Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 1:12-20.

 

“¹² Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me.  And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands;  ¹³ and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash.  ¹⁴ His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow;  and His eyes were like a flame of fire.  ¹⁵ His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.  ¹⁶ In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword;  and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

                                                             

¹⁷ When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.  And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid;  I am the first and the last, ¹⁸ and the living One;  and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.  ¹⁹ Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.  ²⁰ As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands:  the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”  Revelation 1:12-20.

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We all have visions;  they may not be true.  But, we have them nevertheless.  We should conform our visions to that of Scripture.

How do we view Christ?

How do we view churches?

How do we view Christ’s position in relation to the churches?

Today’s Scripture shows Christ in His power and majesty like that of a king.  Verses 13-16.  This is not someone that we can ignore or lightly dismiss.  John fell at His feet like a dead man.  Verse 17.

Today’s Scripture compares churches to lampstands.  Verse 20.  Lampstands give out light.  Lampstands are attractive.

Today’s Scripture shows Christ in the middle of the churches (lampstands).  Verse 13.  Today’s Scripture shows Christ with angels in His hand ready to deploy for the benefit of the churches.  Verse 20.

Article 27 of the Belgic Confession states in part that “… Christ is an eternal King, … . And this holy Church is preserved or supported by God …”.

The Westminister Confession states in part:

Question 45: How does Christ execute the office of a king?

Answer: Christ executes the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them;  in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good;  and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.

The Heidelberg Catechism states in part:

Question 51.  What profit is this glory of Christ, our head, unto us?

Answer.  First, that by his Holy Spirit he pours our heavenly graces upon us his members;  and then that by his power he defends and preserves us against all enemies.

In summary, today’s Scripture builds our faith that Christ, our Eternal King, is ready, willing, and able to build, govern, and protect His church.  “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Timothy 1:17