jesus is saying? Are you needing something from Him but are so full of yourself that you can't see it? Jesus offers you the same thing, everything you need to be like Him. Make no mistake if you are a phony Jesus says He will spit, spue or vomit you out. A scary thought but it comes from the mouth of the One who is called, "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God." and He loves His own too much to leave them where they are at. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Revelation 3:7-13 The Letter to Philadelphia 7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: “The Holy One, the True One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and closes and no one opens says: 8 I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close. 9 Take note! I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—note this—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12 The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God—the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God—and My new name. 13 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. A swordfish spends its entire life in salt water and you still need to add salt to it after it’s cooked. Likewise, as believers we should NOT be permeated by the world around us. Being holy or set apart is hard enough because there are so many things that our eyes and bodies want as well as feeling we deserve certain things. But add to that bullying (biblically speaking- persecution) and it's a whole new ball park.
Jesus refers to Himself and the the Holy and True One which parallels what He says about the Church of Philadelphia, that they are holy and true. In contrast the Jews who persecuted them, He says, are not. They are a synagogue of Satan. Jesus promises much more to those who hold out now. He knew that this particular church would have to endure much. One of His wonderful promises is that those same bullies that probably mocked the church saying- Where is your God now, why isn't He saving you if He loves you so much, will one day bow down to them and know that Jesus has loved them! Don’t be like the kid who was promised an entire Smores sandwich if he waits 10 minutes holding a marshmallow but chooses the simple marshmallow. Expect more in the end because you held out and held on to Him now. The reality is, He is the One holding on to us. |
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