Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2020 16:59:01 GMT -5
A Parade of Colors By: Bill Crowder
Click on this link for the audio message
With your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Revelation 5:9
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Revelation 5:7–14
For decades, London has been one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. In 1933, journalist Glyn Roberts wrote of England’s great capital, “I still think the parade of peoples and colours and tongues is just about the best thing in London.” That “parade” is still in evidence today with the blended smells, sounds, and sights of a global community. The beauty of diversity is part of the breathtaking appeal of one of the world’s greatest cities.
As with any city inhabited by human beings, however, London is not without its problems. Change brings challenges. Cultures sometimes clash. And that is one of the reasons no city built by human hands can compare to the wonder of our eternal home.
When the apostle John was transported into the presence of God, diversity was one of the elements of heavenly worship, as the redeemed sang, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9–10).
Imagine heaven: a parade of every people group in the world celebrating the wonder of being children of the living God—together! As believers in Jesus, may we celebrate that diversity today.
Reflect & Pray
What are the best things about the church being so diverse? What can make that diversity occasionally challenging?
Father, I thank You that no people group is excluded from Your great love. Teach us to truly love one another, as You have so generously loved us.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Revelation 4-5 we’re given a dramatic scene that occurs in the throne room of God. As the scene unfolds, the elders and living creatures are worshiping Him. Yet in these two chapters we see two different roles of God that motivate worship. In 4:11, His role as Creator prompts the worship, as the people say, “for you created all things, and by your will they were created.” In 5:9, the Lamb is declared worthy because He’s our Savior who “[was] slain, and with [His] blood [He] purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” As Creator and Savior, God is worthy of all praise. Bill Crowder
Revelation 5:7-14 King James Version (KJV)
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Click on this link for the audio message
With your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Revelation 5:9
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Revelation 5:7–14
For decades, London has been one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. In 1933, journalist Glyn Roberts wrote of England’s great capital, “I still think the parade of peoples and colours and tongues is just about the best thing in London.” That “parade” is still in evidence today with the blended smells, sounds, and sights of a global community. The beauty of diversity is part of the breathtaking appeal of one of the world’s greatest cities.
As with any city inhabited by human beings, however, London is not without its problems. Change brings challenges. Cultures sometimes clash. And that is one of the reasons no city built by human hands can compare to the wonder of our eternal home.
When the apostle John was transported into the presence of God, diversity was one of the elements of heavenly worship, as the redeemed sang, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9–10).
Imagine heaven: a parade of every people group in the world celebrating the wonder of being children of the living God—together! As believers in Jesus, may we celebrate that diversity today.
Reflect & Pray
What are the best things about the church being so diverse? What can make that diversity occasionally challenging?
Father, I thank You that no people group is excluded from Your great love. Teach us to truly love one another, as You have so generously loved us.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Revelation 4-5 we’re given a dramatic scene that occurs in the throne room of God. As the scene unfolds, the elders and living creatures are worshiping Him. Yet in these two chapters we see two different roles of God that motivate worship. In 4:11, His role as Creator prompts the worship, as the people say, “for you created all things, and by your will they were created.” In 5:9, the Lamb is declared worthy because He’s our Savior who “[was] slain, and with [His] blood [He] purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” As Creator and Savior, God is worthy of all praise. Bill Crowder
Revelation 5:7-14 King James Version (KJV)
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
