As John began recounting what he had seen, he recognized the eternality and authority of Jesus Christ. This is the One who has redeemed us; this is the One who has shed His blood for us and alone is able to forgive us of all sin; this is the One who reigns supreme over all creation; this is the One who is worthy of all our praise and worship. “…To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be gory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1.5-6). Our Lord “loves us.” This love is not manifested because of who we are or what we are capable of doing. Rather, this love stems from the very heart of God who looks upon us in His unconditional favor, who sees us in our vilest state, who knows we are rightfully condemned to an eternal destiny of fiery judgment; this love reaches out to us when there was absolutely nothing we could do, when we were dead in sin, when we were lost without hope; this love called us by name, redeemed us through His shed blood, and feed us from all bondage of sin and eternal judgment. This love goes beyond delivering us from sin to making us children of His eternal kingdom; this love secures us with His power and keeps us by His Spirit; this love enables us for each day and fulfills all His promises to us; this love prepares a place for us in His eternal glory. This love goes even further as He makes us to be priests before Him, able to enter into His holy presence now in prayer and intercession; this love gives us the hope of entering His presence in eternity, ever being able to worship before His holy throne.
“To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever,” for there is no other who deserves our praise; there is no other who is worthy of our awe; there is no other who is sovereign over all; there is no other who is glorious, and holy, and perfect as is our God; there is no other who reigns supreme now and will reign unchallenged eternally.
Loved, freed, and given hope – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 