DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2020-12-04
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Revelation 4:8-11
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁸ Each of these Living Beings had six wings, and the central sections of their wings were covered with eyes. Day after day and night after night they kept on saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty—the one who was, and is, and is to come.” ⁹ And when the Living Beings gave glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four Elders fell down before him and worshiped him, the Eternal Living One, and cast their crowns before the throne, singing, ¹¹ “O Lord, you are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power, for you have created all things. They were created and called into being by your act of will.”

OBSERVATION: John had been given a glimpse of how God felt about his churches, and I believe that we found characteristics of ourselves and our churches throughout the challenges given by God To those churches. Now we could see where John is given a glimpse of what heaven might be like. My heart leapt for joy as I read the praise by the Living Beings and by the Elders, and I will share the reasons in my application below. Consider your expectation of your meeting God when you see Him on His throne! Oh what a day that will be!! Glory!

APPLICATION: I believe that people have various reasons that keep them going to church, and these things build enthusiasm and excitement into them for the coming day of corporate worship times each week. For many, it will be the exciting praise and worship time, for others it will be the enthusiastic proclamation of the Word by their pastor, or it might be getting together with their Bible Study teacher and/or group, or just seeing their Christian friends again, and yet for others, perhaps just because of the time that normally draws them closer to the Lord. For Christians in general, I believe that just the thought of Heaven and being with Jesus, their heart may skip a beat at just the thought of it. When a loved one passes away who knew Christ, it seems that the anticipation builds for remaining Christian close relatives to want to be in Heaven, because they have loved ones already there. Friends, we must remember that we are on this earth for just a while, so I hope that we will examine our purpose closely and not procrastinate in fulfilling our personal goals while here. Like any smart person, we must think ahead to ponder what happens after life here on earth, so that we could prepare ahead of time for an even more exciting time after this. Some will be drawn to the reality, love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and they will accept His free gift of eternal life, while some will choose to live each day in blindness and obliterated to the future. The second group will die in their sin and go on to spend eternity in Hell, the place of fire and torment, where they will be forever under the unfortunate leadership of Satan. However, in John 3:16, the first group is promised eternal life in Heaven with their creator. While the second group will be crying out in anguish over their awful predicament, the first group will be watching things such as John saw, and joining in with endless praises to the One who loved them unconditionally and sacrificed His only Son to provide the means of them being washed white from their earthly sin. Dear friends, I am a part of that first group and my heart sings out in praise when I read of the glory that John saw. For He tells of the worship of my King, the One that I worship here on earth, and the same One that I live in anticipation of worshiping at the foot of His throne in Heaven one day soon! Many of you may never experience your pastor or elders praising God here on earth, because they are so busy serving. I have gone to conferences where pastors are free to personally worship, and it truly blessed my heart. Imagine John seeing the Elders (Pastors) falling down in worship to the King that they taught and preached for a lifetime. Imagine you in worship to your King, with your pastor alongside you, worshiping your Savior? Oh my friend, no matter how much we read, nor how much we imagine or think about this, the awesome moment of truth when we bow at His feet will outshine all earthly thoughts about the moment! Please my friend, accept my Savior today. Know Him personally so that you too can join me at the feet of Jesus. Why burn in Hell, when you can ‘shine’ in the glory of the Master?

PRAYER: Why me Lord? What have I ever done to deserve God’s only Son and the glories of Heaven? But because of Your grace, and because of Your unconditional love, You provided Your precious Son so that I may call Heaven my eternal home. Thank You Jesus for tugging on my heart and encouraging me to surrender my life to Your will and way. Being reminded of Heaven and the meeting we will have with You, is enough to help me go on stronger in my faith today, and more encouraged to draw even closer to You each day through Your Word. Please Lord speak to my readers today, and remind my family and friends again today, that there is only one way for us to meet with You in Heaven, and that is to believe on You and have relationship with You here on earth. Please touch hearts today and draw Your people unto yourself, before it is eternally too late. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!