Daily Dose of the Word of God - Revelation 1: 12-18

Kara Hackert, Director of Children & Family Ministries

Transcript

Kara Hackert  0:07  

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. It's Tuesday, February 11th. I'm Kara Hackert and this morning I'm reading to you from Revelation 1, verses 12 through 18.

Kara Hackert 0:21 

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Kara Hackert  1:24  

Let's read more about the book of Revelation from our favorite Children's Bible.This reading is called "A Glimpse Into Heaven."

Kara Hackert  1:35  

John, The much loved disciple of Jesus, lived to a great age. Revelation, the last book of the Bible, records John's vision of the future. In it, is picture language - a code that Jewish and Christian readers would understand. It was probably written at a time when the Roman emperor was persecuting the church. Many Christians were asking, "Is God really in charge? Will Jesus come back?" John himself had been sent to a prison camp on the island of Patmos, when one Sunday morning, Jesus appeared to him, shining with glory. He gave John messages to the churches in seven different cities. Then, John had a glimpse into heaven itself, where God, blazing with jeweled brightness, was sitting on a throne, circled with rainbow light in his hand. He held the sealed scroll of the future. Only one person among the multitudes in heaven was fit to undo the seal and set the events of the world in motion - that person was Jesus. John gazed expecting to see a strong lion-like figure, but Jesus looked like a lamb ready for sacrifice. He's the Lamb of God who died to take away the sin of the world. When Jesus took the scroll, 1000s upon 1000s in heaven burst out singing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and glory and blessing." As Jesus began to enroll the future, John knew for certain that God is in control. Satan, the old enemy of God, has plunged the world into sin and suffering, but Jesus has won the victory over evil by dying and rising to life forever. And John saw the end of everything old and ugly and spoiled in the beginning of a new world - fresh and lovely and good. No one who might spoil that lovely world could be allowed in, but only those made clean by Jesus.Everyone who says no to Jesus in his lifetime and refuses his forgiveness will be sent far away from God. "I saw a new heaven and a new earth," John wrote. And I heard a loud voice saying, "Now God's home is with mankind. God himself will be with him. He will wipe away all tears. There'll be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. God's holy city has no need of sun or moon, because the glory of God shines on it, and the lamb is its light." How John longed for that day to come. "I am coming very soon," Jesus promised. And John gladly answered, "Yes, Lord Jesus. Please come."

Kara Hackert  4:32  

Let's pray together. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word, the Bible. We ask that you give us a deeper understanding of your word and help us to follow your guidance and way. Thank you for sending your son to save us.  Thank you for your lamb, thank you that we get to live with you forever and ever. To you be all glory, amen.