Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 185

July 7:   Revelation 5:9;   243/260(I);   ‘The Scroll & the Song’

Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: "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,

The church is now in heaven.  The church is no longer mentioned in the Book of Revelation until the 19^th chapter, when we return to earth with the Lord Jesus, on white stallions, to be with Him at the battle of Armageddon.  It is called a battle, but it really is not.  The Lord Jesus destroys the forces of satan (we are there as witnesses).  After the rewards are given to the church for our faithfulness to fulfill the Lord’s will for each of our lives, the church is now standing in front of the throne of Father God.  God the Father has a scroll, sealed with seven seals.  Those who study Revelation believe the plan of redemption is written on the scroll.  Redemption was foretold in the Old Testament and accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament.  The Lord Jesus is handed the scroll and four ‘living creatures,’ thought to be magnificent angels, whose eternal ‘function’ is to be around God’s throne to worship Him, begin to worship Jesus.  There are also twenty four elders representing the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles by the Lord Jesus worshipping Him.  They are singing that Jesus, since He is the One who redeemed us is worthy to open the seven seals on the scroll.  Jesus was tortured, humiliated and crucified.  Then He rose from the dead, having redeemed us by His precious blood.  Multitudes from all over the world heard the redemption message and were saved.  We will stand in awe and adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing we will be with Him eternally.  It will be clear that whatever is about to happen, the sovereign Lord Jesus Christ is in complete control.