9th June 2022
Hope from the throne room of God
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelation 4:11 (NIV)
Some of the most encouraging and convincing messages of hope were issued in God’s presence from his very throne room. Revelation chapters 4-8 give statements and scenes from that throne room. Chapter 4 begins with John, the author of this book, being invited, in the spirit, to go through an open door into the throne room of God. John continues with an awesome description of that throne room, and the chapter ends with the header scripture above praising God for what he has done.
In this verse you and I are told why we are here. We are here, not because of blind unguided natural causes, but we were created and have our being because God willed it to be so. God wanted us.
Subsequently John saw in vision, ‘…a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne…’ (Revelation 5:6). The crucified, resurrected, and ascended Jesus was standing in the middle of the throne and his work of salvation acknowledged: “…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.” (vv.9-10).
Salvation is not restricted to a particular culture, race, or country. God’s purpose is to include everybody, and those who accept Jesus as their saviour, in faith, experience salvation.
Lest we should think that we can contribute to or maintain our salvation through our works, a countless multitude of the redeemed are pictured standing before the throne and in front of the lamb saying, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:10).
Chapter 7 ends with a brief description of eternal life with God and is one of the most encouraging passages of scripture: “ ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ” (Revelation 7:16-17).
Prayer
Father, we thank you that through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus you have made salvation available to all humanity.
Study by Eddie Marsh
About the writer:
Eddie Marsh attends the Sheffield congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Please email the local congregational contact (see below) for information about the Sheffield congregation’s meeting venue and time.
Local congregational contact:
Email: sheffield@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church