The Word for Today with Ray: January 2020

Friday, January 31, 2020

Harps, Golden Vials and Prayers Revelation 5:8

John the apostle “beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth, and he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne”, and in chapter five and verse eight of Revelation John shared how the Lamb “had taken the book” and saw “the elders” with “harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints” where we read:

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

The verse reads, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, ...” John began with the words, “and when he” which means “at the time when the Lamb” “had taken” which means “lay hold of, claimed and procured” “the book” which refers to “the written document or scroll”, “the four beasts” or “four living beings” “and four and twenty elders” which refers to “” “fell down” or “” “before the Lamb” or “in front of and in the presence of the Lamb of God or Jesus”. John referred how the “four living beasts” and the “twenty-four elders” prostrated themselves before Jesus at the moment He “laid hold of” the “scroll which was in God's right hand”.

The verse goes on to say, “... having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.” John continued with the words, “having” which means “holding, owning and possessing” “every one of them” which refers to “each, all and the whole of the twenty-four elders” “harps” or “lyres”, “and golden vials” which means “broad shallow bowls or deep saucers overlaid with gold” “full” or “filled and swollen” “of odors” which means “of aromatic burnt substances or incense”, “which are the prayers” or “that are the earnest orations addressed to God” “of saints” which refers to “those who are most holy, pure and morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated”. John saw the “twenty-four elders with “lyres and golden bowls” which were identified as the “prayers” of “saints”.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we note what a marvelous scene this must have been for Him. When John began to convulsively sob because no one was found “worthy to open the book and loose the seals thereof”, things seemed hopeless for the salvation of earth and man. However, when Jesus, the “lion of the tribe of Judah”, “the root of David” who was seen as “a Lamb that was slain”, took the “scroll” in His hand, all of heaven who held “harps and golden vials” as prayer began to worship Him. God designed the “salvation” of man to be implemented through His Son Jesus, and anyone who receives Him as “Savior and Lord” shall be “saved” and inherit “everlasting life”.

Next time John shares what happened when the “elders” “sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Lamb Takes the Book Revelation 5:7

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

The verse reads, “And he came and took the book out of the right hand ...” John began with the words, “and he came” which means “and the Lamb arose and established himself” “and took” which means “and claimed, procured, lay hold of and apprehended” “the book” which refers to “the written document or scroll” “out of the right hand” or “from the right hand of honor and authority”. John saw the “Lamb that was slain” “lay hold of” the “scroll” in God's right hand.

The verse continued, “... of him that sat upon the throne.” John continued with the words, “of him” which means “of the One, God” “that sat” which refers to “who was seated, fixed and established” “upon the throne” or “on the chair of state which has a footstool and hence power belonging to Christ”. John watched as the “Lamb” retrieved the “scroll” from God who was sitting upon His “throne”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we think about this wonderful scene in heaven where the “slain Lamb” is able to receive the “scroll” or “title deed” to the earth from the “right hand” of God. The clarion call was made for anyone to take this scroll, read it and look upon it, and no one was found until this “slaughtered Lamb” which represents Jesus. God's Son Jesus was the only One found “worthy” to take hold of this “scroll” because He paid the penalty of death on the cross for the sins of the world, and when He was resurrected from the dead, death was defeated and He obtained the lawful right to the “earth's deed”. Now all who receive Him as “Savior and Lord” shall receive salvation and the promise of “eternal life” with God. May all who read these words understand the significance of this “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. (See John 1:29)

Next time John shares what happened when the Lamb “had taken the book”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

A Lamb in the Midst Revelation 5:6

John the apostle “saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.” He added, “And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof”, and in chapter five and verse six of Revelation John shared, “how he saw in the midst of the four beasts, and … elders...a Lamb” where we read:

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

The verse reads, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, ...” John began with the words, “and I beheld” which means “John perceived, noticed, discerned and discovered”, “and, lo” which means “and see”, “in the midst” which refers to “in the middle and center point” “of the throne” or “the chair of state having a footstool which was assigned to kings and therefore showing kingly power or royalty” “and of the four beasts” which means “and the four living beings”, “and in the midst” or “which are in the middle or center-point” “of the elders” which refers to “the presbyters, judges or rulers”, “stood a Lamb” or “was made firm, established and set a little sheep or lamb”, “as it had been slain” which means “as though the lamb was slaughtered, butchered, put to death by violence and mortally wounded”. John saw “a Lamb” which represents Jesus who was beat, whipped and “slaughtered by violence”.

The verse goes on to say, “... having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” John continued with the words, “having seven horns” which means “which possessed seven projecting extremities in a pointed shape or apex” “and seven eyes” which refers to “and seven ocular receptors”, “which are the seven Spirits” or “that are the seven ways which emphasizes personality and character” “of God” which means “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “sent forth” or “appointed, departed and dismissed” “into all” which means “toward the whole and every part of” “the earth” or “the arable lands, countries, territories and regions”. John shared how God's “Seven Spirits” with “seven horns and eyes” were sent out to the entire “world”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we remember the announcement of the “elder” who said, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah...has prevailed to open the book”, and yet, John saw “a Lamb, as it had been slain”. Jesus is both “the Lion” and “the Lamb” of God who is the “Savior” of the world, and when we consider His “ability to see and know everything” which is represented by “seven eyes”, His “almighty power” represented by “seven horns” and His “full and complete personality” or “seven Spirits”, we realize He is capable to save people from their “sins”. There is indeed “a sacrificial Lamb of God” whose name is Jesus, and anyone who receives Him shall be “saved” and inherit “everlasting life”.

Next time John shares how he saw, “he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Thursday, January 30, 2020

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has Prevailed Revelation 5:5

John the apostle saw “four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.” John also, “saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book

written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals”, and he continued, “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book,

neither to look thereon.” In chapter five and verse five of Revelation John shared how, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah...has prevailed to open the book” where we read:

And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,

the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The verse reads, “And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, ...” John began with the words, “and one of the elders” which means “a certain one of presbyters, judges or rulers” “said” which means “uttered, proclaimed and declared” “unto me” or “to John”, “weep not” or “do not mourn, lament and bewail”: “behold” which means “look and see”, “the Lion” or “the brave and mighty hero” “of the tribe” which refers to “who belongs to the nation and people” “of Judah” or “the tribe that were the offspring of the son of Jacob whose name means he shall be praised”. John heard one of the “twenty-four elders” tell him not to “lament and bewail” because the One known as “the Lion” from the people of “Judah” was among them.

The verse goes on to say, “... the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” John continued with the words, “the Root” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of David” which refers to “the second king of Israel whose name means beloved and is the ancestor of Jesus Christ”, “has prevailed” or “has conquered, carried off the victory and overcome” “to open” which means “unfasten and loose” “the book” which refers to “the written document or scroll”, “and to loose” which means “to untie, dissolve, melt and break” “the seven seals” or “the seven signet seals” “thereof” which means “of the same”. John shared how Jesus, who is “the Root” or “offspring” of “King David”, was victorious and “worthy” to “open the scroll” and “unfasten” the “seven signet seals” upon it.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we discover the encouragement the “elder” gave to him as he recognized Jesus as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and “the Root of David” as “worthy” to “open, read and look upon” the “scroll in God's right hand”. Jesus was the only One who was entitled to “unseal” this document, and therefore, John's “weeping” could be done away. God has declared His Son Jesus as the rightful owner of the “deed” to the earth, and everyone who receives Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” shall not only be “saved” but also inherit “everlasting life” with Him. May all who read these words rejoice with John the apostle because Jesus was and is “worthy” to be the “Savior” of the world.

Next time John shares how he saw, “a Lamb as it had been slain”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

John Weeps Over No One Found Revelation 5:4

written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals”, and he “saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” In chapter five and verse four of Revelation John shared how he, “wept much, because no man was found worthy to open, read or look” upon “the book” where we read:

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book,

neither to look thereon.

The verse reads, “And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, ...” John began with the words, “and I wept much” which means “and John mourned, lamented and bewailed greatly and sorely”, “because”which means “since” “no man” which refers to “not one person whether male or female” “was found worthy” or “was examined as, scrutinized as, learned, discovered and present as having weight or value, befitting, congruous and of merit” “to open” which means “unfasten or unloose” “and to read” or “and to distinguish between, recognize or know accurately to acknowledge” “the book” which refers to “the written document or scroll”. John's reaction to no one being “found worthy” to “open” or “read” the “scroll in God's right hand” was to “sob convulsively”.

The verse goes on to say, “... neither to look thereon.” John continued with the words, “neither” which means “not even to” “to look” which means “to discern, perceive, discover or observe” “therein” or “within the scroll”. John did not see one person who was able to “discern, perceive or observe” what was in the “scroll in God's right hand”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we begin to understand the importance of this “scroll” in God's right hand. Many believe this “book”, or written document, was the title deed to the earth. Two copies of property “deeds” were printed by hand in those days. At the time of the sale of a property, one copy of the “deed” would be given to the new owner, and the other copy would be “sealed” and put within an enclosed jar or vase. If anyone doubted who authentic owner of the property was, the jar or vase was broken, the second copy of the document or “deed” was retrieved and the opened “seals” would declare the rightful owner. This “scroll” in God's right hand is thought to be the “title deed” to the earth of which Jesus became the rightful owner after His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. John wept because at this point in heaven, no one was found “worthy” to “open, read or look upon” this “scroll”, however, the story does not end here, and we shall discover that Jesus is indeed “worthy”.

Next time John is instructed to, “weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah...has prevailed to open the book”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

No Man is Able to Open or Look at the Book Revelation 5:3

written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals”, and he continued, “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” In chapter five and verse three of Revelation John shared how, “no man...was able to open the book, neither to look therein” where we read:

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth,

was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

The verse reads, “And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, ...” John began with the words, “and no man” which means “and no person whether male or female” “in heaven”which means “within the region above the sidereal heavens where the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”, “nor in earth” which refers to “and not in the arable land, country, tract, territory or region” “neither under the earth” or “and not underneath or down under the arable land, country, tract, territory or region”. John referred to the search that was made for a person “in heaven, the earth and under the earth”.

The verse goes on to say, “... was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” John continued with the words, “was able” which means “had the power, was capable of and strong enough” “to open” which means “to unfasten” “the book” or “a small scroll or written document”, “neither to look thereon” which means “nor to discern, perceive, discover or observe the book”. John shared how no one was “capable” or “worthy” to “open” or “look” upon the “scroll”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we see one of the saddest moments of this scene in heaven. No one was found “worthy” to “open” or “look upon” the “scroll” which God held in His right hand. This meant, at this moment, that no one could claim the right to “redeem” the earth from it's fallen state. In other words, mankind would not be saved. However, we are not finished with everything John saw, and may we know God's plan for the salvation of man through His Son Jesus Christ shall be revealed and is available to everyone who shall receive Him. Let today be the day when everyone who reads these words surrenders their life to Jesus who alone is “worthy” to “open the book”.

Next time John shares how he, “wept much, because no man was found worthy to open, read, or open the book”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.