Welcome to Week 5 of our Heaven Study.
If you are reading and studying Randy Alcorn's book Heaven, keep in mind that the purpose is to stir you to study to see what the Bible teaches. The Bible is God's Word, the absolute TRUTH. When you come across something that goes against your understanding - PRAY - ask God to enlighten the eyes of your understanding - then read all of the Bible passages that apply. STUDY.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Our God is an awesome God who has given us His Word to give us understanding of what was, what is and what is to come. But, even more than that, "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) Let the Word of God do it's work in your heart. Cherish it as healing ointment to sooth even your deepest sorrows.
"Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119 89) His Word will bring you comfort, strength, hope and JOY. Trust it as Truth!
All for Jesus and His Glory,
Janette
Grasping Redemptions Far Reach
Last week I tried to focus you on the JOY that is in Christ. Oh, my beloved, this is the Truth that we so must grasp. In Revelation 4 & 5 God reveals some of the present Heaven to us through the apostle John. John observes the throne room of Heaven in chapter 4 and then in Chapter 5 we see that John begins to weep because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. Then one of the redeemed saints basically says to him, "Don't weep - We've got Jesus! He has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." Then they sing an amazing new song praising Jesus for redeeming them and continue to shout "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" This loud praising spills out into all the earth. "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever." Then the innumerable number of saints fall down and worship Him who lives forever and ever.
Can you envision what's happening? If you continuing reading through Revelation chapters 6 & 7 you will see that the "seals" unleash God's judgement on the earth. All of heaven, including the beloved redeemed saints, are completely aware of everything that is happening on the earth during the "terrible" day of the Lord. Chapter 7:9-17 reveals the response of the Saints. "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" Then they fell on their faces before His throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen." JESUS is the focus - He is the Joy, He is the blessing. Nothing, even the awareness of the horrific events of God's judgement on the earth, will or can take away the joy that is in Christ. The Saints are filled with praise! They have Christ's perspective, they are overcomers, they rejoice because their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20) Their joy is in Christ and God's perfect will being accomplished on earth and in Heaven.
Some of you may still be struggling with the fact that those in Heaven have memories and are aware of what's happening on earth. Your reality may be too overwhelming. Please know this, regardless of what our loved ones remember, know or observe about earth, Jesus fills them with the fullness of His joy. He is greater than all our pain, all our sorrows and all of our memories. One day, even if we remember all our sufferings, it will seem as nothing in His presence! "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18) My dear ones, this is part of understanding the "incredible greatness of His power." Think about this for a minute. The incredible greatness of His power that overwhelms even the greatest horrors and sorrows with indescribable Joys!
Why is this so important to grasp? This weeks reading was all about REDEMPTIONS FAR REACH. Redemption means "the purchase back of something that has been lost by the payment of a ransom." (Easton's Bible Dictionary) Throughout the Bible, God is teaching us about redemption. From Genesis to Revelation God reveals His ultimate plan to redeem (purchase back) His creation from the curse that resulted from man's sin of rebellion against Him. Romans 3:24 states: "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. God gives us many examples of redemption throughout Scripture so we will "get it!" In Deuteronomy 15:15 God says to the Israelites, "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you." In the Psalms it says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!" We see in Revelation 5:9 the Saints sing, "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth." In Revelation 22 the culmination of Christ's redemption is finally complete. There is a new earth, redeemed, resurrected! Heaven has come down to earth and God dwells with us. There is no more death, sorrow, crying or pain! "And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads" (Rev. 22:3-4) Forever we will see Christ's face and we will know and remember what His great love did for us! Forever His name will be on our foreheads! Forever we will be grateful that He redeemed us. Redemption implies remembrance. How can we know we have been redeemed if we have no memory of what He redeemed us from? Our sin, our sorrows, our sufferings will all give Him great glory because He redeemed us from all!
So, my beloved moms, "Weep, but don't weep as those who have no hope - we've got Jesus!" He will make all things right one day. While we are waiting He promises to give us peace that passes all understanding. He promises to give us strength for our journey and joy along the way. May you embrace His love for you more today and increase in your knowledge of Him.
Keep reading the Word!
I love you all.
Remember: You are the focus of God's heart. Every detail of Heaven is for you!
Challenge Excercises and Questions
1. Read Revelation Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 through 8:6. Ask God to enlighten the eyes of your understanding. Write down your observations. 2. What is your understanding of God's complete plan of redemption? Do a word study on "redemption," "redeem" and "redeemed."
3. Read Revelation 21 & 22. Meditate on all that God has redeemed for us.
