Journal Rev 15 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: [Angel song…] “And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
‘Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy; all nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed…” Rev 15:3-4
Observation: Angels sing this. Why don’t I hear this from my mouth?
Application: I have referred to the Gospel as being a Jewel, a mental figure that has many facets to it, but all part of the same Jewel.
This is different that the false idea of “all paths lead to God”; it is that, because of perceptual limitations (He is Creator, I am created…), I can only deal with one concept at a time (so to say), probably based on what I put value upon concerning my bias of God’s character.
For instance:
- Is God Love or is He Holy? The Sunday School answer is Yes on both counts but on a practical basis, which one do I lean into daily?
- Am I more of a “saved, going to heaven” mentality, or a “I don’t deserve your salvation, but I am grateful” position?
- Do I think that God will certainly take my affliction from me, or am I thankful that God has given me the opportunity to serve him in my affliction, the point being, “What do I think of the most?”
- Do I fear God, or do I love God? Again, what do I think of the most? And does it make a significant difference to my walk with the Savior?
Reading Revelation, a significant portion of the narrative indicates that all of Heaven has an emotional reaction to God and to the Lamb: Fearful, full of wonder and praise; loving but not sappy. Heaven is full of “grown up” expressions of love—best that I can express/describe it. “I wuv you, Daddy” is not really found here. Shouting or speaking firmly and emphatically, not whispering, is the default volume setting.
Describing what the scripture says about husbands to my wife was eye-opening for her. She expected that what she was looking for (“I love you, darling, forever…”), was what husbands were looking for. Being honest, I wouldn’t turn that expression away (being as insecure as I am). But this is what the scriptures say to wives,
“…and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Eph 5:33b
Respect is what husbands long for, even if they don’t know it.
I am part of the Bride of Christ; how do I convey respect to the Bridegroom, to the Bridegroom’s Father? I think, as the scripture shows, speaking of what He is, the greatness of Him, glorifying his Works and his Ways, specifically and with great fervor—just like the Angels singing the Song of Moses.
Last thought this morning: I recall the scripture, “So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor 14:39-40) If I consider the environment in Revelation as the example of “decent and orderly”, then I am so under-performing to the saints bearing witness, not to mention the heavenly host, and the Trinitarian God himself. (c. Heb 12:1, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run…”)
Prayer: Father, from my perspective, the transition from a child to an adult in your Kingdom happens from looking into the mirror privately; it is not the “clarion call” to “come join me”…it is the call to repent. Difficult because “repent” is so confrontational and is not “touchy-feely.”
Yet even the call to “repent” is supposed to be given in love, gentleness, and with understanding and persuasiveness. It is never, “I have arrived, repent your own bad self…”
If not for your atoning work, I would not be able to walk in your ways. I deserve your Wrath always; it is by your Blood that I can walk in the newness of life but having to kill the old man inside me every day.
Redeemed, and always being redeemed.
AMEN.
Ricky Two Shoes