2023_11_24 Insight Post- Karenna Rowenhorst
This week’s reading- Zechariah 9, Revelation 5, Daniel 7
By this time the turkey has been eaten, the pumpkin and sweet potato pies have been served and devoured. It’s time to get to the more important reason for why we set aside the fourth Thursday in November – giving thanks. I’ve been doing the Bible Reading Plan this week with an underlying theme of gratitude ringing in my ears.
We’ve been reading a lot over the past few weeks about who Jesus is and why his nature (fully God and fully human) and role on earth are so critical. The book of Revelation is the source of a powerful vision given to the author, John, where he writes about Jesus’ role on earth and what authority he has through his divine and human nature. In the vision, John sees the sacrificial lamb (Jesus) before the throne of God. Imagine this scene from Revelation 4: the majestic throne of God, surrounded by a sparkling rainbow, with flashes of lightning and the sound of thunder. Around the throne are twenty-four elders dressed in white, seated on thrones, with crowns on their heads. Stretched out all around them is a crystal-clear sea, like glass. And then there are four living creatures: a lion, an ox, a creature with the face of a man, and an eagle. This is what happens at the throne of God:
“Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.” Rev. 4:9-11 AMP
What a majestic picture! No king, emperor, czar, or other earthly leader has ever had such a display of power and might. Nothing comes close to the throne room of God. His righteousness and goodness are blindingly bright, he is fully omnipotent and completely powerful. It’s right and good for us to give thanks to God for his works of creation and his sustaining will that keeps us alive. I know I don’t spend enough time giving thanks to God for the beautiful world he has given us, and the way he provides for my every breath and heartbeat, every day. What areas of your life do you spend time giving thanks to God? Can you picture this scene in heaven? How can we remember that God deserves our thanks for who he is and how he created us?
My favorite part of this scene, as if this isn’t already enough, is who John sees standing in front of the throne, specifically between the throne and the people, “And there between the throne (with the four living creatures) and among the elders I saw a Lamb (Christ) standing, [bearing scars and wounds] as though it had been slain, with seven horns (complete power) and with seven eyes (complete knowledge), which are the seven Spirits of God who have been sent [on duty] into all the earth.” Rev. 5:6 AMP
Jesus stands with us and with God. He is united with God in his divinity, and he is united with us in our humanity. Jesus had all the power and glory of the throne of God, and he voluntarily gave that up to become like us and to be put to death for our sin. And through his sacrifice, he becomes the link between us and God. The ultimate thanks and praise belong to Jesus for his sacrifice.
Karenna Rowenhorst
Senior Director of Education