Tag: Jesus the Lamb

Called, Chosen and Faithful

OLD TESTAMENT: Zephaniah 3

POETRY: Psalm 120

NEW TESTAMENT: Revelation 17

Zephaniah 3:17 (LEB):

“Yahweh your God is in your midst,

a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Psalm 120:1-2 (LEB):

“In my distress, I called to Yahweh,

and he answered me.

O Yahweh, deliver my soul from lying lips,

from a deceitful tongue.”

Revelation 17:14 (LEB):

“They will make war on the Lamb,

and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings,

and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

In the final chapter of Zephaniah, we see a beautiful promise of restoration for God’s people. Despite the judgments and warnings throughout the book, Zephaniah reveals a God who delights in His people. The imagery of God rejoicing over His people with gladness and singing conveys a profound message of love and hope.

This promise is especially comforting when we feel weighed down by our failures or the struggles of life. No matter the circumstances, God’s presence is a source of strength and salvation. He quiets our fears and anxieties with His love, inviting us to experience His peace. Reflecting on this passage encourages us to trust in God’s ability to restore and redeem our lives, no matter how lost we may feel.

Psalm 120 begins with a cry for help from a place of distress. The psalmist’s plea reflects the reality of living in a world filled with deceit and conflict. This prayer for deliverance from lying lips and a deceitful tongue resonates deeply in a society where truth is often obscured.

In our own lives, we may face similar challenges—misunderstandings, falsehoods, or manipulation. Like the psalmist, we are reminded that we can call upon God in our times of need. He hears our cries and is ready to deliver us from the influences that seek to lead us astray. This passage encourages us to bring our concerns to God, trusting in His protection and guidance as we navigate the complexities of our world.

Revelation 17 presents a stark contrast between the forces of evil and the sovereignty of the Lamb. Despite the tumult and the power struggles depicted, the ultimate victory belongs to Christ, the King of kings. Those who stand with him are described as “called and chosen and faithful,” highlighting the significance of our relationship with him in the face of adversity.

This truth empowers us as believers. While we may encounter challenges and opposition, we can find solace in knowing that our Savior reigns supreme. The victory of the Lamb assures us that evil will not prevail in the end. This passage calls us to remain faithful, trusting in God’s promises and living out our calling as His children.

-Jeff Ransom

Reflection Questions:

How does the promise of God’s rejoicing over you impact your understanding of His love and presence in your life?

In what areas of your life do you feel distressed or overwhelmed? How can you bring those concerns to God in prayer?

Reflect on the theme of deceit in Psalm 120. How can you guard your heart and mind against falsehoods in your daily life?

What does it mean for you to be called, chosen, and faithful in light of Revelation 17? How can you live out this identity in your community?

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Breaking Out Into Song

Revelation 15

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Oddly enough, as I read through Revelation 15, I thought of so many Disney movies. No, not the fictional characters or the talking animals. Instead, the random break out in song no matter what else is going on or crazy circumstances that they are in. 

We are given the picture of the angels holding the plagues that would complete God’s wrath –  and then take a look to the left, a song breaks out and all those that were singing had harps that were given to them by God. Timing seems pretty odd with the upcoming events about to take place.

They are singing 2 songs – both redemption songs. One like the one that Moses sings after He had freed them from slavery in Egypt and the other a saving from death and destruction He provided through Christ. These songs are giving God glory and praise for what He has done. 

It doesn’t matter what is happening around them, the singers have reason to sing. They have been saved by an amazing conquering God. We too have reason to sing. It may seem weird to break out and sing at random moments but I think that is a glimpse of the kingdom. We will sing praises to the God that is worthy to be praised.

The angels are about to spread the plagues and the redeemed are singing to their God. 

Not to make light of these events foretold, but our world at times may feel like a plague is upon us. We still have reason to sing. Never miss an opportunity to sing praises to our God. Don’t let the distractions of this world get in the way of our ultimate purpose; to worship the one that sets us free. 

-John Wincapaw

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you practice giving God praise and glory even in the midst of scary, overwhelming or unknown circumstances? How can you bring glory to His name in the midst of your activities?
  2. How does music help us display our emotions?
  3. Create a short (or long) song of praise to God, using the song of Revelation 15 as inspiration. What do you praise Him for? Do you fear Him as well (Revelation 15:4)? Why?

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1 Short Chapter – 49 Cross References

Revelation 5

Imagine, for a moment, your favorite movie or tv show. How much of it can you quote? How many references have you made to your friends who have seen it with you a thousand times? How many times have you watched, acted it out, or recited memorable lines?

Revelation 5 is one of the most theologically packed chapters of the Bible. Why is that? Because the Bible is a complete, unified story that spans thousands of years and dozens of authors, and they all point to a single narrative. The author of Revelation, John, knows his Bible like a movie that he’s watched hundreds of times. In Revelation 5, my Bible shows 49 cross references to other verses. John really knows his Bible!

What’s the purpose, then? When we read Revelation 5, we’re reading the fulfillment of lots of God’s promises. In just 5:1, for example, we’re reminded of the throne room of God in Ezekiel 1, and the sealed scrolls in Daniel 12:4 and Isaiah 29:11. (Tip: when a biblical author makes a clear reference to a different spot in the Bible, they usually want you to go back and read it to see what they mean!!)

What is this scroll, anyway? And why is it that no one in heaven or on earth is worthy to open it? We have to keep reading to find out. And here lies the secret behind all of Revelation 5: God’s written plan, which he held in his own hand, could only be carried out by one very, very, very worthy individual. And his name is Jesus. 

The rest of Revelation 5 lists off the many qualifications that Jesus holds. He is the lion of Judah. (See Genesis 49:8-12, when God says that the ruler of Israel is like a lion, and he will be of the tribe of Judah). Jesus is the Root of David (see 2 Samuel 7:14, when God promises that one of David’s descendants would rule forever). Jesus is the lamb that was slain (read about the passover lamb in Exodus 12, and how Paul calls Jesus our Passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7). We see how these immensely powerful creatures, who dwell constantly in the presence of God, sing about this important role of Jesus– that he can open the scrolls because he was slain, ransomed us for God, and made us a kingdom of priests to God, so we can reign on the earth. 

I hope you’re starting to see the story of redemption that God had been planning since Genesis. Jesus is the fulfillment of that story. And the four living creatures, the myriads and myriads and thousands of thousands of angels of heaven, are all “in on” this great story and its many references and quotes from history. They know that Jesus is the climax of God’s great story. 

So when we read Revelation 5, let us sing along with all of God’s angelic host in proclaiming that to God and the Lamb “be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

-Levi Salyers

Read or listen to today’s Bible reading plan passages at BibleGateway.com here – Obadiah and Revelation 5

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