Victory Ceremony

Victory Ceremony

Revelation 15: Then I saw in the sky another mysterious sight, great and amazing. There were seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last ones, because they are the final expression of God's anger.

² Then I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. I also saw those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and over the one whose name is represented by a number. They were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps that God had given them ³ and singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

“Lord God Almighty,
    how great and wonderful are your deeds!
King of the nations,
    how right and true are your ways!
⁴ Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord?
    Who will refuse to declare your greatness?
    You alone are holy.
All the nations will come
    and worship you,
    because your just actions are seen by all.”

 

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After winning a prize, I was told to arrive early to the formal award ceremony. I received instructions on where to sit, who to meet on the stage and what to do after the meal.

 

• I was excited about the ceremony!
• I was handed objects pertaining to the ceremony.
• I enjoyed participating in the ceremony!

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was given a mysterious sight, great and amazing. He saw the seven angels with seven plagues as the final expression of GOD’s anger. But before talking about what the plagues were, there was a ceremony, orchestrated by GOD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew what HE would do after the great tribulation.
• GOD provided the musical instruments and Moses and JESUS provided the song.
• All who had endured some terrible things were finally able to participate in a victory ceremony!

 

Celebration is coming! I mean, sometimes it looks so dismal and celebration seems so far away. BUT GOD is not worried. In fact, HE is planning a victory celebration that includes you and me!

 

Those who endured the persecution and did not bow down to the beast will receive a harp and a song of victory! I look forward to this ceremony!

 

Challenge

• How do you think the writer felt about what he saw?
• Have you ever been celebrated or watched a formal celebration?
• Will you persevere and endure through the troubles so you can participate in GOD’s victory ceremony some day?

Song Writing

Luke 1: ⁴⁶ And Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
⁴⁸ For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
⁴⁹ For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
⁵⁰ And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
⁵² He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

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Jingles, theme songs and music that hits the charts found a strange place in my mind. I remember songs from commercials that were made decades ago. Every once in a while I will burst out in song, singing about a product that may be off the market.

• Songs are important to me.
• Songs get stuck in my head sometimes.
• Songs, written by someone clever, seem to delight my heart.

Mary was so delighted that she burst into song. There was no rhyme or meter. She did not even sample a popular beat. She sung from the heart about JESUS.

Every day I could have a new song.

JESUS is awesome to me.

HE saved my soul and watches over me!

JESUS clears the way for the low and knocks over the arrogant.

JESUS is my rock and my salvation, whom shall I fear?

HE blesses those who seek HIM earnestly and fills the heart of the lonely.

JESUS sends me to the uttermost parts of the world to tell people about HIS SON.

JESUS was and is and is to come and HIS mercy, grace and love endures forever! amen

What is your song today?

Daily Exercise

Psalm 96: ¹ Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

⁴ For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.

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On top of the hotel was a tiny track. I was only a few years out of college and felt I was still in decent shape. Remembering my days on the high school track team, I warmed up then jumped on the track. To my surprise I was sluggish and slow.

• The longer I skip exercising the harder it is for me.
• The more time I spend not exercising the more my muscles forget.
• The greater period I spend away from exercising the harder it is mentally and physically to get back into it.

One day the SPIRIT moved me to speak about CHRIST to someone. I hadn’t spoken a word about HIM or HIS salvation in years! “Should I talk about me? Should I argue with this stranger on their stance? How should I even mention GOD?” were the flood of thoughts that scared me away from speaking about GOD. I said a couple of words and walked away disappointed. I was SPIRITUALLY out of shape.

• GOD wants me to stop using church cliché’s and start speaking about HIM with my mouth.
• GOD wants me to sing a new song about HIM meaning I need a new adventure rather than looking back at the old.
• GOD wants me to declare HIS glory among all peoples, not just the ones I feel comfortable with.

I heard a church term “Always speak about GOD and sometimes use words” but I can’t seem to find that phrase in the Bible. GOD wants me to boldly declare HIS name and praise HIM for everything HE has done, is doing and will do! He doesn’t want me to sing a song about HIM and sometimes use words or praise HIM and sometimes use words. HE wants me to use the words that flood from a heart of gratitude!

GOD wants me to exercise daily by telling people about HIM and HIS greatness. My heart needs to be focused on what HE has done versus looking at the next complaint I can lay at HIS feet. I praise GOD from whom all blessings flow. I praise HIM as a creature here below. I Praise HIM above ye heavenly host. I praise FATHER, SON and HOLY GHOST! amen

• Are you afraid to speak about GOD?
• Do you shrink back when speaking about HIS graciousness?
• Are you too busy condemning someone about their sin to tell them about GOD’s mercy on you?
• Will you stop using church terms and open your mouth by giving ‘your’ testimony about how great GOD is?