Worthy is the Lamb

Revelation 4-5

In chapters four and five of the Book of Revelation, the Holy Spirit gives some insight into conditions in heaven. In 4:1, the Bible says “a door was opened in heaven”. What a fascinating and revealing glimpse we receive of heavenly places! First, there is a throne, around which are 24 seats with 24 elders, in white raiment with golden crowns. Then there are the four flying beasts which surround the throne, never resting. As they fly, they cry out “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” As they worship, the 24 elders fall down before the throne, cast their crowns before it and say, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Chapter five describes the search for one who was worthy to open the seven-sealed book. A search of heaven and earth finds no one who is able to open the book or to read what is written in it. John begins to despair, until “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David”, is able to loose the seals and open the book. At this point, the song of the 24 elders becomes, “Thou are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth.”

Then, as John watched, the voices of “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” of the angels were added to the elders, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

Imagine the scene as the angels of heaven praise the Lamb! Hear the thunder! And then, to this incredible, glorious spectacle, the Bible says, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

Take a moment to picture this scene, every created being everywhere simultaneously praising the Creator! The heavens and the earth will be shaking with voices praising God. For that moment, every eye will be on Him, every voice devoted to His glory.
It will happen because God says it will, and it will happen because He is worthy. The Lamb, our Saviour, our King, is worthy of all the praise and attention of every creature. Christian friend of mine, He will not only be worthy then, He is worthy now. He is worthy of everything we can give. Not just our praise, but our lives. We who know Him, who are washed in his blood, can bring Him glory today by our worship and our service on His behalf.

I am confident I will be among those gathered around the throne in heaven. His blood assures me of that. But then I’ll be one among billions. I want to give Him glory today, when there are fewer voices, and mine will be clear and recognizable. O precious Lamb, Brother Tom, bought by your blood and sealed by your Spirit. I am yours. Be glorified in every part of my life today, for you are worthy!

Just a servant,

Bro.Tom

Changed into His Image

February 25

Read: 2 Corinthians 3

The apostle Paul, inspired scribe of the Holy Spirit, gives us a truly beautiful picture in 2 Corinthians 3:18. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

In the verses prior, Paul references the veil Moses placed over his face after descending from Mount Sinai. He had been with God, and his face shone with the reflection of God’s glory. The image was so striking and disconcerting to the Israelites Moses had to cover his face when he spoke with them. Later, when he spoke with God, the veil was removed.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul compares the law administered by Moses with grace administered by the Spirit. The law given on Sinai condemns us. The Bible refers to it as the “ministration of death”. And yet, in spite of its function, it was a glorious law given by a glorious God. Even though the covenant of law was temporary, to be superceded by grace, Paul affirms its glory, so much that the Israelites could not bear to look on even the reflection of it on Moses’ face.

By comparison, consider the covenant of grace and the work of the Spirit. In verse 9 we read, “For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, how much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory?” He goes on to write that when we come to Christ in grace and forgiveness, the veil is done away, and we behold the glory of the Lord face to face.

But wait, there’s more. In verse 18, we are told not only do we see the Lord as if looking in a mirror, but that the Spirit of God is changing us to look just like Him. Moses was a mere reflection of the glory of God. We, the children of God by faith in Christ, are destined to be not a reflection, but a true manifestation of His wonderful glory. Day by day as we look upon Him the precious Holy Spirit is remaking us into His image, and the glory He has possessed from eternity past is given to us. What an exciting thought, to realize that as I am recreated to be like Him, His glory in me shines brighter and brighter. It is precisely as Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:18, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

1 Corinthians 15:49 “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

Casual Interest

February 15

Read: Acts 24:1-27

After the attack on Paul and his subsequent arrest in Jerusalem, a number of the Jews entered into a conspiracy to murder him. News of the plot came to a nephew, who warned Paul and then the chief captain of the Romans, Claudius Lysias. Not wanting such to happen to a prisoner under his care, the captain prepared a military escort and sent Paul to Felix, the Roman Governor at Caesarea.

After the transfer, the Jews from Jerusalem went before Felix to accuse Paul of rebellion and sedition for his work among the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Felix listened to both parties, then elected to withhold judgement until Lysias could come down from Jerusalem and give his side of the tale.

Having Paul in prison, Felix decided to entertain himself and his wife by asking Paul to come and preach to them concerning his faith in Christ. Paul’s preaching had an effect, for, in verse 25 we read, “And as he (Paul) reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgement to come, Felix trembled...”. Felix was clearly convicted, but just as clearly there was no conversion. In verse 26 we read that he kept Paul in prison, hoping someone would pay a bribe for his release. After two years, Felix was replaced by another governor, Festus. And the Bible says that Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul imprisoned.

People come to church for a variety of reasons. Some are faithful servants of God, who are there to worship and serve Him. Some are dealing with a personal crisis of some kind and looking for possible answers. A third group is simply curious, somehow having gotten the idea that going to church was just good for them and looking for a way to fill up a Sunday morning. And there is final group there strictly for personal motives. Their attendance has nothing to do with God, but with their own personal agenda.

Felix was clearly in that last group. His work had brought him into contact with a Christian, and he was curious. As Paul was at his disposal, he chose to spend a little time researching this strange sect of the Nazarene. He was not, however, prepared for the power of the Gospel. Trembling, he was forced to decide, and he decided against. From that point Paul was simply a hostage to be held or a pawn to be used in his political dealings with the Jews.

There are regular church members who think no more of the gospel and the Savior than Felix. They come for reasons of networking, for political expediency, for social gain. They are occasionally ambushed by the Word of God, but by and large they are immune, having determined to keep their personal autonomy, even at the price of their eternity. They are wrong, but they are unpersuaded. Their destiny is that of the rich man who disdained Lazarus, or the wealthy one who, having accumulated more than he could use, set out to build himself bigger barns. To that one, and all like him, God posed this question: “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Working Faith

February 9

Read:Acts 9:10-19

A very interesting accompaniment to Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is the story of Ananias. The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Ananias, simply that he was a disciple at Damascus. But we can surmise a great deal about him from the rest of the story.

Ananias must have been a man on speaking terms with God. He must have been a man of prayer, because when the Lord spoke to Him in a vision, there was no confusion on Ananias’ part about who was talking. The Lord said, “Ananias” and Ananias answered simply, “Behold, I am here, Lord.”

Second, Ananias must have been a man of considerable faith. Directed by God to go and lay hands on Saul of Tarsus, he immediately recognized the name. “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.” Ananias knew Saul of Tarsus was a dangerous man, especially to Christians. He voiced his concerns in verses 13 and 14. He certainly had a right to feel as he did. Yet, when the Lord said to him in verse 15, “Go thy way”, that ended the debate. Verse 17 says simply that “Ananias went his way, and did as the Lord had asked.

As nearly as I can tell, Bro. Ananias of Damascus is never mentioned again in Scripture. He rose out of anonymity to do a specific task for God, then withdrew himself backstage. Truly a disciple, he was quick to answer the Lord’s call and willing to do what He asked, even at the hazard of his own life.

Could we pray that God would give us today some of the qualities that Ananias possessed? We certainly could do with a closer relationship with the Father, one in which we have no trouble discerning his voice. Also, God grant us the faith to do His will, no matter what we may think about the pitfalls.

May we all grow a little as a result of our encounter with Ananias of Damascus.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Church Growth

February 7

Read: Acts 2:32-47

In Acts 2:32-47, the Lord has chosen to give us a glimpse of the very first church. On the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit descended upon them in mass. Peter preached, and about 3000 people got saved, were baptized and added to the church. Talk about church growth! From 120 disciples praying together in the upper room (Acts 1:15) to a local assembly of more than 3000 members in one day! Don’t you know that was an exciting time to be in Jerusalem?

Besides the phenomenal growth, the other thing that should interest us is the activity of the First Baptized Assembly at Jerusalem. In verse 42, the Bible says: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (teaching) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers.” This church majored on doctrine, fellowship, and prayer. In verse 43 we see a spirit of reverence and of power. In verses 44 and 45, we see how they proved their love one to another. Verse 46 testifies to their unity and their thankfulness (notice they met together every day). Finally, verse 47 says they had an attitude of praise.

To borrow a phrase from the sports announcers, let’s do a quick recap of that. The First Baptized Assembly at Jerusalem was notable for their doctrine, fellowship, prayer, reverence, power, love, unity, thankfulness and worship. Is it any wonder that “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved?”

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

He must increase...

February 6

Read: John 20:30-31; John 21:20-25

Most Bible scholars put the writing of John’s Gospel at about 90 AD. Placing Jesus’ death on the cross at about 33 AD, and John as the son of Zebedee and a member of Jesus’ original twelve disciples, that makes John a pretty old man by the time the book was written. Beginning life as the son of a fisherman, John was called by Jesus at a relatively young age and discipled three years by the Lord Himself. For approximately sixty years he served the Lord and His church in various capacities, and tradition places him in the city of Ephesus at the time the Gospel was penned. There, the Holy Spirit inspired John to record the life of his Lord, and the aged apostle was used by God to give us one of the most moving and personal accounts in the whole Bible.

It’s clear when we study John’s life that God used an amazing man to record an amazing story. Labled the “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus, John and his brother began their walk with the Lord as anything but the apostles of love. They thundered, they threatened, and they connived, even enlisting their mother in their attempts to gain the highest place. They, with Peter, were privileged to be Jesus’ inner circle. And like Peter, to the mortal eye it looks as though they were born to failure. But God can see where we can’t. And gradually, patiently, marvelously, the “Son of Thunder” became the “Apostle of Love.”

It is in the gospel of John that we see the distance the apostle had traversed. First, from seeking the top spot he had progressed to the point where he would not even include his own name in the book that he wrote. Whenever you see the name John in the Gospel of John, it is a reference to John the Baptist. If the Holy Spirit in divine inspiration forced him to speak of himself, he identified himself simply as the disciple whom Jesus loved. John was very quick to dispel any rumors of his own superiority, making sure that Jesus was accurately quoted, and that he, John, was not exalted. For a signature, he very simply described himself as a witness giving a testimony. And his last words in the gospel concern the things that Jesus did that were not recorded. The aged apostle had come to the point that every wise disciple will someday reach, that it is not about him, but about Jesus. To borrow a phrase, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

Wow and Double Wow!

February 5

Read: John 17:1-26

It is always instructive to read the prayers of Jesus. The when, what and how of Jesus’ personal communications with the Father provide wonderful insights into the purpose and mechanics of prayer. Jesus’ prayer in John 17, though, should be special to every believer, as it is the one identifiable point in Scripture where Jesus prayed for each of us personally.

In John 17:20, Jesus says, “Neither pray I for these (the disciples) alone, but for them which shall believe on me through their word:” When Jesus said, “them which shall believe on me through their word” He meant me and you! We are each and every one of us begotten of the Word of God passed through the disciples. They told someone, who told someone, who told someone, who, two thousand years and only God knows how many generations later, told me. When Jesus prayed that prayer, He prayed for me! So, realizing that this is the Son of God doing the praying, and that it’s highly unlikely that His prayer will not be answered, what did He ask for?

First, He prayed that we might be one with Him and the Father. He prayed that we might enjoy the same relationship that He enjoyed with His Father. Imagine having the same understanding and empathy with God the Father that Jesus had. And Jesus prayed for it!

Second, He prayed that we would ultimately be with Him, and that we might see His glory. Jesus asked the Father that we be permitted to be with Him where He was, and that we might behold Him in the glory He had before the universe was created.

Now, seriously, do you think those prayers are not going to be answered? What an incredible eternity we have in front of us. We will one day be with Him, beholding His glory, and sharing the same relationship with the heavenly Father that Jesus himself has. Wow and double wow! Or as Paul says, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom

On Holy Ground

February 3

Read: John 13:1-20

Every time I reach John 13 in my Bible reading, I always feel as though I have stepped onto holy ground. The ever burning bush of Jesus’ last night with the disciples prior to the cross always makes me want to take off my shoes, bow down, and worship. Here in the Gospel of John is the record of the last Passover, when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and left them explicit instructions to follow His example. Here, in John 13:34-35, we receive the royal command to love one another and a description of the distinctiveness it would bring us as His disciples.

Going on, we see Judas leaving to accomplish the betrayal, then in chapter 14, the wonderful words, “Let not your heart be troubled...” Jesus proclaims the exclusivity of the gospel in John 14:6, then gives the wonderful promise of the Spirit. He leaves His peace and gives us the wonderful analogy of the vine and the branches. This section, from John 13 to John 17, is what He told the disciples at the last supper, and includes wonderful promises of prayer and comfort and even the high priestly prayer of Christ, when He prayed for each of us.

Has your Bible reading ever brought you to a point where you sit hushed, savoring each word and breathing out praise with every verse? I’m afraid that too often I come to the Word as a duty rather than a temple, and I rush through my daily chapters, mostly missing the blessings my wonderful heavenly Father intended me to receive.

Today, let’s try to pray our way through the Scriptures. It really doesn’t matter where you’re reading. God’s Word has something special for you each and every day. No matter which way you look, it’s holy ground.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom