Hebrews 11 lists some of the giants of the faith who surrendered much and suffered much for the promises of God. However, we are also told something shocking: though they endured tests, trials, and torments they did not receive the very things they suffered for.
To fully appreciate the Psalms, we should read them according to four perspectives. Not every Psalm contains all four of these perspectives, but a surprising number do and virtually every Psalm can be read from multiple perspectives. Using these perspectives helps us to recognize just how much is in each psalm.
The true study of theology is the passionate exploration of the most beautiful person in the universe. The reward for that study is more than knowledge. The reward is a greater understanding of God’s fiery love for us which fuels our love for Him.
God gives the apostle John two key phrases in Revelation 4:1 that relate to our eternal calling. This is a message on our eternal calling as priests before God to encounter the beauty of God, declare that beauty to the world, and create contexts where people can encounter God’s beauty.
The fall of man is one of the most traumatic passages in the scripture, and if we are not careful we read this passage through eyes of shame and we only see the curse and the tragedy of it all. However, in the midst of the calamity we can see a beautiful revelation of the nation of God.
We are made for passion. We are made to live with passion. It gives us abilities we did not know we had. It fills our life with purpose and meaning. Where’s your passion? Or perhaps a better question is who is your passion?
The reality is that there really are not any “normal” people. There are redeemed people doing seemingly ordinary things, but these things ultimately produce things that are glorious.
There is a sense in which Revelation 4:1 is written over the doorpost of every church. In the same way that John was taken up to show him the things that must soon take place, the church is meant to be a place on the earth where people can enter and encounter the things to come.
The end of the Bible predicts heaven coming to earth as the heavenly city descends to earth. This means earth will ultimately reflect what heaven now is in many ways. Ephesians 1 tells us how this is going to happen – Jesus is going to unite things in heaven and earth.
The key transition between Revelation 4 and 5 is the revelation of the Lamb. The revelation of Jesus is what brings man into his eternal calling and what will fill the earth with the declaration of God’s beauty.
The gospel does not replace the priesthood; it enables the priesthood God always wanted. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus God’s eternal purpose of a nation of priests can go forward. Humans are uniquely created to encounter the beauty of God and declare that beauty in the earth.
In the same way the elders and living creatures in heaven stand before God and use their authority to make God’s beauty known in the heavens, so also man must stand before God and use his authority on the earth to make God’s beauty known on the earth. This is key to the plan of redemption.
