August 28, 2024
The first chapter of the Revelation of John is one of the most glorious chapters of the Bible. It reminds us of what God is doing through His Son, His messengers, and through John to all of us. He is giving us a picture of what “must soon take place … for the time is near” (Revelation 1:1,3)
The glorified Christ Himself appears in heavenly splendor. John sees him and his immediate response is to fall “at his feet like a dead man” (Vs. 17).
But now, God’s children can also see Christ in His glory through the Scriptures, the Spirit’s help, and the eyes of faith. But there’s one sentence, right in the middle of Chapter 1 that reminds us of why we are privileged to behold Him, now and forever.
To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen (Revelation 1:5-6)
Christ as done this for us. Only Christ! His sacrifice in our place on the cross and resurrection from the dead has “released us from our sins.” Other translations read …
To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father (NSV)
Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. (NLT)
To Him Who ever loves us and has once for all loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood and formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father (AMP)
To Him who loves us and set us free from our sins by means of His blood, and who constituted us as a kingdom, priests to His God and Father. (Wuest)
Christ’s love-driven gift completely released us from the stains and chains of our sin, making us forgiven and right before God, acceptable to see Him and to enter His kingdom. For those who believe, our view now is from the inside, not as a stranger and alien, and we have the best seat in the house to the unfolding plan of eternity.
March 11, 2025
God knows what He is about. Always include in your request the greatest prayer—the prayer of surrender. “Lord, Your will be done.” This is the prayer, when humbly prayed, that will always be answered and yield the most valuable result from the God who loves us best ... even if the answer is hard.
March 05, 2025
Every created man or woman must make their choice. What will you do with God? Will you embrace or reject Him? Draw near or run away? Trust and serve Him or doubt God and serve yourself? This foundational choice determines everything.
March 04, 2025
As you evaluate your faith, is it “God and?” God and others. God and the world’s ideas. God and my best thoughts thrown in. God and some money. God and a clear path. Or simply: God. Are you vainly clinging to the idea that you need more than Him?
