“Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.” Rev. 1:4-5
There is so much these days that cause a growing source of irritation and cynicism in me—a sure indication that I need the gospel to center me every day. This small portion of Scripture confronts my bad attitude with the glory and grace; the might and mercy; the presence and purposes of the Godhead…Father, Son and Holy Spirit…making it clear that nothing has greater power to convict me of my sin and help me regain perspective… than His Word. I hope that is the case with y’all this morning as y’all head into your Monday. Our God…Father, Son and Holy Spirit delights in me/us so much that He has His servant John to remind us that He is continuously sending His grace and peace to me…to us…to His people! “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.”
This word of the Father encourages us to remember that He is timeless in His engagement with His creation and His people. He always has been, He presently is, and He always will be the God who is working all things together after the counsel of His perfect will for His own glory and the good of His people.
The Holy Spirit, in His sevenfold perfection, is constantly executing the will of the Father concerning all things—from feeding sparrows and clothing flowers; to revealing and applying the grace of Jesus; to raising up kings and putting kings down at the Father’s bidding. Nothing and no one can resist His will. Nothing or no one can thwart His will…for He is God over all who delights in blessing His people right where we are today.
Our Lord Jesus is the faithful witness who revealed the climax of God’s redemptive plan for His glory and the good of His people. He is the firstborn from among the dead, which means His death and resurrection are the guarantee and the firstfruits of the whole new creation order where by all who are His who die, in the flesh, will be resurrected as well. And not only that, as wonderful as that is, but the entire cosmos will be restored and brought into such magnificence, that the wonder of the Garden of Eden is just a hint.
All of this should free us from all passivity and presumption, irritation and cynicism. For this short passage above remind us of who God is and what God has and will do for us showing us how to live, simultaneously, as good citizens of heaven and our country. O, for the Day when God’s kingdom will come in fullness, His will be done perfectly, on earth as it is in heaven.
The gift of the Godhead to us ought to encourage us today. Here it is again, “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.” Rev. 1:4-5
God Bless y’all.
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
