"And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne. And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." Rev. 5:6-10

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Devotional Thought For The Day
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As we contemplate our upcoming meditation upon the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this Good Friday, it is good to consider the realities effected by His self-sacrifice. Forever, the glorious Lord Christ will be seen as "a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain." This is a most curious description - but the most wondrous cosmic celebration of God's great love for us is the reality proclaimed by the saints of God in heaven: "You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." We who are truly believers will join them in heaven, and will be singing the exact same song.

These saints are there, in heaven, for one reason only: "by Your blood You ransomed people for God." This ransoming, this redemption is for all people - "He is the blood atonement for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." [1 Jn. 2:2] They were brought into Christ's glorious heavenly kingdom by the Word of God, the glorious Gospel, which brought them to faith in Christ Jesus: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." [Rom. 10:17] "He that believes the Son has everlasting life; he that does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." [Jn. 3:36] They do not point to their works, their decisions, or anything else pertaining to them - they only point to Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, as true and genuine faith dictates.

These saints are glorious - "a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." They did not make themselves glorious, nor are they glorious on account of their works, but rather because Christ ransomed them and made them kings and priests to our God. We do not recognize the dignity and nobility of every single Christian - what Christ has made them. We look instead at what we can do - and consider ourselves noble only on the basis of what we have "worked" and accomplished, and this, in comparison to others. But these "righteousnesses" of ours are as "filthy rags." [Is. 64:6] Our self-chosen and self-determined services and works are usually ruined by our sinful ego, our pride, our hypocrisy - for they take our attention off of the glorious Lamb and what He has done for us. But this is certain, that no child of God "sings" of what he or she has done, but rather only what Christ has done.

It is quite a contrast, the scene at Golgotha nearly 2,000 years ago, and the exultant celebration occurring in heaven even today. What Christ was willing to endure and suffer had the heavenly reality as its goal - and no one will take the glory of His redeeming love from Him. Those who try, who are convinced that they must attain the glory of salvation by their own works and efforts, are doomed to utter futility. We cannot do what Christ has already done for us! Nor dare we attempt to seize the glory that belongs to Him for ourselves! May our contemplation of His gruesome suffering and death on the cross be mixed with the joy that is set before us as well [Heb. 12:1,2] - that we also take up our cross and follow Him!

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Scripture Cited
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Heb. 12:1,2 "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

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Prayer For The Day
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Dear Lord Jesus Christ, help us to grasp and hold fast the glory of Your love, that by faith we understand the blessedness of the ransom and redemption You have accomplished for us. May we look with joy and eager anticipation to the fulfillment of Your promises, when we also give You full and proper glory and adulation in Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.