Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Open the 5th Seal (2/27/25)

The other day I was trying to drive close to the speed limit and watch changing speed zones, but a car behind wasn’t as careful. They sped up to go around me when the road expanded to four lanes. However, the speed limit reduced right there (as we entered a small town) and a police pulled them over immediately. My first thought was in thanks to God it wasn’t me and that I saw and slowed down timely. My second thought was that the other driver would have benefited from not being so eager to pass me. 😊

Other times, when a reckless driver passes me, weaving in and out of other cars, I do wish they would be caught quickly to end the danger they are bringing to everyone around them. When someone is harmed by someone else, we often want justice served quickly and completely. Even the saints in Heaven pleaded for justice.

Revelation 6:9-11       ⁹ When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.¹⁰ They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” ¹¹ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

God is Just and will eventually avenge evil. He patiently and lovingly withholds immediate justice to give people additional opportunities to repent of their rebellion against Him and turn to follow Him.

II Peter 3:9       ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

In what circumstance are you and I desiring justice? Like the saints in Heaven, I think it is natural and acceptable to ask God “how long?”. The saints didn’t say “Please Judge!” or “Will you Judge?” but asked when will God Judge. Knowing God’s Holy and just character, they knew He would judge, but it was a matter of when. They asked according to His will.

Jesus is worthy to open the 5th seal and graciously gives us assurance that our Holy God will bring justice in His Sovereign time. As we await His justice, we can focus on the grace and mercy He has already extended to you and me and pray for others to respond to His opportunities to repent and turn to Him.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Open the 2nd-4th Seals (2/20/25)

Last week we saw Jesus open the 1^st seal that ushered in the first of four horses, the white horse. This week, the next 3 seals are opened, revealing the next 3 horses and judgments.

Revelation 6:3-8      ³ When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” ⁴ Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.

⁵ When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

⁷ When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” ⁸ I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

These three horsemen are given power to take peace, provision and population from the earth. These events could happen concurrently or in succession, one after the other. As horrible as these judgments sound, it isn’t the final judgment. God is still giving time for people to repent. Not all resources are damaged or scarce. Not all people are killed. I see His patience, amid His judgments. Each seal or event could be seen as warning signs of worse judgment to come. God holds back the full force of His wrath and continues to give people additional opportunities to recognize God, repent of their sins, and turn to Him.

We’re all to acknowledge and submit to the fact that only Jesus is worthy before God. Have you and I taken the opportunities God has given to us to rightly respond to that fact and to heed His warnings? If so, we will be blessed!!! As the beginning of Revelation said (1:3) Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

One blessing is certainty knowing Jesus is worthy to open the 2^nd-4^th seals and He is in control of what comes from them!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Open the First Seal (2/13/25)

A very loud “thud” disrupted our family Bible time last night. We each looked in various rooms for something that fell, but never did figure it out. We finished our Bible reading, discussion, and prayer time and then put the kids to bed. They were able to go to sleep knowing they were safe, despite not understanding the reason for the loud noise.

Similarly, reading Revelation can be puzzling. However, we can focus on what we do know for sure – God is in control! His continued plan of redemption and justice unfolds as the worthy Lamb of God opens the 7 seals of the scroll.

So what’s in the scroll and what are the seven seals?

Revelation chapter 6 begins to tell us.

Revelation 6:1-2      I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” ² I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

Each seal seems to reveal preliminary events leading up to the culmination of God’s plan for redemption and justice. Seven is a number of completeness, so each of these 7 seals reveals a layer of God’s judgment on the earth. One view is that each of these layers is part of the tribulation. Another view is that these layers cover the entire time between Jesus’s 1^st and 2^nd coming. Either way, what we do know is that God is Sovereign and in control of each layer.

Well, what about the rider on the white horse? White often signifies holiness, perfection and purity. God the Father and Jesus the Son are often described as clothed in white. However, this rider on a white horse is “bent” on conquest. He’s not the already Victorious One. He isn’t bent on peace or redemption or justice. He appears like Christ, but deceives. The rider could be the Antichrist or one of the false prophets or a kingdom. His power is given to him and is limited. He can’t do anything outside God’s rule and authority.

Jesus is worthy to open this 1^st seal and He is in control of what comes from it!

How will you and I trust Jesus’s control in our lives today, even when we don’t understand confusing things that happen around us?

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Complete Worship (2/6/25)

After the 24 elders and 4 living creatures sang a new song in praise of Jesus, the rest of heaven and earth joined in the praise! They praise Jesus as the worthy One to open the scroll of God. The angels mention 7 things in their praise (power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise). Seven is the number of completeness so it seems to indicate they are giving Jesus full and complete praise!  

Revelation 5:11-14   ¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

How is your and my praise? Is it full and complete, like the angels? Or is it often partially distracted and insincere lip service? I can get easily distracted in prayer and in singing worship music. I pray regularly for the ability to focus and think about what I’m singing. However, sometimes I focus on the behavior of the kid next to me. 😊

Of course, worship isn’t just singing or praying. It includes our whole body and every area of our life. None of us gives complete worship with all of ourselves, but we will someday! We can look forward to that day and practice now!  

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy and Values You (1/30/25)

What’s the most expensive gift you have ever purchased for someone? Have you ever spent all you had for a gift?

My Dad sold his car in order to buy an engagement ring for my Mom. It was just about all he had. He valued her that much.

Well, Jesus gave all He had, including His own life, to purchase you and me as a valuable gift for God.

Revelation 5:7-10    ⁷ He [the Lamb] went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“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.
¹⁰ You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
    and they will reign on the earth.”

 

Knowing how valuable you, your prayers and your service are to God, what priorities and goals will you set for the rest of this year? Jesus valued me enough to give up everything, so why wouldn’t I sacrifice time and money for Him?

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as the Triumphant One (1/23/25)

Last week we saw how our Father God is worthy of all praise and honor for all eternity. After the spectacular scene in Revelation chapter 4, John was briefly saddened by what he saw next.

Revelation 5:1-7      Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

Only triumphant Jesus, the Lamb slain for us, is worthy before God! No other human or angel was, or ever will be, worthy before God.  

None of us are holy or righteous. The only way we can be seen as holy and righteous in God’s eyes is to believe in Jesus’ work on our behalf (His death, resurrection and exaltation). Philippians 3:9…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

So, will we one day be worthy, as well? I don’t think so. Worthy means morally upright and fully deserving. We are seen as holy and righteous before God because God has consecrated and justified us by His grace and mercy through the blood of Jesus. However, we will never be fully deserving. Only Jesus lived a perfect, holy and morally upright life. He then took on the death we deserved and victoriously overcame death by rising from the dead by His own power.  

Only triumphant Jesus is truly worthy! Let’s praise Him for His worthiness and all that He did for you and me.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy and So is God the Father (1/16/25)

As a kid, it was hard to fathom continual worship in heaven. I couldn’t imagine a worship service that never ended! “Praise” nights at church were fun, but I got tired of standing after a while.

After studying the book of John last year and then Revelation this year, I think I understand continual worship a little bit better. In the book of John, he painted a satisfying picture for those who follow Jesus. Jesus offers the greatest imaginable thirst and hunger quencher as the living water and bread of life. Jesus also says He came to give abundant life as our Light, Shepherd, Vine and Savior. He’s the most rewarding relationship we could ever have! He offers perfect, complete and eternal love. That’s who we will be by our side for all eternity! It will be the most satisfying experience to be in God’s presence and worship Him, just as it is for the 4 living creatures and 24 elders.  

Revelation 4:6b-11 In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”

This is a picture of a holy, perfect, and completely satisfying experience worshiping our Creator God! If sharing the tastiest meal with the most enjoyable person is pleasurable in this life and something we never want to end, then being in the presence of God will be far more spectacular, amazing and delightful! We won’t run out of things to taste, hear, see, feel, smell, say or experience! How does that excite you for Heaven? We’ll get to celebrate the worthiest Almighty God each and everyday! 

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of All Beauty (1/9/25)

What’s the most spectacular scene you’ve ever seen?

In 2005, I got to go with some Bible study friends to ski in Lake Tahoe. We arrived just after a historic 20 feet of snow had accumulated! Not only was it the best skiing I’ve ever experienced, but the views from the tops of the mountains were spectacular! The sun glistened on the snow for miles on end in all directions!!! I had never seen anything like it and knew it was a once in a lifetime experience! Throughout the week, I couldn’t help but worship God the Creator! I know my words can’t begin to describe it and even pictures don’t do it justice.

I wonder if that’s how John felt as he tried to describe the scene in Heaven that he saw!

Revelation 4:1-6      After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ² At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ³ And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. ⁴ Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.

Wow, I can’t begin to image how spectacular Heaven will be and how glorious God is!

Is there anyone else’s presence you and I would rather be in?

How does God’s brilliance and power compel you and me to worship Him?

Let’s remember John’s description as we think about and worship the Beautiful and Almighty God this New Year!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as Our Temperature Regulator (12/19/24)

Are you hot, cold or lukewarm? Physically speaking, I’m usually cold. Spiritually speaking, I desire to be hot for God!

As Jesus addressed the seventh church, He rebuked them for being lukewarm.

Revelation 3:14-22   ¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Jesus rebuked the Laodicean’s for their prideful reliance on their own material wealth. Jesus seemed to be telling the Laodicean’s that their spiritual depravity was significant. Maybe they thought God was pleased with them because of their material blessings and lack of troubles, but Jesus made it clear that was not the case.

I love how Jesus said he was “about to spit” them out. He is so loving and patient, that He gave them a warning. Out of love for them, He called them to repent and return to Him. Then, He would provide what they really needed – fellowship with Him.

What would Jesus say to you and me? Where do you and I think we have it together or are in control of our life? (Kent talked about control yesterday!) What would God say we really need from Him? Would He call us hot, cold or lukewarm? As we submit to Jesus’s control, He will provide what’s needed to change our temperature! 

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy as The Miracle Key (12/12/24)

Have you ever locked yourself out of your car or house or office? What did you do?

One day, my husband Joe locked himself out of his office. I don’t think he realized he was the last counselor in the building and that the front door was locked. After going to his car to get a fork for his dinner, he realized he was locked out. He didn’t even have his phone on him. He prayed about what to do. He then went to the industrial trash bin area outside his office complex to look for anything he could use to pick the lock. He found a couple things to try, but made one more loop around the trash bin area and suddenly saw a key in the rocks nearby. You guessed it! The key miraculously fit his particular office door out of all the office doors in the complex!!! We praised God for “He Holds the Keys” as the Christian song title says!!!

The early Christian church in Philadelphia faced much bigger troubles than a locked door. However, Jesus reminded them that He holds the key and will reward their perseverance.

Revelation 3:7-10    ⁷ “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. ⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. ⁹ I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Jesus recognized the weakness of the Philadelphia church, worn down by continual persecution. He commended them for their patient endurance and promised to redeem their reputation. He also promised to spare them from a far worse trial.  

If you are a follower of Jesus, He has made the same promises to you. No matter what we suffer in this life, He will spare us from eternal death and bring eternal justice on evil. How are you and I comforted knowing this? What current situation is easier to endure knowing Jesus, as the miracle key, holds the door to Heaven open for us?