Joel 1-3 Revelation 5

“Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels around the throne, and the four living creatures, and the elders. There were thousands and thousands of angels, saying in a loud voice: ‘The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise!” (Revelation 5:11-12 NCV)

In the midst of the season of Advent, we’re reminded that Advent not only celebrates the coming of Jesus as a baby – the event we celebrate as Christmas, but also the return of Christ or the second coming. The book of the Revelation to John is a promise of that second coming and a reminder of the greatness of Jesus – the Lamb who was slain. How great is Jesus? This heavenly throne room scene helps us understand. The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise.

It’s a core tenet of most of the Christian world that not only did Jesus come to earth as a little baby, He’s coming again to conquer evil and restore God’s justice to the world. This belief began in the Church the moment Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection. As people saw and then felt the weight of evil in society during the first and second centuries as persecution began, that belief became even more important. Throughout times when people in the Church have been persecuted or the evil in society, sometimes brought by the Church, grew, God’s people have longed for the return of Jesus. We look at our world today and agree with the early Church whose plea was “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” The evils in society continue to thrive and seemingly take over all areas of life. Instead of advancing against evil, we seem to be losing every battle and so we cry out for Christ’s return. We search for signs of His coming and in our human wisdom, set dates for Christ’s return which seem like misguided wishful thinking on the day after. We don’t know when, but He will return. And we will all acknowledge His status, recognizing that He alone is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise. While we wait for His return, we’re called to stay true to His call on our lives and show His love and grace in words and deeds to all, including those who would persecute us.

Come quickly Lord Jesus. Until You come, though, let me be a testimony to Your love, grace, and forgiveness. I pray for strength for all those who follow You and that our lives might reflect Your glory to a world that needs to experience You.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.