How can we foster an eternal perspective in our broken world?
John gives us a beautiful picture of the centrality of God throughout the book of Revelation, here is where we see the wonder of an eternal God. The Triune God communicates with one voice and one purpose. We see in Revelation all the themes of the Bible converge and display the glory of God, as well as His plans and purposes for #HIStory. His plan to redeem people who faithfully reflect and live with Him is woven throughout Revelation. The redemption and return of Jesus is our hope. The wonder of God’s Word gives us an eternal perspective, so along with hope, we find stability for life’s journey along with a renewed worldview while we wait for His return.
How will you be encouraged as you long for Christ’s return and at the same time wait for it with an eternal perspective? An eternal perspective keeps #Jesusatthecenter and believes #GodWins.
As we #WalkinVictory, we see the goodness and greatness of God and find hope and stability for our life’s journey.
When we open the book of Revelation we look at a world that is broken. The early church faced persecution from the political, social, and economic realms of their culture. Emperor worship was required, neighbors rejected “the Way,” and financial hardships were faced by believers. Soon they would have to compromise, or would they? Followers of Jesus had a choice to make, would they stand for the Truth that Jesus spoke or would they abandon it? The gospels had been written and letters from the apostles had been circulated what else did they need? God wanted to comfort His people and give them a message about hope so He put John on an island in the Aegean Sea in a prison. Comfort and Hope found in a prison?
God spoke to John in a series of visions. Right away He revealed Himself:
“Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 1:4b-5a)
We don’t completely understand the centrality of God but He greets us as we open the pages of His Word. The Bible helps us understand God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as we try to relate the three persons of one Godhead without misinterpretations or misrepresentations. We see right away that God is Great and Personal. His perfect essence is displayed in the revelation of Himself to His Creation. We sometimes express God the Father as the planner of all of #HIStory, God the Son realized God’s plan of Redemption at the Cross and consummates it when He returns, and God the Holy Spirit revealing Truth to God’s Creation and especially to those who belong to Him.
So we learn to #WatchtheLamb, and when we see Jesus, we see the vision coming together of our own eternal destiny. It is here that we find hope and renewal while we wait for Him to return as a Conquering King.
As we #WatchtheLamb what will we see? We will see a wounded Lamb worshipped and glorified as the Creator, as the Sovereign King, and the Judge of the Universe. We will understand and see the deepest holiness and mercy of God revealed as a Lamb. The Lamb is Redeemer, and Judge, and Conquering King. The Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ who “takes away the sin of the world.” The Lamb is the heart of God. Revelation unveils the beauty of the Lamb. So how will you “take to heart” what the Bible says as you learn to watch the Lamb? Will you see your destiny come into focus? If so, what side do you find yourself on? Will you find hope and transformation as you wait?
Revelation focuses our minds and our hearts on the Wounded Lamb and Conquering King..
