Day 14: Grateful for the Greatest Gift of All!
1After this, I heard the sound of a vast crowd in heaven shouting, "Hallelujah! Salvation is from our God. Glory and power belong to him alone. Revelation 19:1
We all know that the Book of Revelation is the final book of the Bible. In chapter 19, we’re coming to the final victory of God over the forces of evil and what we read is so powerful and comforting: I heard the sound of a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Hallelujah! Salvation is from our God. Glory and power belong to Him alone.” It’s comforting to know that a “vast crowd in heaven” were doing the shouting. Some have concluded that only a few of us will “make it” into heaven, but God’s word makes it clear that a “vast crowd” will be there. That crowd makes a definitive statement about salvation and about God: Salvation comes from God alone. Glory and power belong to God alone. We may distracted by all the glitz and glitter around us in our day. We may think that those who collect the most “toys” win, but the reality is God holds the kings of heaven and hell, and salvation from hell and for heaven is His to give. Jesus told us as much during His ministry on earth. He said that when He returns He will be the one to separate all people into two groups—sheep and goats, righteous and unrighteous. He also told us that He came to seek and to save the “lost”. Each of us is “lost” until we are found by Jesus. Once that happens we join Him in the search for the lost. One of the greatest blessings of salvation is the opportunity to share it with others. Salvation is not a scarce “commodity” that we must hoard for ourselves and our own families. Salvation is available to all who seek it. Our task is to give thanks to God for this greatest of all gifts and then to pass it on to others, because as we give it away, we don’t lose it ourselves. Far from it! In fact, it seems that when it comes to salvation, the more we seek to give it away, the more there is to give!
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
If salvation, glory and power belong to God alone, what does that tell us about our relationship with Him?
Take some time right now to consider once again who you know that needs Jesus. Take some time RIGHT NOW to call that person, or stop by and visit that person and invited Him or Her to join us in worship at New Life tomorrow!