Soon!

Here is the link to last week’s devotional series, Soon!.

He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 

Revelation 5:7

Last week we saw that John wept because he thought that no one could open the scroll in God’s hand. If that had been true, then sin would continue to destroy people and there would be no end to Satan and death. But we know Who is worthy to open the seals to release judgement on wickedness.

Jesus!

Look at the key verse above. You can just imagine the sight! Jesus takes the scroll from God’s hand. Remember, our God is Spirit. Don’t get bogged down trying to understand this mystery. This is not vital to your redemption. We will see clearly one day. But for now, let’s keep learning together, this marvelous book that God wants us to share.

And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”

Jesus is receiving the utter worship from all of the saints in verses 8-14.

God receives glory from the praise to Himself and His Son.

And a new song, a song that has not ever been sung before, is lifted

We have seen the description of the golden bowl where God receives the prayers of the saints—us! Every longing we’ve prayed about, every praise, cry for help, and thanksgiving, along with our intercessory prayers, is in those bowls. Those prayers are pleasing to God. I love this picture, don’t you?

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
 belong to the one sitting on the throne
 and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

Revelation 5:7-14 (NLT)

It is too easy to read these verses and glaze over. But think of it. Millions of angels, heavenly creatures and all believers will be singing in one voice to the King of Kings. And the song we will sing lists attributes of Jesus. So, get a head start practicing by saying these passages out loud.

Here are the attributes of our Lord:

POWER- There’s nothing He cannot do!

RICHES- Jesus has every resource at His disposal. “He owns the cattle on 1,000 hills.” Psalm 50:10

WISDOM- Jesus has the answer for every problem, burden, sorrow

MIGHT- Jesus has already defeated evil.

HONOR- All the glory and honor belong to Him.

GLORY- He will be glorified. He is Lord over all authority and principalities and governments.

BLESSING- Look at Ephesians 1:3 – really you should read that whole scripture. Jesus will be blessed, Jesus is blessed, and He blesses the saints with the things that matter- with our redemption and with His holy attributes so that we can serve Him by completing the Great Commission.

How can believers read this passage and not feel utter adoration for our Lord and His Son? How can you go to worship service at your church and not want to sing at the top of your lungs.

Just singing Jesus’ name is a sweet blessing.

I love living this life that God has given me. I don’t want to quit living for Him. But at the same time, I cannot wait until we see what John saw in this mystifying, beautiful book of Revelation.

Share the reason for your hope in this world. Live wholly committed to the King of Glory. And “watch and pray.” Matthew 26:41

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.