Worthy is the Lamb

Yesterday, I visited with a couple of dear friends (brother and sister in Christ) by the way of a chat room.  We were sharing back and forth over some things written in Revelations.  Is it not amazing that we are in Ecuador and they were in different states in the US?

The sister said she had been thinking on what John saw concerning the Son of God.  He has brass feet and His hair as wool.  And this began a marvelous discussion.  We also came to a conclusion that had a marvelous impact on my heart.

Revelations is a book that has had different interpretations attached to it by so many.  I personally think there are many things hard to be understood.  Yet there is one thing that cannot be missed or interpreted wrongly and that is the awe, reverence and glory of Jesus Christ, now seated by the Right Hand of the Majesty on High. 

The Lord Jesus Christ says Himself: “I am the First and the Last, risen from the dead…”  He is the One Authority over all men.  He made statements of facts to 7 churches, then made an astounding, “sit up and listen” kind of statement:

 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Here’s what came out of this beautiful, fruitful time we had together:  We need to “see” Christ in ALL of WHO He is.  By this we mean that Jesus Christ, if we could see him physically now, we’d ALL bow our knee in holy reverence to His magnificent Person and Presence.  Now, we do this “in Spirit and in Truth.” Jesus Christ has been given the name above all names – He is holy and worthy of all worship and praise.

John, the Beloved Apostle, as we know, penned the Gospel of John and his letters (I, II, III John) years after the other Apostles were martyred and left this present world.  His writings, as our brother pointed out, were poured through him as John, the Apostle, a vessel of the Lord’s.  He wrote by revelation and inspiration of God’s Spirit.

But Revelations took on another “style” so to speak of John, in that he was placed in an incredible position of “seeing” and writing as the Lord commanded him to write.  It was a different scenario.  As our brother put it, it’s like the Lord “picked up the phone and called directly,” speaking these things by His own voice to the churches.  It is also written of Him “His voice like the sound of many waters.”

Proverbs was mentioned:  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Paul wrote of Christ Himself as being Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification for the believer.

So my conclusion was that in our hearts, we hold Christ in awe, wonder, reverence, godly fear – listening to Him and revering every word that comes from Him to us by His Spirit and Word.  But the other side, which comforts our hearts too, is this:  remembering how John, the Beloved Apostle, laid his head on the Lord’s bosom while Christ was here on earth. 

There still remains this incredible invitation of God to have such intimacy with Him.

In my lifetime, I’ve seen “one side of the coin or the other” concerning the Lord where we bow our knee and listen, knowing He is holy and then where we walk intimately and are free to lay our head on the Lord’s bosom.  Yet what an incredible reality to have both.  It truly is something the Lord Himself teaches and works in our lives.  And I believe God desires both.

The conclusion we arrived at is that we are in a true, LIVING relationship and fellowship with Him; we are to be without deceit of any kind, on our part.  Our posture therefore, is to be one of listening at all times.  And this was pointed out yesterday as well – that we are “listening” for God speaking to us (He is ALWAYS TRUTH) whether by the Spirit’s teaching to us, or through another person preaching, teaching, and speaking.

Lastly, we spoke of the reality of the Lord’s reproof to us.  Are we willing to allow Him to correct us or do we drown out His voice?  The Scriptures say so clearly, “I rebuke, chasten those whom I love.”  Rebukes from the Lord prove we are sons and daughters of God.   Again, we can “drown” out His voice whereby He has to speak louder to get our attention and remove our deceit.

Isn’t it comforting to know that God wants to direct us in ALL of our lives – to grow up in Him in ALL things?  That He loves us so much, He is truly “Father” to us as His children?  Hebrews calls God “Father of spirits.”

Oh may we continue to allow God to have His way with our spirits, our minds so we may truly know Him who is true in every way!   His ways are grace, love, peace, mercy, kindness.  Why would I not want to listen?

“He who has an ear to hear, let us hear what the lovely, Holy Spirit says to the churches and our hearts individually.”

Listening,

Sue  Gaither