Jesus in the Book of Revelation (6)
Pray Psalm 34.1-3.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
Sing Psalm 34.1-3.
(Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the LORD at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus—Him we gladly all adore!
Refrain v. 3
Magnify the Name of Jesus! Let us lift His Name in praise!
Read Rev. 17.12-14; 19.15, 16; 21.3-7; meditate on Rev. 17.12-14.
Preparation
1. Who opposes the work of the Lamb of God?
2. What will be the outcome of that struggle?
Meditation
Those who are called, chosen, and faithful follow the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, for He has taken away our sins, translated us into His Kingdom (Col. 1.13), and made us to be priests and kings with Him.
As we see Jesus, exalted in glory, let us remember that we are seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2.6), and we are the battle horse by which Jesus advances His rule (Rev. 6.2). This means we see all of life from this perspective, so that we are always faithful in seeking the Kingdom and righteousness of our King in everything we do. Our calling, as His servants, is to be the hands and feet by which Jesus is making all things new (Rev. 21.5).
The world of wrong belief is arrayed against their King and His Kingdom, even though many of them may not be conscious of this fundamental conflict. They are blinded by their sovereign, who is a liar and the father of lies (Jn. 8.44), and they have devoted themselves to the lie that they can get along fine without the Lord. Thus, they stand in all things opposed to the truth of the Lamb (Rom. 1.18-32).
Life in the Kingdom, properly understood and pursued, is a struggle against the lie and all who are caught up in it. Yet our enemy is the deceiver of men, and not the deceived men themselves. We overcome him the same way the Lamb did, by remaining faithful to God’s Word and laying down our lives in love.
And as we are faithful to our exalted and eternal Lord, we bring the Sword of the Spirit into every facet of our lives, all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities. For it is in all our daily situations and callings that the Kingdom makes progress by the power of the living Word and for the glory of our exalted King.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.“For I, the LORD your God, AM a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me,
but showing mercy to thousands,
to those who love Me
and keep My commandments” (Ex. 20.5, 6).
“I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3.14).
“If then you were raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ Who is our life appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3.1-4).
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccl. 13.13, 14).
Jesus Christ—The Chosen Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world—did so,
that we would repent of our sins, turn from them, live in the power of the Holy Spirit,
to honor, and glorify, and enjoy Him forever.
Not to make church members, but to be The Body of Christ.
Not to sing happy-clappy songs, but to worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
Not to do what we want to do, but to do exactly what He tells us to.
Not to dash through communion as a mere tradition, but to Remember Him and His sacrifice for us.
Not to think more of ourselves than we should, but to realize we are His faithful servants.
Not to show Him love the way we choose, but to obey Him fully as He prescribes to be loved.
“Fight the good fight of faith,
lay hold on eternal life,
to which you were also called
and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses…
keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,
which He will manifest in His Own time,
He Who is King of kings and Lord of lords,
Who alone has immortality,
dwelling in unapproachable light,
Whom no man has seen or can see,
to Whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen” (1 Tim. 6.12, 14, 15).
“I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
He who overcomes shall inherit all things,
and I will be his God and he shall be My son” (Rev. 21.6, 7).
Possible only through JESUS our Eternal LORD and KING.
Reflection
1. In what sense is Jesus our eternal Lord right now? What are the implications of this for us?
2. How do you expect to know opposition because of your loyalty to King Jesus?
3. Whom will you encourage today in their relationship with our eternal Lord and King?
Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet. The reason of the victory is, that he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has supreme dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his control. His followers are called to this warfare, are fitted for it, and will be faithful in it. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Revelation 17.7-14
Pray Psalm 34.4-9.
In your time of prayer, give praise and exalt the Name of Jesus. See Him in His glory, ruling from His throne. Devote yourself and your day to Him.
Sing 34.4-9.
(Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
When I sought the LORD, He answered and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
Refrain v. 3
Magnify the Name of Jesus! Let us lift His Name in praise!
When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
’Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
Refrain
Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
Refrain
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” turns to consider the work we’ve been given to do. In our Read Moore column, we continue working through the book, Understanding the Times. And I encourage you to follow our Crosfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert, nicknamed “The Navigator.” Join us and find out why. Click the Articles tab on the home page to see all the selections available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
