Police Devotion 2-6-2018
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:8-12)
In the beginning of Revelation 5, John the Apostle sees God the Father on His throne holding a sealed book. No one is worthy to open it, and John weeps. But then he hears the wonderful news! “…the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Revelation 5:5). John continues to write, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne” (Revelation 5:6-7). The Lamb is Jesus, God the Son. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He is the Lamb because His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary paid our sin-penalty before a holy God, and then He rose again.
Now back to our passage. Look how much attention Jesus gets! “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” No one in heaven will be thinking that he got there because he worked hard. He will know that he is in heaven and not in hell entirely because of Jesus: “…thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood…”
Some people are celebrities and have fame and attention on earth: actors, musicians, pro-athletes, people of power and influence. Do you have a favorite celebrity? What has he or she done for you personally? Could you just call your favorite celebrity on the phone? Probably not. They may be special to you, but you’re not special to them. They may even be decent people; which hopefully, they are. Still, they’re only human, and their celebrity status will one day be gone, like all things of earth: “…for the things which are seen are temporal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
In heaven, though, for eternity, Jesus will have everyone’s attention, and He’ll deserve it all! If you’ve trusted Jesus as Saviour, you know that He did for you that which you couldn’t do for yourself! Here on earth you can draw near to Him by reading His Word and by prayer, but one day, you’ll see Him face to face!
And someday I shall see Him face to face
To thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace
Which He gave to me when He made me free;
The blessed Son of God called Jesus.”
Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know by Lela Long
Won’t it be wonderful to see the Lord Jesus face-to-face and spend eternity with Him in heaven! Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour? If you aren’t sure but want to know more, please click “Helpful Links” on the top menu and then “How Do I Go to Heaven?” on the dropdown menu.
Brian Miller 2/6/2018
Cleveland Baptist Church | 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44l44 | 216.671.2822