December 15 | “The Rest of the Story”
Revelation 5:6-14 (NIV)
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
For over 50 years, the eminent broadcaster, Paul Harvey did a segment on ABC Radio called “The Rest of the Story.” His emphatic, yet folksy, style enlivened the stories of real people, often with a quirky or intriguing reveal at the end.
As we celebrate the advent and birth of our Lord Jesus, with joyous gatherings of family and friends, we are reminded that advent is only the beginning of the story. His life, His ministry, His death, His resurrection are all vital chapters along the way.
A celebration of remembrance of the first advent, reminds us that we await the second advent as we worship the One who will soon return to redeem this lost and dying world. The One who is -
“…worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10 NIV
Aren’t you grateful that through all the trials of this present day, we have a worthy and risen Savior?
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” … “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:12-13 NIV
And so, we know “the rest of the story.”
Take a moment and praise Him where you are. Praise Him!
—Geoffrey and Marie Morris