Monday, January 18, 2021

A Picture of Heaven - Holy, Holy, Holy

"Behold, a door standing open in heaven! (Revelation 4:1)  One glimpse of the glory, power, and absolute authority of heaven makes all the difference, and establishes perfect peace in the heart of the believer.  There is none like You, O God, and Your Word will never pass away. You are worthy to be praised forever.  

God gives us an awesome picture of how totally He is in charge and of the infinite glory of His Kingdom.  This picture of heaven is a powerful image to focus on when we come into His presence in prayer and praise.  Jehovah Shammah, He is here.  Remember when the Queen of Sheba saw Solomon's wisdom, provision, and order, how there was no spirit left in her.  Likewise, when the Holy Spirit reveals to us God's wisdom, beauty, and perfect rule, all of our doubts, fears, and worries completely disappear.  We can totally trust and worship this holy God through all the shaking events because we stand in awe with Him in an unshakeable kingdom. God inhabits and is enthroned in His praises. No wonder Psalm 150 calls everyone that has breath to praise the Lord.  

There is a powerful picture painted in Isaiah 30 that shows what happens as we rejoice in and praise the Lord.  It appears like God is a conductor of an festive orchestra whose arm swings to the music of our joyful worship, and as his hand descends He renders justice to the wicked.  "You shall have a song as in the night when a holy festival is kept, and gladness of heart as when one goes with a flute, to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the Mighty One of Israel.  The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard, and show the descent of His arm, with the indignation of His anger and the flame of a devouring fire."  The passage goes on to say with tambourines and harps, His voice will be heard, and He will strike with a rod the punishment of the wicked. 

In Revelation 5, one of the most awesome moments in heaven is displayed as a search for someone who could rightfully receive the title deed to rule the earth in righteousness and truth. Behold, Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Son of Man, is found worthy and God the Father hands Him the scroll. This perfect battle plan is wrapped in seven seals with the sure promise to remove everything that opposes God's kingdom of love.  God is love and the kingdoms of the earth will become the kingdoms of our Lord, ruled with righteousness and peace. 

As the Lamb, who rightfully earned this reward because of His shed blood, receives the glorious decree, all heaven falls in worship at God's glorious plan.  His sacrifice releases the infinite love and wisdom of God in transforming believers of the Lord Jesus into His priests and king who will rule on the earth forever. Perhaps the greatest miracle on earth is the transformation of the church into a holy bride, fit for a King.  

God has always been revealed as a unshakeable rock, a refuge in the storm, and a very present help in times of need.  Therefore it is consistent of God to provide this glorious picture of His plan and victory to give us peace as He deals with the rebellion of man.  Furthermore, the heart of God is manifested even in the righteous judgments of rebellion,  He is beckoning men to repent and receive His mercy.  God desires all men to be saved, and this is the perfect plan to bring in the greatest harvest possible of souls into the kingdom.  As Psalm 149 declares, God takes pleasure in His people.  God doesn't change, His way is perfect. 

In Luke 21:28 Jesus tells us how we should react, "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  Clearly we are to live by the Word of God, not by bread alone, or by our fleshly perceptions.  This "beyond description of words" revelation of God's throne and glorious triumph over every evil presents us a sure promise of a future and a hope. As we see end time events beginning to happen, rather than be fearful, it is time to look up and cheerfully give Him all our love and praise.  He is worthy to be loved with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength.  Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. 


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