Chapter 13

Christian Education Pre-K-12
Richmond Academy

Chapter 13

THE EXALTED CHRIST

(Rev 5 KJV) "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. {2} And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? {3} And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. {4} And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. {5} And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. {6} And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of him God sent forth into all the earth. {7} And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. {8} 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 odours, which are the prayers of saints. {9} And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; {10} And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. {11} And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; {12} Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. {13} And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. {14} And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped that liveth for ever and ever."

There are three songs representing all creatures in heaven. All speak about the eternal greatness of God.

3 Songs of Worship in HEAVEN:

Holy

Majestic

Eternal

The first two were found in chapter 4 of Revelation. In

chapter 5 we have the third song. A new song. The eternal song. Who is the worthy one able to complete the plan for mankind? First, in Rev. 6 we see who it is that is able to open and loose the seals -- Jesus. He is the one that is in complete control of all that is going on in the universe, even the destructive forces. He alone decides when and to whom destruction or blessing come. If Jesus is Lord of our lives, then we do not have to fear anything that happens. A perfect calm will protect the people of God during great conflicts in life. Isn't everything we are learning to bring us to this place? Conflict is how Job could overcome cursing God when adversity came. Conflict is the sign of what kind of faith we possess or what kind of fear we possess. Conflict also is a sign of what we place our value system in. Are you placing your value in the stock market, in your company or in the Living Lamb of God? [This may not affect you right now, but it will when the economy is shot.] You may not be experiencing this now, but I know in my heart everyone of us is tested with fears of some kind. But in every case we must be able to say "Jesus is Lord."

In Revelation 5:6 we see the only sacrifice that resurrected. No other sacrifice in the 2000 years between Abraham and Jesus came back alive and stayed alive. [There were 2000 years between Adam and Abram.] We cannot comprehend the perfect Lamb of God eternally marked in his hands, feet and side. [There were 2000 years between Jesus and NOW!]

Seven is the number of completion. John saw 7 horns and 7 eyes. His eyes speak of what He can see: discernment, knowledge, understanding, fear of the Lord, counsel, might, and truth. We serve and worship one who has complete knowledge of all things, all power and all authority. He is fully equipped with everything we need in order to live. The kind of living that is worth everything is offered in the life of REDEMPTION. Verse 9 - the song of eternity for human beings will be the song of redemption.

Redemption = brought back as a result of a purchase

Jesus did not just save you, He is taking you home-- out of slavery into worship and liberty!

"Redemption" in the New Testament was the same term as "kinsman" in the Old Testament. The first time we see this redemption is when the children of Israel came out of Egypt. He spared all the firstborn of His people. (Exo 13:2 KJV) "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine." Why? Because he bought them. He already paid the price for them when they were spared. He said because of the blood, every firstborn of your people, as well as of the animals, is mine for all generations.

(Exo 13:3-15 KJV) "And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. {4} This day came ye out in the month Abib. {5} And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. {6} Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD. {7} Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. {8} And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. {9} And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. {10} Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. {11} And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, {12} That thou shall set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S. {13} And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. {14} And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: {15} And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem."

Redemption worked both ways. The Lord had every right to take what belonged to Him at once. But because of His awesome love for us, a sacrifice would be made of the animals so that we could keep our firstborn children. Thereby we would remember the greatness of God. God's plan of the ages with His people is for them to discover the greatness of God in the earth.

We learn about the price of kinsman redeemer in the book of Ruth chapter 4. Each tribe was guaranteed their portion of land forever. If hardship came into a family, they could sell or lease portions of their land, but only to members of the family. If a family member would not do this, that member was publicly shamed.

In Ruth, Elimelech and Naomi experienced such a problem, so they leased out their portion to family members and went to Moab. In the meantime, Elimelech dies, his two sons die, one being Ruth's husband. Ruth had no heirs. What happens to the land that belongs to her husband? It has to stay in the family of Elimelech. So if Ruth remarries, her firstborn would not have the name of her husband, but the name of her first husband. What is the point? God designed everything perfectly so people would not become greedy and try to buy up all the land. Look what happens today with divorce? The children are left without inheritance.

Boaz falls in love with Ruth, but he is not the nearest relative; so in chapter 4 he must go to the local court, the city gates, to redeem the property of Ruth. The nearest relative wanted the land but did not want Ruth because he did not want to share his inheritance with another man's son. So Boaz offers to buy the land and thus get Ruth for himself. He is called the Redeemer = revenger or deliverer.

Isn't this what Jesus did for us? He became one of us so He could have the right to buy us, purchase us, deliver us. Nothing in this life gives me the ability or right to do that for another human being, but Jesus can.

Not only did He buy us, but He also gave us back to live. When we receive Christ, we should by all rights die. That is how much He wants us. He gives us life now, today. The enemy doesn't want you to know that truth. He wants to keep your health, your joy, your peace. You have liberty, but do you live like it?

Redemption is more than salvation. It is deliverance. You get life and everything that it involves. Abundantly! If you lose this understanding, you will not go on during tribulation or testings. You have a right to healing, to joy, to live life to the fullest. You do not have to play Christianity. It is priceless, without value. And the more you put into redemption, the more value you will find. I do not know how to do that, but He has all the eyes to give me the understanding or wisdom or whatever I need today. He also has all the power to sustain me while I am discovering what it will take to win the warfare which is strong against our carnal natures.

Have you lost your love? He has paid for you to have it. Have you lost patience to carry on? He has paid for you to have it. Have you lost the reason to live? He has paid for your life.

Redemption is why all creation will praise the Lord and cry forth with all the praise and worth of our eternal Savior. The Holy Spirit has been given to us only as earnest (Eph.1:13-14), a down payment of what will be ours. (Eph 1:14 KJV) "Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” The Amplified Bible says the Spirit is our guarantee of our redemption. This is why we must not grieve, quench, or resist Him. This is why I want Him operating every day of my life.

What has He redeemed on the cross that you do not possess? Why do you not ?

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