Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for Friday.
Thursday: Read Revelation 5. Notice the images of “The Lamb” and all that He represents. What are your thoughts about Jesus in your life today? Be aware of what all He will do in the last day for you!
5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; 2 and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." 6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. 8 When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 They sing a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; 10 you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth." 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, "To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 14 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down and worshiped.
It is indeed a humbling thought that in heaven, on this day when the question is asked about who is worthy, John sees that no one steps forward and so he begins to weep bitterly. Keep in mind that he was not dead yet, he is a visitor with a pass, able to visit all this that is to take place, and this is setting the stage for our understanding totally all that Christ has and will do for us. Only "the Lamb" is worthy to open this special scroll with seven seals, it is revealed. And only because of what He did for us. The event turns into full worship with "myriads and myriads and thousands of thousanding singing with full voice (yep, they're Methodists!), "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." Quite the reward that is the Lord's for His having died for us. And the worship continues with everyone, everywhere, even under the sea singing praises to Jesus.
What then does this say to us? What Jesus did 2,000 years ago was worth it. It was not an isolated act that ended on the trash heap of Jerusalem with his body buried in some obscure place in the Middle East. It was but the start of the beginning of full relationship with God. Even now if we so desire we can have the fullness of God's love. And if we so choose we should rest assured that this relationship will never end. Even at our death, the relationships is sealed and guaranteed for all eternity. What are we suffering or facing that might make us doubt? Is that problem or challenge greater than the love of God? I think not. We as Christians have a solid rock relationship with God. Nothing can ever take it away.
PRAYER: Loving God we face so much and sometimes we worry so much, but let the reading from today remind us again of how powerful and eternal You are. Let the joy of our salvation sing in our hearts a song of worship that will never end. We pray in the name of He who is worthy, Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Have a great day! Be a blessing!
e.v.
