Revelation 6

Highlights In Today's Reading:

A study in the meaning of first six seals as they are broken (chap. 6). The people of God will be preserved (chap. 7). Silence as the 7th seal breaks (8:1-3)! Sweet smell of prayer (8:4-5). Read what happens when the 1st four trumpets blow (8:6-12). If you think this is bad, wait until you read what's coming (8:13)!

It is not possible for our human minds to conceive the true greatness of our eternal God. It is amazing grace that The Creator of the Universe — who spoke the worlds into being and keeps them in their orbits — is so concerned about you and me, a very tiny, insignificant part of His creation, and that He entered into His creation to save us from our sins.

There are not enough words in our dictionary to properly thank Him for His loving-kindness nor to praise Him for His greatness. But each day we can say with all our hearts: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen (7:12). These seven words of praise should cause every Christian to join with the angels of heaven in ceaseless worship of God — now and for eternity.

Heaven echoes with ceaseless praise (blessing) and adoration by the angels that surround His glorious throne. Glory describes the splendor of His being. By His wisdom He reveals the supremacy of His amazing knowledge which is available to us through His Word (I Cor. 1:30; Col. 2:3).

Thanksgiving is a natural expression of our gratitude to the Lord who alone is worthy of the highest honour (I Thess. 5:18).

Power points to the supremacy of God over all evil forces. Might emphasizes His unlimited strength to perform His promises to all who call upon Him.

The concluding Amen, meaning "so be it," expresses full support of the innumerable host of people who stand before the throne. Praise God! We, too, are included!

God, who at sundry times and in divers manner spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the world; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:1-3).

Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great (Rev. 19:5).

Thought for Today:

Be Thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise Thy power (Ps. 21:13).

Cross References:

For Rev. 6:12: See Joel 2:31. Rev. 6:13: See Is. 34:4. Rev. 6:17: See Joel 2:11. Rev. 7:3: See Ezek. 9:4. Rev. 7:17: See Ezek. 34:23.

Word Studies:

6:13 untimely figs =unripe figs; 6:15 bondman =slave.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Phyllis Wiley • Government Officials: Gov. Robert Ehrlich, Jr. (MD) and Gov. John Lynch (NH) • Country: Romania (22.5 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Rumanian and Hungarian • Freedom of worship • 69.5% Romanian Orthodox Church; 14% non-Religious/Other; 8% Protestant; 7% Catholic; 1% Muslim; .1% Jewish; .4% Marginal • Prayer Suggestion: Wait upon the Lord and He will renew your strength (Is. 40:31).

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 28:19