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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 5 December 2023:
Nahum 3:18 — Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber.
Wicked nations have leaders who are oblivious to God’s looming wrath, judgment, and destruction. The Assyrians did not believe in The One True God, but they were held accountable by Him nonetheless. God is still God whether one believes in Him or not, and God will act according to His will, not according to the way others think He should act.
Revelation 4:1 – After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
From Ligonier Ministries: “More than anything else, the book of Revelation lifts the veil that keeps us from seeing what is really going on in creation. Today’s passage is a great example of this. So often, we are tempted to think that the kings, presidents, and prime ministers of this world are running things. Yet, in John’s vision of heaven, we see who is truly in control—the Lord God Almighty.
John hears a voice “like a trumpet,” calling Him up to heaven in order to see “what must take place after this” (Rev. 4:1). As with other prophets such as Isaiah, John’s commissioning to the prophetic task occurs in heaven itself (see Isa. 6). This is the same voice John heard in Revelation 1:10, the voice of Christ Jesus. Our Savior calls John up to heaven, where he sees “a door standing open” (4:1). The Lord does not keep His truth hidden from His people but gives us an open door to them through John and the other prophets through whom God has revealed Himself.
In heaven, John sees a throne with “one seated” on it (v. 2). A description of this One is given in broad strokes, using symbols that give us only a sense of what John glimpsed, not a detailed picture of the One on the throne. The One seated has “the appearance of jasper and carnelian” (v. 3), clear precious stones through which light could shine. We have a depiction of luminosity, of the brilliance of the glory of God. Around the throne, John sees a rainbow that resembles an emerald. Likely the rainbow is present to assure John. Just as the rainbow we see on earth reminds us that the Lord will not destroy the world by flood (Gen. 9:8–17), the rainbow in heaven assures the saints of God that He will not destroy them.
Surrounding the throne of God are twenty-four smaller thrones, on which twenty-four elders are seated. In keeping with Revelation 21:12–14, these are likely the twelve heads of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles of Jesus. The people of God throughout the ages can be summed up in these twenty-four individuals, so we likely have reference to God surrounded by His people as a whole.
Lightning and thunder come forth from the throne (4:5), a clear echo of Exodus 19, where the Lord came down to Mount Sinai in His sovereign majesty to reveal the law to Moses. John’s vision of heaven, then, depicts God in His absolute sovereignty and glory, reassuring His people that no matter what happens on earth, He reigns in heaven and is in full control of all that is seen and unseen.
God’s sovereignty does not guarantee that we will experience no difficulties in life. It does remind us, however, that God has a plan and a purpose for everything, even when we cannot see it. We can trust Him to bring good out of everything for His people, for nothing can thwart His plan. Knowing that nothing happens outside God’s control gives us great assurance.”
Revelation 4:8 — Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.
The only attribute ascribed to God in the Bible that is emphasized in repetition three times is the attribute of holiness. What does this tell you about how you should approach God? What does this tell you about how you should feel about sin?
Revelation 4:10 – They cast their crowns before the throne.
True worshippers surrender all glory to God. As an ambassador for Christ, never, never be caught claiming the glory.
Authority is always subordinated, legitimized, and constrained by a higher authority, except for the ultimate Authority of the Sovereign Lord. God gives His children dominion and authority under His dominion and authority. Which means when we are operating within God’s will, be have the power and authority of the Creator of all things at our disposal. However, when we step outside His will, we have absolutely no power and authority. In fact, that sort of abuse of position is most criminal. As an analogy, consider a police officer’s use of deadly force. If a police officer uses deadly force to stop a murder from committing a murder, then that police officer is justified and commended. If needed, that police officer could even call upon the aid of additional police forces to stop the criminal. However, if that same police officer used deadly force in anger against a petty criminal, that police officer would face severe criminal penalty. Jesus said, when we are fulfilling His will, nothing can stand in our way, but when we are operation against His will, nothing will work. Exercise your authority under His authority with no abuses of power.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 5 December 2023: Today, let your behavior honor and glorify the holiness of God. Your every action should be a reflection of His holiness and the power of the Holy Spirit upon your life. (Revelation 4:8)
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 