heavenly diversity

Then in my vision I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, the living creatures and the elders. There were myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, crying in a great voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing!” [Revelation 5:11-12 PHILLIPS]

I think heaven will surprise us in many ways. People will be there who we assumed would not be. Humans who were spiritually transformed but rejected because they did not fit into our religious boxes. Throughout history these people have surprised us by the way that they have loved.

Peter came to understand this. In Acts God revealed to him how his vision of the Body of Christ had to be expanded. He was led to a Roman named Cornelius. Here he first witness the Holy Spirit being poured out on people who were not Jewish. It changed his perspective on the elect.

I too have know people like Cornelius. Folks who greatly loved but believed differently than me. Their presence confronted me with the idea that my understanding of heaven was much too narrow. In reality the issue is not one of doctrine but of spiritual birth and transformation. As it should be.

Open my eyes Lord, that I may see those who have been born from above and headed for heaven.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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the heavenly heart

You have made them a kingdom; You have appointed them priests to serve our God, and they will rule upon the earth. [Revelation 5:10 VOICE]

Do you regularly pray that part of the Lord's prayer that asks for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven? I try to pray it every day asking for a heavenly reality where war, hate, pain and sickness are no more. I think that the verse above clues us in a bit to how this kingdom works.

As I pray, I am often focused on the miraculous and ignore the normal way that the heavenly kingdom works. I forget that the kingdom works through priests like you and me. That love rules on earth when our hearts drive our actions. In reality the heavenly kingdom comes at a heart level.

I want to live from a heavenly heart. One that, as Jesus put it, is born from above. One that is fed with heavenly thoughts. Strengthened by heavenly exercise and discipline. I desire to have a heart that causes heaven to come to earth. One that causes me to love like Jesus.

Lord, please teach me new ways to feed and exercise my heart that it may grow strong.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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the prism of the cross

You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it; for you were slain, and your blood has bought people from every nation as gifts for God. [Revelation 5:9 TLB]

There are several theories about the cross. Some espouse the idea that the Father required the blood of his son to forgive human sin. These believe, as people in ancient civilizations did, that blood had to be shed for God to forgive. Understandable for people in those cultures.

Another theory sees the cross as a ransom paid to free those held captive by sin. Yet another view opines that the cross shows us the depravity of man. I see a bit of each. In a way, the cross is a prism refracting its image as both human depravity and divine glory.

The cross stands in evidence that humans can be cruel and sadistic. And unable to save themselves. It also rises as a symbol of a patient, kind, forgiving and loving God. From the cross Jesus showed us how to live, forgive and suffer. The cross is a beautiful prism of God's mercy.

Help me to hug the cross today Lord. Lead me in ways of patience, kindness, forgiveness and love.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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slaughtered but standing tall

There was no one—no one in Heaven, no one on earth, no one from the underworld—able to break open the scroll and read it. ... So I looked, and there, surrounded by Throne, Animals, and Elders, was a Lamb, slaughtered but standing tall. ... He came to the One Seated on the Throne and took the scroll from his right hand. [Revelation 5:3,5,7 MSG]

The sense of awe, amazement and wonder in this chapter is exhilarating. John weeps deeply when there is no one found worthy to receive the scroll, the title and deed to the universe, from God. In majestic fashion the risen Christ emerges. He walks to the throne and receives the scroll.

The image painted in this chapter is the ultimate underdog story. One who was slaughtered now stands tall. One who died now owns and rules the universes. He is worshipped by myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. The story is like none ever painted or imagined by humankind.

Yet. In between the lines. There is another message in the text. The story is our story. The Lamb standing tall is in us. We who overcome bear the image of the slaughtered Lamb. The angels rejoice when we overcome. There is a homecoming. Heaven awaits our arrival. Alleluia!

Lord, I long for that day when I will meet you face to face. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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worthy of more than our awe

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” [Revelation 4:24 VOICE]

In heaven there is a palpable sense of awe. When I consider the universe I am speechless. I echo our elders in heaven in their praise of God. He is worthy to receive any glory that I have amassed for myself. Worthy to be honored for all he has done. And worthy of our submission to him.

I touched on that last theme in my last post. In reality, the extent of our worship is dependent on whether we think the divine will to be greater than ours. Worship is all about the choices we make and the actions we take. One simply cannot put God on the throne on Sunday and replace him on Monday.

It is normal to look around and be in awe. Also normal to ascribe our origins to some sort of mystical prime mover or force. Many, like the Deists, call such an entity "god". Yet there are some, like me, who see God as one worthy of more than my awe. He is worthy of my submission to his will.

I bow again Lord. You are worthy to be obeyed. Help me to bow.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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the heart of worship

There in heaven was a throne ... In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, on which were seated twenty-four elders dressed in white and wearing crowns of gold. ... the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They throw their crowns down in front of the throne [Revelation 4:2,4,10 GNT]

John's vision comes in stages. Perhaps there were several visions? The stage has moved from earth to heaven. He has left Laodicea and now finds himself in the throneroom of God. Yet the linkage to Laodicea is clear as the Lord promised thrones to overcomers in that city.

Still. The concept of thrones is a bit confusing though. I understand that God sits on a throne. But what about the other 24 thrones? Why are they significant? I think that they may indicate that heaven is not limited to either the 12 tribes of Israel and/or followers of the 12 disciples.

Interesting how the 24 elders pay homage to God. They worship with singing. They submit themselves by bowing and giving up their crowns. Perhaps the imagery is meant to teach us about worship. How, at the heart, worship is about offering up both our voices and our power to the Lord.

Perhaps the giving up of power, the proverbial casting of crowns, is at the very heart of worship? Maybe the prayer of submission, not my will but thine be done, is the truest form of worship? A good thing to remember when we ask for God's kingdom to come and his will to done.

Teach me to bow Lord Jesus. You are worthy.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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thin places

I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before ... said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. [Revelation 4:1,2 NLT]

What do make of the phrase "I was in the Spirit"? The words speak to me of a spiritual experience. John's feet were on earth during the experience. Yet a part of him embraced a different dimension. I feel that I have traveled to that dimension. Some call the phenomenon "thin spaces".

There is a Celtic saying that heaven and earth are only three feet apart, but in the thin places that distance is even smaller. I have been in such thin places. Sometimes in song. Or in prayer. Or even in the shower. The presence of God almost seems tangible to my human senses.

The book of Revelation seems to be an extended experience of such thin places. John hears inaudible voices. Sees invisible doors. Receives messages that can only be discerned with spiritual understanding. Perhaps the idea of thin places is one that this book helps us to embrace?

Help us Lord to be open to the thin places where heaven meets earth.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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