A New Years Challenge for the Brethren.

In the Book of Revalation we read two scenes from heaven that I find absolutely fascinating. In Revelation 5:7-14 it states: "And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshiped."

We also read: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.'" (Rev. 7:9-12) We also get a description of these people standing before the throne of Christ: "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev. 7:14-17)

Now, I hope you notice something here, something that I've noticed. Who are the saints in heaven focused on? Christ, their redeeemer!!!!

Believe me, I know firsthand how hard it is to be focused on Jesus Christ. I struggle with worry quite a bit, to be perfectly honest. So, I say this not as someone who's conquered this, but as a person also struggling with being completely focused on Christ.

But, I still find it amazing, and a valuable lesson for us (those of you who read this who are saved through Christ alone by God's grace alone): that we should be focused on Christ. Now, as I said, I struggle with this myself. But, this coming year, I challenge not only myself, but my readers who are fellow siblings in Christ to do as the author of Hebrews urges us to do: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Believe me, I also know how tempting it is to try & look unto my OWN righteousness & not to CHRIST'S. And, it's also tempting to fall prey to theology that's more about MY glorification rather than God's. I mean, we have SO many popular preachers these days like Robert Schuller, or Joel Osteen, or the whole other list of prosperity preachers like Benny Hinn, TD Jakes or Creflo Dollar, who basically teach a theology that's not CHRIST centered, but MAN centered (little wonder they're so, popular, huh? And believe me, I could write a whole other thing about 2nd Timothy 4:3)

But, anyway, I'm challenging myself and my readers to be focused on the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus the Christ, God in Human Flesh!!!!! May God richly bless my dear brothers & sisters in Christ in this new year!!!