Month: September 2016

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 6 (day one)

There are seven seals on the scroll. And only Jesus is worthy to open them and set in motion the last events.  Lion AND Lamb, Alpha AND Omega, only He has the authority.

There are also (we will see in the next chapters) seven trumpets and seven bowls of wrath to be poured out on a world of rebellious men.  In every case (the seals and the trumpets and the bowls) the seventh involves an earthquake.  See 8:5, 11:19, 16:18.  Are these three separate and successive events?  (Some say yes)  Are they different symbols for one reality (the progressive and terrible judgement of God)?  (Others put their confidence here)

Whatever else we conclude, these are frightful symbols and warnings.  “But because of your stubbornness and the unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of God’s righteous judgement.”–Romans 2:5

Please, Lord, use your word to prepare your people.

 

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day seven)

“Behold, a door standing open in heaven.”–v 4:1.

How long had the door been open?  I wonder.  John didn’t see it opening.  It was open when he saw it.  Maybe the symbolism is that heaven always is!

The Bible tells of a God who is light.  He shines!  Wants to be noticed and known.  From eternity, the great and good and glorious One has made ways to communicate Himself to the creation.  He invites us to know Him.  Calls us.

It gives new meaning to Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”  What if (now and always) the lock on the door is on our side rather than His?  What if we don’t know because we don’t want to know, stubbornly unwilling to meet God’s conditions?

Ever hear of an “open book”?  God is an “open door”.

“Ask. . .receive, seek. . .find, knock, and it (the door) will be opened.”–Matthew 7:7

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day six)

“And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,’To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and dominion forever and ever.” Revelation 5:13

There will come a time when the Great Commission becomes totally obsolete. The church will no longer do missions; Gospel proclamation will no longer be an act of missions, but an act of worship. This is a good reminder of the truest purpose of Christ’s bride, the church-worship! Pastor John Piper said it like this, “Missions happens because worship doesn’t.” We were made for worship, that eternal and sweet fellowship with God the Father, through the Son, and by the power of the Spirit.

When that days come there will no longer be brokenness, and sin, there will no longer be war and opposition, there will only be worship from every created thing.

I can’t wait! How about you? In the meantime worship…and be on mission. Oh, and by the way, worship and mission are never mutually exclusive; one flows out of the other.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day five)

It’s the same picture we see in Revelation 1. Remember the description of the Glorified Christ? Strong, Wise, Holy, Powerful, Intimidating, and Magnificent!! Yet the same person comes to John and demonstrates love, compassion, and kindness by placing His hand on John’s shoulder and speaking words of encouragement. Same thing is found in Revelation 5. He is BOTH the Lion (Conqueror, Strong, Majestic, Ferocious) AND the Lamb (Gentle, Humble, Approachable, and Innocent).

There is danger in only seeing and acknowledging one or the other of these characteristics of Jesus. Relating only to Him as the Lamb, could make a human heart overconfident, arrogant, and prideful. But relating to Him as only the Lion could cause unhealthy and oversensitive fear, panic and separation, and an unwillingness to approach or trust Him.

We must see and sense Jesus in all his glory and mercy!! He is BOTH the Lamb that we can love and trust AND the Lion that we can submit to and serve!!

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day four)

Israel was looking for a lion!  Their concept of the coming Messiah was a military leader and conqueror who would lead a rebellion against Rome and overthrow their government.  Jesus was none of that.  The Jews crucified Jesus because they did not recognize Him as the messiah.  What they did not understand was that before there could be a ‘Lion of Judah’, there had to be a ‘Lamb of God’.  The picture that John sees in heaven when he looks for the Lion is a small Lamb, standing as if it were slain.  The Lion of Judah was worthy to open the scroll because He had given His life as a sacrificial lamb on the cross in obedience to the Father.

What are you looking for?  Are you looking for a deliverer who can conquer all your enemies and provide you all the comforts of life?  Are you wanting to share in the rewards of victory without the discipline of obedience?  Don’t miss God’s plan for your life because you are looking for your own self-defined Savior!

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day three)

“There before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.”  “There is no there there,” Gertrude Stein famously said after visiting her childhood home and discovering it was no more.  Such a phrase taps into the common human anxiety that what should be permanent actually decays or fades away or perhaps didn’t really ever exist in the way you thought it did.  When a man contemplates God, that old anxiety again surfaces: What if God does not exist?  What if I have nowhere to go?  What if there is no there there?  In our sin-dimmed thinking, we have forgotten God, and we have lost the way to find him.  Into that twilight, John speaks a word of revelation: Someone occupies the place of sovereignty.  How will you live when you understand that God reigns?

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day two) “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” 5:12

Who or what in our lives is worthy (to receive honor and glory)? I mean someone or something that is so deserving of honor and respect that there can be no dispute of their worthiness. The more pluralistic our society comes, and the more man-centric we are it seems there can be no consensus. No matter the figure it seems some group can’t reconcile some part of their story, and therefore refuses to bestow respect.

While this is sad, there are some great people throughout history who have done great things, it is also accurate. In its truest sense the only one truly WORTHY is Jesus. Even those who condemned him found no fault in him. He laid down his life to be lifted up and exalted.

Next time you find yourself disappointed in another flawed creature, consider looking higher. This Jesus never sought power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, or glory, yet by his obedient nature that submitted his will totally to the father is faultless and truly WORTHY of all honor we can give.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 4:1-7, 5:1-14 (day one) 

What does Heaven look like?  What will we hear?  John knows.

It looks like COLORS.  Jasper (rich, brownish-yellow–some scholars think a diamond is meant).  Carnelian (red)  Emerald (a rainbow of green, probably multiple shades and tints of it).  White robes.   Gold crowns.  Crystal sea.  Blazing lamps.

It looks like people/beings.  Like life.  The One on the throne is never described.  The ACTIVITY around Him is.  Living creatures (very similar to those Ezekiel saw) Elders casting crowns down in show and symbol of humility.

It sounds like SINGING!  Songs of praise to the Lamb slain and to the One who sits on the throne. People and angels and creatures and creation. “Worthy is the Lamb” they sing in great, majestic chorus.

It sounds like THUNDER, the rumbling judgement of God ready to be revealed to a world of unrepentant men.

Before we can understand John’s vision, we must see and hear it.  It is going to be a great week of RE Verse reading!

 

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day seven)

I believe the seven stars in Revelation 1-3 represent seven pastors.  Seven men (we never know their names) who were called by God for a certain period of time to feed and lead a congregation of His people.  Seven men to whom the Risen Savior communicated His concerns and commands, with the expectation that they would faithfully and courageously pass them to His people.

In the vision, they are symbolized as stars.  Tiny spots of light in a dark sky.  None of them noteworthy “in and of themselves”.  Taken together,however, and over the long history of the earth, a beautiful display of faithful testimony and service.

Modern churches sometimes make “stars” of their Pastors.  Celebrities.  “On stage” personalities.  God has a different vision.  He values them as men to whom He has given responsibility–for His word and His flock.

He holds them in His hand.  A sweet reminder of this calling and privilege.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day five) 

Revelation2:5 “Therefore remember”, Revelation 3:3 “So remember”

One of the biggest blessings from working with teenagers is watching and hearing their moments of conversion, and spiritual clarity. It is SO beautiful and inspiring when the Lord comes near and clearly speaks to their hearts. Priorities change. Perspective shifts. Devotion grows. Joy fills. It is always a reminder of the power and strength of God.

So today, will you remember? Maybe these questions will help…Who led you to Christ? When and where were you? Who did you tell? How did you tell? Have there been moments when God was clearly drawing near to you in order to draw you to Himself? How did your heart change? How did you look at life and circumstances differently? Have there been times in church, camp, revival meetings, or personal devotional times when God overwhelmed you?  Remember!! Rejoice!!