Day 97

Just a little clarification. If we make the mistake of literalizing everything we read in Revelation, we create problems in our own minds. For example, is the throne literal? Can you limit omnipresence to a “chair?”  Remember it said that we will sit down with him on His throne – if it was just me and Him then that would be OK, but it includes you and myriads of “overcomers” through the ages. The Bible speaks to us in conceptual language that our minds can understand. What does the concept of a “Throne” speak to you about? Rulership, sovereignty, and authority.

Does God need judgment books? He is omniscient, He knows everything. The “books” convey to our limited finite minds the concept that a record is being kept. Do angels actually have wings or is this a concept that we understand in terms of flight? Yes, I believe that angels get around at great speed, but I’m not sure that they actually have wings.

Conceptual language is portraying literal things in a way that we can understand. Scientists say that we will soon be able to communicate with dolphins. If so, how will we be able to tell them about things that are way beyond water and fish and boat bottoms? This is how God is dealing with our limitations. He speaks to us in concepts and symbols. He uses the language of the past (The history of the Old Testament) to enlighten our futures. I believe that God is Sovereign of the Universe, I believe that Jesus is “the Lamb that was slain,” but I also believe that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s.” There’s a concept worth contemplating.

I share this because we are about to enter one of the most amazing chapters in the Revelation of Jesus Christ and I want you to be able to balance reality with the narrative of how it is presented. Chapter 5 will seal forever any doubt you may have about Jesus Divinity and His equality with the father.