To be vulnerable for a minute, something I struggle with from time to time as a musician, singer/songwriter, (and I am guessing I am not the only one), is that feeling of why. Why does a song matter if no one hears it? Why can't I get more doors to open? Why can't I achieve this goal, or that marker? The plague of questions and lies that are no doubt a scheme of the enemy that keep us distracted from the true point....the true purpose. Yet despite knowing this, they still find their way into my thoughts. I have been praying lately for the Lord to use me. Asking Him to show me His plan for the gifting He gave me, and so clearly called me too. Have you ever prayed those prayers? Felt unsure about your calling within music/ministry? Maybe you already have a strong ministry or a confirmed call you are walking out each day....either way it is good to be reminded of the reality of what we do on a spiritual level.
The church is working their way through Revelation, and this Sunday they went through Revelation 5. This chapter reveals how John sees, in his vision, a scroll, which contains the future and hope of creation. Sealed with 7 seals. The chapter goes on to tell of the one who was able to open the scroll. Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the only one worthy or able to open the scroll.
Revelation 5:8-14 says
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[b] on the earth.”
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[b] on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The scroll being open, means hope for us. We were purchased by Jesus, for God Himself. That we could be one with the creator. And this news, this glorious revelation, led the elders to worship. With harp and song. Worshiping with song was not only their immediate reaction to the reality of salvation but it was a worthy and just response. The glory and majesty of what was done for us led those already in heaven into a place of worship. And this shows us just how precious worship is in heaven. It is an event that is going on even now as I write this. And I heard the Lord say to me as
the pastor delved into these truths, "I have given you the ability to experience what is happening in heaven right now, on earth through worship. To have a true encounter with me through a heavenly activity. And to help others experience this as you lead". This floored me. The idea that the Lord would give a gift like this to His children. It has in many ways changed my view of worship. And of music. I believe the enemy knows and understands just how much power and value there is in Worship. He has experienced it first hand and that is why he tries so very hard to stop us. To discourage us, or to distort what music means to us. No matter who hears it, or how many people are in the room, or how many downloads you get for a song, you are engaging in heavenly activity. Lifting up your voice with a new song, a new word....bringing glory to Him who sits on the throne....joining the angels and those who have gone before us is an honor, a privilege, and a true way to bring praise to the king. The question pastor Chuck asked us that has had me thinking for the last few days was this...If the angels and the elders, who have experienced worship in heaven with the Savior, were in the room with us during worship, what would they be thinking? Do we worship as ones who have been saved and redeemed the way the elders did as Revelation tells us, when they saw the Lamb of God take and open the scroll? Is it our first reaction to His grace, His mercy and forgiveness? Do we worship as children, heirs of the King of Kings? As ones experiencing heaven on earth?...or do we worship as a formality of praise. An obligation of our faith. Has worship become a habit or a work? Perhaps the gifting isn't even really about success at all....Perhaps the gifting is about the revelation of praise. The rest is just the earthly ways He uses a heavenly calling. Until we get to heaven we may never fully know the magnitude and power of worshiping our Lord, but until we do...I want to experience the fullness of His presence. I want to experience heaven on earth.
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