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Wednesday February 4 - Jesus’ radiant rainbow
The one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby... a rainbow that shone like an emerald. Revelation 4:3
Jasper and ruby are beautiful red stones that symbolically reflect God’s holiness and perfection. They are in the set of twelve stones on the high priest’s breastplate mentioned in Exodus 28:17-21, and remind the people of God‘s faithfulness in his covenant promise with them. The emerald rainbow symbolises majesty, glory and divinity. The first rainbow mentioned in the Bible is the one in the story of Noah, after the flood, and is given as a sign of God’s faithfulness in his promises.
So when John writes to a suffering people who know the stories of Noah and the high priests, describing Jesus with jasper, ruby and emerald rainbows, he is not only describing beauty, but connecting their historical memory with the hope of God’s good and faithful promises. They fully understand the symbolism! This rainbow shines forth from Jesus himself – he himself is the faithfulness of God!
Have you ever doubted one of God’s promises to you? If you are dealing with the frustration of waiting for God to fulfil a promise to you, cast your eyes towards Jesus on the throne. When we see our King who is truly good, we can hold on to his promises with greater strength.
Lord Jesus, thank you that your faithfulness is greater than my frustration. Help me to focus on you in my trials. Amen.
Thursday February 5 - Crown him with many crowns
The 24 elders fall down before him... lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy...” Revelation 4:10-11
There are many interpretations as to who these 24 elders represent, but today let’s focus on the fact that, whoever they are, they cast their crowns before Jesus. This is an act of recognition that all power belongs to him.
In our world, access to global disasters, through news and social media, can be overwhelming. Many of us know people personally affected by wars and international power struggles all over the world, and even if we don’t know anyone personally, watching the news play out on our screens can be overwhelming and devastating. Sometimes it is so overwhelming that we even become numb to it, because we feel so powerless to know how to respond at a distance.
Here in Revelation we see exactly what will happen to all power – it will all be handed over to Jesus! There are a number of worship songs that use the phrase ‘crown him with many crowns’. Did you know that that image refers back to this passage? As we worship we acknowledge that all power does and will belong to him!
As you pray for the nations, be reassured that Jesus holds all power and all authority, and every national leader will cast down their crown before him.
Lord Jesus, please stand with authority over war and power struggles. Please bring your justice and your peace. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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