Scripture Revelation 5:1-14
Tuesday
November 3rd is Election Day when the people of the United State
will cast ballots to vote for the President of the United States. Now, if you
think I might say something political or even begin to suggest who you ought to
vote for, you would be sadly mistaken. I have never once voted for the
president who rightly ruled the United States. I have voted for the person who
became president but even none of them ruled rightly. Is there anyone worthy to rightly rule the
United States of America? NO! Instead of a democracy I would prefer a theocracy
which means God is the only ruler. The only time that ever happened was in the
garden of Eden and I must say God was doing a fantastic job as ruler. Everyone
had plenty to eat, finances were great, there was no unemployment, everyone got
along (both of them) and there was peace and prosperity throughout the land.
However, even with the right ruler and only two citizens of the nation of Eden,
the people still figured out a way to mess things up…big time.
Therefore
it isn’t only about a ruler ruling the citizens rightly, it is also about the
citizens living rightly according to the righteous ways the ruler sets forth.
Is there a land where this happens? Is there a nation that lives this way? Can
we see this take place in the world in which we live? NO! and YES!
NO!
For all have not lived by the rules of the righteous leader.
YES!
In Jesus, we are made a righteous people by the one who alone was worthy to
make such a nation, a world, a kingdom, even possible.
We
will not see that perfect place here on earth. But Revelation makes it clear
that a day is coming when a new way will break through and Jesus will reign as the
righteous ruler and king in his forever kingdom.
When
will the time come when there will be no more wars, no more pandemics, no more
cancer, no more sex trafficking, no more sin, sickness and hatred, no more…you
fill in the blank?
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in
heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it
will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood,
people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day
Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the
flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the
Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other
left.
42 Therefore keep
watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand
this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming,
he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So
you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do
not expect him.
42 Therefore keep watch – The present imperfect tense
means – Keep a constant vigil. Christianity is not meant to be – Oh when it
serves me or when I feel like it. Following Jesus is a life commitment 24/7/365
until you take your last earthly breath before your first eternal breath. Jesus
is not looking for part time employees. It is He who gives us our life and
breath and He who alone is worthy to have us do more than go to or watch church
once a week. Following Christ involves a change of heart, a change of mind, a
change of attitude, a change of direction, and yes, a change of action,
including keeping a constant vigil looking forward to His return.
Then I saw in
the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides
and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud
voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and
open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the
earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no
one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the
elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion
of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the
scroll and its seven seals."
Then I saw a
Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne,
encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and
seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He
came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And
when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell
down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls
full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from
every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a
kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon
thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and
the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and
wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on
the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To
him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and
power, for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and
worshiped.
In Deuteronomy, he is the prophet like unto Moses.
In Joshua he is the captain of our
salvation.
In Judges, he is our judge and lawgiver.
In Ruth, he is our kinsman redeemer.
In 1 & 2 Samuel, he is our trusted prophet.
In Kings and Chronicles, he is our reigning King.
In Ezra and Nehemiah, he is the rebuilder of the broken down walls of human
life.
In Esther, he is our Mordecai.
In Job, he is our
ever-living Redeemer.
In Psalms, he is our Shepherd.
In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, he is our wisdom.
In Song of Solomon, he is our loving Bridegroom.
In Isaiah, he is the Prince of Peace.
In Jeremiah, he is our righteous Branch.
In Lamentations, he is our weeping Prophet.
In Ezekiel, he is the wonderful four-faced man.
In Daniel, he is the fourth man in life’s fiery furnace.
In Hosea, he is the faithful husband, forever
married to the backslider.
In Joel, he is the baptizer of the Holy Ghost and fire.
In Amos, he is our burden bearer.
In Obadiah, he is mighty to save.
In Jonah, he is our great foreign
missionary.
In Micah, he is the messenger of beautiful feet.
In Nahum, he is our strength and shield.
In Habakkuk, he is God’s evangelist crying, “Revive thy works in the midst of
the years!”
In Zephaniah, he is our Savior.
In Haggai, he is the restorer of God’s lost heritage.
In Zechariah, he is the fountain opened up in the house of David for sin and
uncleanliness.
And in Malachi, he is the Son of Righteousness rising with healing in his
wings.
In Matthew, he is the King of the Jews.
In Mark, he is the servant.
In Luke, he is the Son of Man, feeling
what you feel.
In John, he is the Son of God.
In Acts, he is
the Savior of the world.
In Romans, he is the righteousness of God.
In 1 Corinthians, he is the rock, the Father of Israel.
In 2 Corinthians, he is the triumphant one, giving victory.
In Galatians, he
is your liberty, he set you free.
In Ephesians, he is the head of the Church.
In Philippians, he is your joy.
In Colossians, he is your completeness.
In 1 & 2
Thessalonians, he is your hope.
In 1 Timothy, he is your faith.
In 2 Timothy, he is your stability.
In Titus, he is truth.
In Philemon, he is your benefactor.
In Hebrews, he is your perfection.
In James, he is the power behind your faith.
In 1 Peter, he is your example.
In 2 Peter, he is your purity.
In 1 John, he is your Life.
In 2 John, he is your pattern.
In 3 John, he is your motivation.
In Jude, he is the foundation of your faith.
In Revelation, he IS your coming King!
----------------------------------------------------
He is the First and the Last, the
Beginning and the End.
He is the keeper of creation, and the Creator of all.
He is the architect of the universe, and the manager of all times.
He always was, he always is, and he always will be.
Unmoved, unchanged, undefeated and never
undone.
He was bruised
and brought healing.
He was pierced in his pain.
He was persecuted and brought freedom.
He was dead and brought life.
He is risen and
brings power.
He reigns and brings peace.
The world can’t
understand him.
The armies can’t defeat him.
The schools can’t explain him, and
The leaders can’t ignore him.
Herod couldn’t
kill him.
The Pharisees couldn’t confuse him.
People couldn’t hold him.
Nero couldn’t crush him.
Hitler couldn’t silence him.
The New Age can’t replace him.
And science can’t explain him away.
He is Life, love,
longevity, and more.
He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, and Word is eternal.
His will is unchanging, and his mind is on me.
He is MY
Redeemer.
He is MY Savior.
He is MY Guide.
He is MY Peace.
He is MY Joy.
He is MY Comfort.
He is MY Lord, and
He rules my life.
Do you feel the world is broken?
(We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen?
(We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through?
(We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new?
(We do)
Is all creation groaning?
(It is)
Is a new creation coming?
(It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst?
(It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this?
(It is)
Is anyone worthy?
Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy of this?
He is
Does the Father truly love us?
(He does)
Does the Spirit move among us?
(He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves?
(He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us?
(He does)
Is anyone worthy?
Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe
Every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is!
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is!
He is!
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