You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4:11 NRSV
Read Revelation 4
Do you remember your dreams? At best, I may wake up thinking, “Wow! That was weird,” but not recollect any particulars. But I know people who can vividly recall the people in the dream, where the dream took place, and what happened. The Bible has a long history of people who encountered God in dreams and visions. In Genesis alone, there is Abraham (15:1), Jacob (46:2), and Joseph (37:5-10). In the prophetic books of Daniel and Isaiah, God uses powerful visions to reveal His sovereignty, His plans for the world, and the role of the Messiah.
Revelation is another prophetic book filled with symbolic visions, cosmic battles, and divine secrets. The book's name comes from the Greek apokalypsis, which means to unveil or disclose. It seems fitting that the sacred text, which opens with many dream encounters, ends with the vision God discloses to John. Revelation is a story about the end, rooted in the beginning–at least, that’s my interpretation.
The symbolic language of Revelation can also be interpreted in a historical context, describing events in the early church or the Roman Empire. Some interpret it allegorically, emphasizing spiritual truths and the ongoing battle between good and evil. Yet others, and this is my interpretation, view it as predicting future global events, including the Second Coming of Christ.
All viewpoints hold some merit; it’s one of those many biblical interpretation things we may disagree on yet remain friends. But these core tenets remain consistent for Christians.
There is one God who is eternal, all-powerful, and the Creator of the universe.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah. His sacrificial death and resurrection provide salvation for humanity.
Belief in the Trinity: God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. These three persons exist in perfect unity and share the same divine essence.
Salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not earned by good works or human effort.
The Bible (both the Old and New Testaments) is inspired by God and is the authoritative guide for faith and practice.
Jesus’ victory over death provides hope for believers and assures eternal life.
We are called to love God and others; showing compassion, forgiveness, and kindness are essential expressions of Christian love.
We believe in the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus.
While individual church doctrines may interpret these things somewhat differently, we can agree to disagree yet remain united as the Body of Christ, acknowledging God’s worthiness of all our praise and worship.
Triune God,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude and awe. You are the Creator God, the One who spoke the universe into existence. By Your will, everything was formed, and by Your grace, it all continues to exist today.
You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and power. We lift our voices in praise, acknowledging Your greatness. Thank You for the blessings You’ve bestowed upon us—the gift of life, salvation, and eternal hope.
As we meditate on the heavenly scene described in Revelation 4, we join the heavenly beings in declaring:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
May our lives reflect Your holiness. Help us live in awe of Your majesty, recognizing that You hold everything together. May our worship be sincere, our hearts surrendered, and our lives dedicated to Your purpose.
Thank You for Your amazing grace, which reaches down to us, imperfect and unworthy. We stand in awe of Your love and mercy. May our lives bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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