When the future is revealed . . .

 

 

READ Revelation 1–5

The OT prophet Isaiah wrote about a book that illustrated a vision of the future. He said, “And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, ‘Read this,’ he says, ‘I cannot, for it is sealed.’ And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, ‘Read this,’ he says, ‘I cannot read.’ “ (Isaiah 29:11–12)

Daniel also wrote about a book that referred to “the end” and suggesting that even though humanity would be active in exploration of knowledge, that book would be sealed and no one could read it. It was given to him yet not understood. He questioned and was told, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4)

Today’s reading points again to that sealed book. John had been taken in the spirit to the throne of heaven and describes seeing living creatures and twenty-four elders worshiping the Lord God . . .

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:1–8)

Like a curtain going up, this is a dramatic scene, but with far greater import. What would Jesus do with the book? And what would those surrounding the throne do as He took it? And what would the pages of that book reveal? A few more verses add to the drama:

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:9–14)

In this moment at the climax of history, every creature witnesses this event. They could have crowded close and cried, “What does it say? What does it mean?” but that is not what happened. Instead they shouted, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” and they fell before Him in worship.

The history of Christianity is filled with predictions and wild guesses about what will happen in the end. Cults also ignore the fact that the book is sealed and no one knows the day or the hour. Many are trying to figure out what it says even though the Bible is clear; only the Lamb of God is worthy to open that book and reveal what it says. This passage tells me what I already know: it is folly to play the guessing game for the only option that fits is not curiosity and date-setting but on-my-face worship. He is worthy, not only to open the book, but “to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Instead of questions about the future, I must praise His worth — lest I risk fearful terror when I finally see and understand the book and its contents.

 

 

Above anything I can imagine . . .

In our modern technology, we can create scenes and images limited only by our imaginations. Some of those done for television and movies are so realistic that I often wonder if children can tell the difference. Do such creatures and places really exist?

When I read the scenes and images John saw in heaven, I’ve no doubt they existed. He did his best to describe them yet I cannot ‘see’ them in my imagination. Little wonder that the Bible says, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”(1 Corinthians 2:9)

When exiled on an island, John was given a revelation of Jesus Christ that astounded him and confuses us who read it. There is symbolism but also scenes and characters that are difficult to grasp. Here is what he has to say about the throne of God and how it boggles his mind:

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: (Revelation 4:2–6)

From this, the word ‘magnificence’ comes to mind. Jesus is magnificent and those who are seated with Him are without flaw, shining and glorious. John goes on . . .

Before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:6–11)

Jesus is presented in the gospels as a king/lion, ox/servant, man/one of us, and eagle/Lord over all, yet these four are not said to be Jesus even though they see everything. Some think they are angels, but whoever they represent, they worship the Lord God Almighty as do the twenty-four elders, also hard to identify.

The only certainty in this incredible vision is that everyone and everything present points to the throne of God and declares Him worthy of all worship and praise and honor. He created all things — no one created Him. This plainly says that I cannot make up God like a graphic artist makes up critters and moving pictures of things beyond human experience. John did not ‘imagine’ what he saw. If he had, he would explain what it all meant. He could not do that; he could only describe it to the best of his vocabulary.

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Lord Jesus, walking with You is sometimes like that. I cannot always understand what You are doing in my life never mind explain it to the satisfaction of my family and friends, and often not to myself. I just know that You are revealing Yourself to me and causing me to bow in worship before You. I know that You alone are worthy of all honor and praise. I’ve not had a vision like John’s vision, but like him, I know Your love and grace and I know I deserve none of the goodness You have shown me. You are utterly amazing.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- the magnificence of my Lord and Savior.

- His care for His people.

- one day I will see some of what John seen and understand.

- a great medical report: “normal or improved” in all areas!

- the smell of homemade bread.

- leftovers for those days I’m too tired or busy to be in the kitchen.