Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Revelation 5:1-10
Set – Revelation 5-6
Go! – Revelation 5-9
Revelation 5:1-10
1 And then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated upon the throne, a scroll written both on the inside and on the outside. It had been sealed with seven seals. 2 Then a mighty heavenly messenger proclaimed with a loud voice,
Mighty Messenger: Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?
3 No creature of creation in all heaven, on all the earth, or even under the earth could open the scroll or look into its mysteries. 4 Then I began to mourn and weep bitterly because no creature of creation was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into its mysteries. 5 Then one of the elders consoled me.
One of the 24 Elders: Stop weeping. Look there—the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. He has conquered and is able to break its seven seals and open the scroll.
6 I looked, and between the throne and the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders stood a Lamb who appeared to have been slaughtered. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes (the eyes are the seven Spirits of God sent out over all the earth).
7 The Lamb came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated upon the throne. 8 And when He took it, the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fell prostrate before the Lamb. They worshiped Him, and each one held a harp and golden bowls filled with incense (the prayers of God’s holy people). 9 Then they sang a new song.
Four Living Creatures and 24 Elders: You are worthy to receive the scroll,
to break its seals,
Because You were slain. With Your blood, You redeemed for God
people from every tribe and language, people from every race and nation.
10 You have made them a kingdom; You have appointed them priests to serve our God,
and they will rule upon the earth.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
John got to see some things about the end times that I asked him to reveal to Christians everywhere to give them hope during those dark days of persecution the early church faced from both the Jews and the Romans. While those early believers faced incredible pressures from all sides, I wanted them to know that judgment would come and My followers would remain safe with Me for all eternity. While they could not see the spiritual battles that took place in a spiritual dimension outside their view, John got a glimpse of My victory.
One of those scenes, John saw Me as both the slain Lamb and the Lion of Judah. Before he saw Me between the throne and the 24 Elders, though, John saw all of heaven weeping about a scroll in the hand of the One on the throne. Take note of the reason for their weeping.
No creature of creation in all heaven, on all the earth, or even under the earth could open the seal of the scroll. That’s a pretty significant phrase for all those out there who think I was just a good man, a good teacher, a prophet sent by God like Moses or Elijah or Mohammed. They could not open the scroll. No one or nothing created from the beginning of time could open the scroll. But then I stepped forward.
You see, I wasn’t created. I wasn’t part of creation. I AM. Just as I addressed Moses when he saw the burning bush in the desert that wasn’t consumed in the fire, I AM. As the sacrificial Lamb for your sins, I AM God made flesh for you. I lived alongside you and felt every temptation you feel but didn’t fall to the lies that Satan gives. I was and I AM your spotless, unblemished sacrifice, the price paid for your sins.
Everyone else who comes along to tell you about Me is part of My creation. And everyone and everything attempting to break the seal on the scroll in the hand of the One on the throne of heaven could not because they are created. The messengers around the throne were created. The 24 Elders were created. All was created…except Me, because I AM. I was here before time began and I will be here after time ends. But for a little while I combined Myself with some of your DNA a walked on the earth with you. I AM all God and all Man. I AM your perfect intercessor and I AM worthy to open the seal and the scroll so John could see more of the unfolding of the final judgments against Satan and those who choose to follow him.
So there it is for all those who want to wish away My diety. I was before creation. Never part of creation. I AM worthy to open the scroll because no creature of creation can open it, but then…that doesn’t describe Me. I enjoined human flesh to My heavenly body for a time, I AM still Me, the God-Man, your hope of salvation and life everlasting.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.