Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read
slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God,
thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for
you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:20
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:20
Understanding to grow in
Jesus is the centre of all history. That's the point. There's too much symbolism to explain it all. But we are told what follows shows what will take place "after" (4v1) the details outlined to the churches - ie. in subsequent history. John sees inside heaven a scene that reflected the design of Israel's tabernacle that was to be a copy of heaven (Heb 8v5). The unapproachable holiness of God is emphasized, separated from his creation by a sea of glass, with a rainbow backdrop reminding us of his promise to Noah. This is our creator. Around him are 24 elders that probably represent the complete people of God (Israel had 12 tribes), and 4 creatures representing the most mighty and noble of all God has made. But all bow before God in acknowledging his holy purity and worth as creator. But what is most surprising is what happens next. None are worthy to open a scroll that we will learn details the events of history. And then a lion appears in the form of a lamb! We're told he is the expected Messiah (see Gen 49v9-10 and Is 11v1), God's promised saviour king - mighty (the horn) and meek, the one who is victorious through sacrifice. He is acknowledged as worthy because by his sacrificial blood he has ransomed a people from all creation, to be a kingdom of priests - those who will reign on the earth (when renewed, ch 21), offerings themselves in the service of the Lord. It is then that inumerable angels are heard giving equal praise to the lamb as is given to God himself! This king is equal in worth and authority. He is both God and man. And so we rightly lay all before him in worship. As you read note what we learn of Jesus.
Jesus is the centre of all history. That's the point. There's too much symbolism to explain it all. But we are told what follows shows what will take place "after" (4v1) the details outlined to the churches - ie. in subsequent history. John sees inside heaven a scene that reflected the design of Israel's tabernacle that was to be a copy of heaven (Heb 8v5). The unapproachable holiness of God is emphasized, separated from his creation by a sea of glass, with a rainbow backdrop reminding us of his promise to Noah. This is our creator. Around him are 24 elders that probably represent the complete people of God (Israel had 12 tribes), and 4 creatures representing the most mighty and noble of all God has made. But all bow before God in acknowledging his holy purity and worth as creator. But what is most surprising is what happens next. None are worthy to open a scroll that we will learn details the events of history. And then a lion appears in the form of a lamb! We're told he is the expected Messiah (see Gen 49v9-10 and Is 11v1), God's promised saviour king - mighty (the horn) and meek, the one who is victorious through sacrifice. He is acknowledged as worthy because by his sacrificial blood he has ransomed a people from all creation, to be a kingdom of priests - those who will reign on the earth (when renewed, ch 21), offerings themselves in the service of the Lord. It is then that inumerable angels are heard giving equal praise to the lamb as is given to God himself! This king is equal in worth and authority. He is both God and man. And so we rightly lay all before him in worship. As you read note what we learn of Jesus.
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.