The sun rising over Mt. Zion, the Mountain of God.
I have read and heard many times that what you believe about God is the most important thing about you. I believe this to be true. So what is it that you believe about God? So much for beating around the bush!
When Jesus walked the earth, He declared that He was God’s beloved son, that He had come from the Father and was returning to the Father. He also declared that He was the only way to the Father and that anyone who came to Him would receive salvation. I think anyone who honestly looks at humanity realizes our need for salvation. Some religions believe salvation comes through contemplation, others through works. Jesus offers salvation through relationship.
I have been following Jesus for many years now. I know Him better today than I ever have and I am closer to Him than I was when I first met Him. Though I still need His salvation as much today as when I first confessed my sins, the more time I spend with Him and the more I look to Him, the clearer my vision of God becomes. As with any relationship, the more time you spend with someone, the more you get to know them.
The book of Revelation has become one of my favorite books in the Bible, not because of its prophetic imagery, though I enjoy that, but because of the picture it paints of Jesus. When Jesus revealed Himself, John described what he saw as follows;
“His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow—and His eyes like a fiery flame. His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading waters. He had seven stars in His right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth, and His face was shining like the sun at midday. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.’ “
Revelation 1:14-18 HSCB
I love this picture; eyes aflame, feet afire, a voice thundering like cascading waters and a face brighter than the sun speaking words of courage and hope. This is a vision of the God that I have come to know and love and this picture resonates as true deep within me. It is a clear revelation of who He is.
The fifth chapter unwraps this vision even more. An angel is given a tiny scroll by God, and the question is asked, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll (Revelation 5:2 NIV)?” No one was found worthy until one of the elders of heaven declared, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals (Revelation 5:5 NIV).”
The next verse is amazing. “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders (Revelation 5:6 NIV).” Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, is the center of Heaven. He is encircled by all others in Heaven; creatures, elders and thousands upon thousands of angels. He is the only one worthy. He is the savior of the world.
What follows is a crescendo of worship. It starts with those closest to the throne, the elders and the living creatures, pouring out bowls full of worship and singing,
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:9-10 NIV
As the worship builds, it spreads a little further out to the angels circling the throne, numbering in the thousands. They come in close and declare;
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Revelation 5:12 NIV
Then, in the final crescendo, everyone else in all creation joins in the song.
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
Revelation 5:13 NIV
What powerful imagery of Jesus. He is the center of Heaven. He is the only one found worthy. He is the one I believe to be the beloved Son of God who offers salvation to everyone. This is what I believe about God. What do you believe?