The Sovereign Lord

Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5)

The book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible. Because of its strongly symbolic nature, it can be difficult to interpret. Yet, it does present a clear view of the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. The first controversial statement it presents is that of Christ being the King with the highest authority. It echos Jesus' words after he rose from the dead:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18)

Notice that Jesus' authority is universal, extending not only to the material order, but to heaven itself: "Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (1 Peter 3:22). He is called the ruler of God's creation (Revelation 3:14). He sits at the right hand of the Almighty, serving His Father who annointed Him to be King of kings and Lord of lords.

Many may be surprised to read this. But the Bible presents Christ not only as a religious leader but a political ruler. He has been installed as the as the Supreme King by God himself. As such, all creation is obligated to submit to his rule. Whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, American, European, African, Asian, Arab, conversative, liberal, religious, agnostic, athiest, poor, rich, young, old, white, black, brown, yellow or red: all from every age are to bow before the Anointed One:

God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:9-11)

I will be exploring this theme and others from the book of Revelations in upcoming posts.

I believe in Christ

"The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
John 6:29



What did Jesus mean when he said we were to believe in him? He clarifies this in the 8th chapter of the gospel of John:

"You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

Jesus had many claims that he made about himself. So, who did he claim to be? If he is telling the truth, which I wholeheartedly believe he is, then we must believe his claims to escape dying in our sins. He tells us that he is not of this world but from above (heaven). So he is more that a mere mortal man. Let's read some of more his claims that we may know what it is to believe in him. Here is a selection from the gospel of John:

God's one and only Son

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

The Messiah or Christ

John 4:25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

The Savior of the world

John 4:42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

The Judge of mankind

John 5:22 "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him."

Sent from heaven into the world by God

John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."

The One who will raise the dead

John 6:43 "Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."

The bread of life

John 6:48 "I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

The Pre-existant I am (a term used for God)

John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

The good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep:

John 10:14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep...17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

The giver of eternal life, a claim of divininty

John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."
31Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
33"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

The resurrection and the life

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

The only way to the Father and the perfect representation of God

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Lord Jesus, I believe. I believe you are who you say you are. I believe my eternity is in your hand. I believe you are the true one and there is no other power above yours. I believe you are the Son of God from heaven sent into this world from the Father for our salvation. I trust that my life is in your hand, the good shepherd, therefore I have rest for my soul.

Through the Fire

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.



There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, it says in Proverbs. The Lord Jesus. He walks among his dearly loved followers. He stays close to the ones He died to redeem. "I am with you always," He assured his disciples. Friends do not always stay near by, especially when the fire of trial comes. But here is one who walks even through the fire with His precious beloved. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5) is His promise.

I don't understand all the trials we go through. There is pain and suffering, but He stands at the side of those who look to Him, to strengthen them and to bring them through unscathed. The promise is not that there will never be any fire to walk through. But that the flames will not harm you. A Bible verse says that the valley of Baca will be turned into a place of springs (Psalm 84:6).

Hold my hand, mighty Lord, yet gentle and humble. Powerful Savior, yet sympathetic to my weakness, bring me safely through the fire. I have found that comfort that you promise, Jesus. You comfort your sheep and guide them safely past the fierce wolves. Strengthen my faith, Lord, when it falters. Remind me of your mighty works, even preserving your people through the floods and fire. I find peace knowing you will bring us safely into your eternal paradise. So be it and Amen.

Restoration

1 Peter 5:10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

What a precious promise. No matter how damage is sustained through the crashing waves of trial and suffering, the future reflects a vision of wholeness. With God nothing is impossible. He can repay us for the years the locust have eaten (Joels 2:25). He can change "I'll never be the same again" to "He is the Lord that healed me." What have the storms of life done to your boat? With our Lord, there is hope, hope for the future. What now looks dismal and hopeless can change at any time. He makes all things new.

Psalm 42:5

Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

Our God promises ultimate restoration as well. The body that is decayed will one day be renewed to glorious, heavenly splendor. The sons and daughters of righteousness will shine like the sun and be conformed to the glorious likeness of Christ!! Tears will be eternally wiped away and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Lord, my restorer, I remember your promise, therefore I have hope. Restore us. We wait for you to shine down on us. Turn to us and be gracious and will be strong and steadfast.

Christ my Righteousness

1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.



O Lord God, my God, I know that you hear the righteous when they call. You listen to their prayer and turn your face toward them. Yet you hear me, one who by nature is far from your righteousness. What comfort and joy I find when I remember your gospel message that Christ Jesus has become my righteousness. You have given me the gift of your only begotten Son so that when you look at me, you see His holy perfection, His perfect obedience. I can pray to you with confidence in His Name knowing that in Christ, the Sun of Righteousness will rise for me with healing in His wings.

Our Lord has given us, His chosen people, a priceless gift announced to us in the gospel of Christ. Christ Jesus is offered to all as righteousness. God has offered to count Jesus' sinless perfection as our own in exchange for our faith in His Son:

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We must remember that this is a gift offered to us freely out of God's forgiving mercy and grace:

Romans 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man [Adam], death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Christ died for me, wiping away the sin that stood against me. He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God as my advocate, my mediator, my intercessor, my representative, my priest before the ultimate judgement seat. I know my righteousness is nothing. In myself I stand guilty. But I have been given a new standing before God, fully undeserved.

Do I really realize what this means? God is at peace with me because He is at peace with His Son. God is pleased with me because He is pleased with Jesus. God has adopted me as a son, because I am in His Son. God will listen to my cry for help because He listens to His Son. God judges me innocent from guilt because Christ is innocent. I bear no shame because the Son of God bears no shame. Not just for me but for all his people; for all you believe in his name. This is the gospel preached to us!

Deliverance through Gratitude

Psalm 50:14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. 23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him [b] the salvation of God."

I am reminded by this word to not be one who just makes request to God, but one who also thanks God when He answers. When I pray, crying out to God for help, and He graciously answers, I am so often tempted to forget God once the problem is gone and I am comforted. Just like the ten lepers who Jesus cleansed. When the ten saw that they were cleansed, only one came back to praise his name. The other nine went on their way happy to live a normal life without expressing gratitude.

Phillipians 4 tells us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving.

Our Father's heart is moved when He hears our heart of gratitude. We must meditate upon the good things he has done. Right now, our son Brent is back in the hospital because he had a blood infection. I am tempted to complain about the inconvenience or the hardship this causes. However, look what I have to be thankful about! Our son's life was spared. Many people die from this infection. God has provided help for us through many caring people. He provided a trailer for us so we could stay at the hospital instead of traveling back and forth 30 miles each way or paying to stay in a hotel. He has provided food and gas and help in staying with Brent. He has given us peace. Our son is doing very well.

Brent has one more chemo session which will prove to be the worst he has faced (each one is harder on him). I am tempted to worry, but instead I just need to remember everything he has done and continue to thank him for his amazing goodness. To His name be praise!

Jesus So Loved Me!

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0001/0001_01.asp

How great is the love that was poured out by the Son of God for me. A hymn says, "Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King should die for me?" Jesus said, "No greater love is there than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends." God has done more than any of us could ever ask in order to wash away our sins to give us eternal happiness in the life to come. He took on human flesh and paid the penalty of our sin with His own blood. He did it for you! He suffered for you, in your place. There was no other way. He can not, in his holiness, reward unforgiven sin. He just can't. But just as strong as his hatred of our evil is his great love, mercy, kindness and grace. The cross of Jesus Christ was the only way to reconcile the two--hatred of sin and love of sinners. No human religion, no ritual, no rites, no good deeds could do it. Only by offer a spotless lamb in our place--one who is perfectly holy and is righteous enough to exchange his sufferings for the forgiveness of all.

How can anyone complain that God is too narrow in allowing only one way to be acceptable before Him when He gave so much just so that they could come join His eternal family? How can anyone say "I have my own way to God other than Jesus" when Jesus gave up His very life through intense shame, suffering, bloodshed? How can someone follow some human religious figure when the very Son of God became man to save him or her from eternity in hell?

What then shall become of the one who rejects the Son? Scripture says, "how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:2). And it says, "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:35-36)

Oh wonderful and holy Lord, your love is greater than life. You amaze us that one so pure and blameless would love his impure creatures with such a love. It is hard, Lord, to comprehend such a love that while we were still sinners you died for us. After the way I have failed to honor you and live as purely as one ought, you have still brought me to the place of repentance and forgiveness. I am cleansed from my impurities in your sight in Christ even though I am still a sinner. What grace I have found that you would adopt me into your eternal family.

Lord, my heart is heavy and grieves that so many are hostile toward you and your way of salvation. I can't bear to think of people I know perishing in hell as you have warned us. I want more than anything, Lord, that you would open the eyes of those who are far from you to see you glory, to know your love, to believe in your Son and thus receive their eternal inheritance. Jesus, reach out your hand and draw them to yourself. Amen.

Prayer in His Name

John 14:13 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Our Lord is not only powerful; He not only has all authorithy in heaven and earth; He not only is he King of kings and the Lord of lords, He is gracious. He is generous. He is good. He offers himself to us. Scripture tells us that He has ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. Scripture tells us that He has been given a name that is above every name--that at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow. He offers to us, his beloved sheep, the use and advantage of his exalted position, his glorious name.

I remember back in 1990, just after Susan and I were married, that I had been struggling with a bad case of eczema all over my arms for months. It had gotten so bad that I wore long sleeve shirts all the time so I would not be embarrased. One morning as I was preparing for the day, this very verse came to my mind. I was struck with the realization that these words were trustworthy and true. Jesus was staking his reputation and faithfulness on the line. I was really believing it was true. I had a strange joy start to well up inside as I realized that because of this verse, my skin was going to get better. This gift of faith continued. Within two weeks, without doing anything special, the eczema was gone and has never returned!

"One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4)

As I sat in the hospital chapel with tears of petition in my eyes, this very verse came back to me. This time, it was not my skin but my precious baby boy's life that was on the line. And I thank my Lord Jesus that he is the same yesterday and today and forever. For I asked in his name and He answered. He spared my baby's life.

Psalm 145:5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, andI will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Oh Lord, why have you chosen to be so good to me and my household? We fall so short of honoring you as is your due. Our devotion is not complete nor our ways pure before you. Yet you have served us and have displayed great goodness and kindness to us. You have demonstrated that your arm is not too short to save and that you offer yourself on behalf of those who call on your name. We have cried out to you and you have not dismissed our cries but have used your power on our behalf. Lord, may you be glorified in the sight of all.

Faithful to Jesus

Revelation 7:12 The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

Oh Lord, You who have stood by my side and have made your light shine in my heart, I pledge my loyalty to you. You were loyal unto death, dying in my place on the cross to cleanse me from my sin. Grant me your strength inside me that I may remain your servant and remain faithful to your Name, even when opposition comes.

Fellow Christian, fellow brother or sister in Christ, our Lord Jesus is our shepherd, our master, our king. When we pledged our heart to him, we purposed to follow him. Let us remain faithful to him--to his cause, his testimony, his authority. May we not sway in our allegience to him and become a friend to his enemies. Remember that He loved us and gave himself for us to present us to God unstained and unblemished. He says to us:

Revelation 3:8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

In this world, we stand to encounter much opposition to our blessed Lord. Psalm 2 says that the kings of the earth take their stand against Christ:

Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."

In our own country, there is an intense battle to remove all vestiges of Christianity from our social, cultural and public realms birthed out of a hostility toward the faith. Let us continue to be strong and work for the honor and glory of Christ and the good of all people. Let us not shrink back from acknowledging Christ as the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Let us follow the lead of the beloved Polycarp centuries ago, burnt at the stake for not reviling Christ: But when the magistrate persisted and said, "Swear the oath [swear by the Genius of Caesar], and I will release you; revile Christ," Polycarp replied, "For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King, who saved me?"