Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, August 28 2015

Today’s Scripture:

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” (Revelation 1:10–16).

Question for Deep Consideration:

If God were to appear to you, what message might He give?

Today’s Observation:

John, who had been exiled because of his faith in God and His Word, experienced a special encounter with God one Sabbath. During this encounter, his consciousness was under the complete control of the Holy Spirit. He heard and saw things that God told Him to write down in a book, and to deliver to His people. I cannot even begin to communicate what an honor it must have been for John to have this meeting with his Creator, especially since it was due to faith in Him, that John was exiled.

Here’s some of what happened: John heard a voice. Try and get your mind into this for a second. John was a disciple of Christ. John was one of the three whom Jesus kept closest to Him during special times. He lay on Jesus at the table during the last supper. He was with Jesus on the mountain when Jesus was seen in effulgent glory similar to the Second Coming. He was just outside of the area where Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was the one, along with Lazarus, about whom the Scripture highlights Jesus’ special love. So, when John hears this voice, he knows immediately who it is. He did not ask whom it was, like Saul had done on the road to Damascus. It was Jesus whom he had longed to see, and for whom he was being persecuted.

As this familiar voice began to speak, He also gave a vision of Himself moving through sanctuary imagery. In the Old Testament, God gave His people a blueprint for salvation. Through its many rites, ceremonies, sacrifices, etc., they were to demonstrate their faith in the Savior who had not yet come to give His life for them. They were to experience forgiveness, cleansing, and fellowship, as a down payment, until Jesus completed His work of salvation on their behalf. It was the ultimate, living-color love letter, which illustrated the lengths to which our God is willing to go in order to save us. It was through this imagery Jesus chose to come while giving John the last great testimony to the world.

When John turned to see this grand visage, not only did he see His loving Master moving through salvation symbols, he also saw a glorified vision of His character. His hair was purifying white; His eyes appeared as purifying fire; His countenance shone with the effulgence of holiness; His voice sounded like the calming waters that cover the whole earth, and that is at the center of all living things; His feet appeared as those which have walked with us through all of our tribulations; and when He spoke, it was with the searching truths of His Word. When Jesus speaks, what message does He give?

Concluding Thoughts:

We will have occasion to briefly highlight Jesus’ message through the many facets He chose to communicate the Revelation, as He guides us through the book. But, for now, let me simply...