"And I beheld, and, see, in the middle of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the middle of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

Revelation 5:6-10

To whom is the writer referring in this passage? Who will reign on the earth and when exactly will this take place?

The Goal is Christ

" For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Titus 2:11-14

Meek and Mighty

"Do you look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that , as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present."

What a glimpse into the life of Paul the apostle; not at all what we would have imagined given the incredible amount of scripture he contributed to the New Testament. Yet for all the wisdom and knowledge imparted to him, his outward appearance and conduct were rather unimpressive and clumsy. Here is a man that practiced the very love he preached; and to such an extent that he was willing to appear foolish if only he could present the Corinthian Church as a pure virgin unto Christ.

May God raise up more shepherds and overseers like this; who will genuinely care for the things of Christ and speak the truth in love.

What's on your dung heap?

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death; If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.

Phil. 3:7-11

Two questions for you:

1. What things had you counted as gain but have given up for Christ?

2. Why was Paul so adament about attaining resurrection from the dead?

Question

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Phil. 3:12-14

What exactly is Paul referring to? Can you explain?