“Glory to God Forever”

Rev 5:12 "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

Sunday we sang a song written by Steve Fee. The name: "Glory to God Forever". The lyrics: "Before the world was made before you spoke it to be, You were the King of kings…and now You're reigning still enthroned above all things, angels and saints cry out, we join them as we sing…Glory to God forever."

Let's see. The One who created all things and who made all things exist through His will is the One who gets glory and honor and power. And the One who was slain also receives power and honor and glory and riches and wisdom and strength and blessing. It is obvious that yesterday's verse was talking about God. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Gen 1:1 And it is obvious that today's verse is talking about Jesus, the Lamb that was slain. And they both get the same thing…glory and honor and power. How does that work exactly, if Jesus is not equal to God the Father? How does that work if Jesus is not God, as some claim? And how do you explain this: "And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever." Who is this One who lives forever and ever that the elders worship, an activity reserved for God alone? "Do not be afraid, I am the first and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore." Rev 1:17,18 And this One that lives forever and ever is the same One that sits on the throne who lives forever and ever in Rev. 4:10 who the twenty-four elders also worship. Same One. Same God. Same Jesus. And then go back to 1:5,6…to this One who loved us and shed His blood for us, who made us kings and priests before His God and Father, "to Him be glory an dominion forever and ever". I am seeing a pattern. It is unmistakable. Jesus is God.

I know that laying out the fact that Jesus is God is not something that I have to write about in my journal. This is something that I firmly believe. Yet it is amazing to see how prevalent this teaching is throughout Scripture and it reaffirms my faith.

And beyond this, we are back to this glory thing. God the Father receives it. Jesus His Son receives it. It is the word "doxa". And it means: the most exalted state, preeminence, magnificence, excellence. It is the highest of all honors. It is highest of all recognition. It is the highest praise that can be offered. And the Triune God gets it. No one else. Nothing else. It is reserved solely for God. That is why seeking glory on this earth is futile. That is why looking for recognition is an empty pursuit. That is why any praise that I may get on this earth needs to be reflected back to the One who alone is worthy of glory and honor and power.

"Glory to God forever."