Recently I have discovered a passion for the Lord like I have never known. I desire to know him, study him, and live like him. He has sparked in me a desire and love to read everything I can get my hands on. One of the books that I have been reading is a book by D.L. Moody about bible study. I was blown away with the love and conviction he gave me about my personal quiet time with God. One thing in particular has touched my heart. Since getting my new ESV study bible I have reread the New Testament with the exception of Revelation. Revelation was a book of the bible that has always confused me and I always felt like I couldn't understand it and that it wasn't necessary to study. That was until Moody told me that it is the only book of the bible that mentions Satan in chains. That was something I never knew in all my years as a believer. So why do so many have the same view about Revelation? Satan lies. He deceives us and fills our heart with lies. He would do anything to keep us from knowing the victory in the end and how Satan will be chained and God will crush him. I am only about 6 chapters into Revelation and I am so blown away with how awesome it is. The book is full of John's vision about the Glory and Majesty of our Lord and Savior. There are numerous accounts of angels and elders falling to their knees to worship God. They fell down and cast off their crowns to the king of the universe.
Revelation 4:10-11 The twenty four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they existed and were created."
Revelation 5:8 the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Then comes my favorite part. I can only imagine this and I know my imagination doesn't do it justice. I long to see this and be a part of this worship of our Lord.
Revelation 5:11-14 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands and thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Now I had to look up what myriad meant.
Myriad - Countless or extremely great number
Now read the passage again. Can you picture a sea of angels more than anyone could count along with every creature in heaven and earth and the sea singing praise to Jesus with everything they had? What a glorious picture. I can't wait. Someone once told me that heaven is going to be a 24/7 worship of our Lord and it almost brings me to tears thinking of the joy that it will be to praise him for eternity! Oh the day that he calls me home could not come soon enough.
Back to the beginning. I know that I am only 6 chapters into the 22 chapters that make up Revelation, but I have learned a valuable thing from this experience. God's word breathes life into you. No matter the book or the time. So many times we believe Satan's lies about the bible not being relevant today and not to read certain things. Satan is a liar. Oh the joy and depth that reading the first couple chapters of Revelation has done in my life. God's word is complete. God's word is fulfilling. God's word is life changing. Don't let Satan's lies keep your from growing in knowledge and love of our heavenly father. I close with this.
2 Peter 1:2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Peters says that grace and peace will increase with our knowledge of God. Don't you want that? Multiple your knowledge of him and watch your desire for him grow.
