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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I join with the angels in heaven and shout, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev 5:12). Your Son, the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David, has conquered, and he is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals. By his blood, he ransomed a people for you from every language and nation. Praise the Lamb! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me more of the revelation of Jesus Christ. After giving John his messages to the seven churches, Jesus brought John into heaven in the Spirit. The voice speaking to John told him that he was about to see future events (“what must take place after this”; Rev 4:1). These events will take place during the seven years known as the Tribulation (the last “week” of Daniel 9:24–27). The first thing John saw in heaven was you seated on a throne. This is consistent with how you revealed yourself to the OT prophets (cf. Isa 6:1; Ezek 1:26; Dan 7:9), and the fact that you manifest yourself as sitting on a throne teaches me that kingship and authority are foundational to my understanding of who you are. You are the great King and Creator of all things, and this truth compels me to honor and worship you. I say with the living creatures, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8). John saw a scroll in your right hand, sealed with seven seals. This scroll contained the wrath and judgment you are preparing for a world which has rejected the precious blood of your Son, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Jesus is the only one who can open the scroll and its seven seals, and he is able because he has “conquered” (Rev 5:5). This is the same word that Jesus used at the conclusion of each message to the churches: “The one who conquers…” (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). This teaches me that you want me to overcome just as Jesus did. He is the great Conqueror, and his life of submission and obedience is the example I should follow. Through your Spirit, I can be an overcomer just like Jesus! John watched as the scroll was opened and your judgments were carried out on earth and in heaven. Between the sixth and seventh seal, John saw a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, standing before your throne with palm branches in their hands. John was told, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). How amazing to think that even when you are pouring out your wrath on the wicked, you are still welcoming those who turn to you in sorrow and repentance! Glory to God! Reflection John’s vision of you in heaven is awe-inspiring and comforting at the same time. It reminds me that no matter how dark things may seem, you are fully in control. You are working everything according to the council of your will, and I can trust you to keep and protect me. The choice is mine: will I worry about the future, or will I come into your presence and worship before your throne? Request Father, I want more than anything to be an overcomer. Help me to lay aside anything that weighs me down, and enable me to finish each day as a conqueror for Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Rev 5:13). Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns” – Matthew Bridges. Meditation Verse: Revelation 7:10. |