2019-05-24
Good Morning Dear Ones,
As you know, I have been continuing to present supporting Scriptures to the book of Colossians, and I will do that today. My hope is to answer the question: What does it mean to appear with Christ in glory? [COL 3: 3-4]. Light is shed on this compelling subject in the book of Revelation. Let’s begin with what we learn in REV 4 about worship in heaven. The apostle, John, who had this amazing vision describes what we must assume is God, the Father, in rather fantastic terms. “The Spirit took control of me. A throne with someone sitting upon it, one with a face that gleamed like such precious stones as jasper and carnelian surrounded by the color of emeralds. Sitting in 24 thrones and dressed in white and wearing golden crowns were the elders in a circle around the main throne. The sound of thunder could be heard, and flashes of lightning could be seen. In front of the main throne, seven torches burned, representing the seven Spirits of God.” (Seven represents the fullness of completion) [REV 4: 1-5]. The four living creatures, described in REV 4: 6-8a, were also in front of the main throne. “Day and night, they sang the Ter Sanctus-‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, Who is, and Who is to come.’ Each time, the elders would prostrate themselves and sing of the Creation. “Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. For You created all things and, by Your will, they were given existence and life” [REV 4: 8b-11]. While there is no mention in REV 4 of the presence of those humans who have gone to heaven before us, our omniscient God knows by giving John this vision that we, who are still living on earth, would hear of it.
REV 5 is the next place that might give us insight into what heaven is like. John sees the 24 elders, each with a harp and golden bowl with incense, which is the prayers of God’s people. They prostrate themselves before the Lamb’s [Christ’s] throne and sing Redemption-a song representing the work of the cross. REV 5: 8b-10, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open the (7) seals. For You were killed, and by Your sacrificial death, You were brought for God’s people from every tribe, language, nation, and race. You have made them a kingdom of priests and serve our God, and they shall rule on earth.” A huge number of angles stood around God’s throne. They sang the 7-Fold Doxology, “The Lamb, Who was slain, is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise!” [REV 5: 11-12]. Then John heard all living beings in the universe sing the 4-Fold Doxology, “To Him, Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise, honor, glory, and might forever and ever!” [REV 5: 13-14]. In response, the four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the 24 elders once again prostrated themselves and worshipped (14).
REV 7 is the next place we should visit. Admittedly, I’m deeply touched by what God does next. REV 7: 2- 8 tells us that four angels had been given power to destroy parts of the earth and the sea. God calls out to them not to proceed until He has marked the foreheads of 12,000 Jews from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, for a total of 144, 000, with His seal. This means they would be protected from harm during the Judgments. At this point, it serves us well to remember as we study these future events, RO 11: 25, “There is a secret truth, my friends, which I want you to know, for it will keep you from thinking how wise you are. It is that the stubbornness of the people of Israel is not permanent but will last only until the complete number of Gentiles comes to God.” Now, let me return to REV 7: 9, “After I [John] looked, and there was an enormous crowd—no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, language, and they stood in front of the throne of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.” (The white robes symbolized righteousness and the palm branches were in respect to the Lamb Who triumphed over evil with His sacrificial act on the cross). Everyone worshipped God and the Lamb; they all sang the 7-Fold Doxology. In verse (16), God is told they safely came through terrible persecution, when He asked who these people are. Then, He promised His supply and protection; they would be guided to springs of life-giving water. Dear Ones, this is the promise our loving God will always keep for those who love and obey Him!
PRAYER: O Lord, we too come before Your throne and that of the Lamb Who was slain in reverence and awe to worship. Nowhere or from no one else can we bask in the warmth of Your unconditional love. We are honored to be in the Covenant of Grace! Our study of Biblical truth has led us to enjoy the power of Your goodness, graciousness, and kindness. In time, we will be looking at the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are only a small part of the blessings You make available to us. Despite our being undeserving, You are giving us the chance to be eternally forgiven, saved from spiritual death forever, and to bask in the light of Your approval. We see our Lord Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as full payment to ransom us out of the marketplace of sin. Such love is beyond our full comprehension, but we know, by means of the Holy Spirit, that this is what is best for us in the eternal sense. Dearest Father, we continue to confess our sinfulness to You with openness and honesty, in the hope that Your forgiveness and our obedience to You will save us for eternity. Our fondest hope is to spend that future time in sweet fellowship and with reverential respect with You. We acknowledge Your amazing wisdom and love You for opening it to us, as You have to Your Son, Jesus. It is in His name that we utter this prayer. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: We will recall COL 3 and give supporting Scripture from REV 21-22 to clarify the question asked above regarding the meaning of appearing with Christ in glory. Revelation is a book that fascinates, at times is frightening, and delights the true believer in Christ. I’ve spent quite a lot of time both studying and teaching it to others. While I don’t claim that I know all there will be for me to learn about it, I do believe it will happen in God’s perfect time and way. There are four major theories that attempt to explain the events of its 22 chapters to readers. It doesn’t matter which one you choose to believe; just ask the Lord, in prayer, to lead you to the one for you. We will all find out in His perfect time and way what the truth is. At this point in time after considerable prayer and thought, I believe that the book of REV is in chronological order of events on earth with three parenthetical interruptions giving a view of decisions being made in heaven. What really matters is how open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting our individual hearts are. So, there is no need to judge each other as to what theory we believe. They all lead us to greater faith in the personalities of the Trinity and God’s willingness to keep His promises. Let me end with PS 115: 1, “To You alone, O Lord, to You alone, and not to us must glory be given, because of Your constant love and faithfulness!”
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2019. All Rights Reserved
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