FBC Daily Devotions

Read Revelation 19:9-10.

We hear a lot of good things shared from the Scriptures from many a pulpit, the classroom, a Bible study, and many informal settings. Good teaching, preaching, and encouragement from the Word of God is always refreshing, rejuvenating, and inspiring. That is especially true when we experience “aha” moments or when our hearts are struck with truth that speaks into our lives as if it was meant for only for us. I think John may have been so moved by the truth of the angel’s words (“These are the true words of God.” v. 9), that he fell to the ground to worship the messenger angel. Have you ever experienced that or seen others “worship” the messenger?

The messenger is merely a fellow servant of his hearers. It is a dangerous matter to put our great orators and teachers on pedestals because it puts far too much emphasis on that leader. While their place in the body of Christ is of utmost importance, it is not healthy for the messenger or his or her hearers to raise them to a level of near worship. Sometimes I hear people talk of great teachers with such awe that I am left to wonder how much they really know this person. As someone has said, “we all put our pants on one leg at a time.” No one walks on water but Jesus Christ. If anything, Peter’s failed attempt is a witness of our own inability to rise to the level of Christ, and it certainly speaks of our inability to do anything apart from Him.

Accordingly, our focus is to be on the Word – Jesus Christ, who is the “spirit” or essence of prophecy. Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of God’s message to us. As one commentator has noted:

“In many respects the scene which now follows, namely, the second coming of Christ, is not only the high point of the book of Revelation, but in many respects the high point of all history. Here is the manifestation of the Son of God in glory, the demonstration of the sovereignty of God, and the beginning of the end of human rebellion. How poverty-stricken is any Christian theology which minimizes the second coming of Christ and how limited the Christian hope which does not include this glorious climax to God’s announced program of exalting His Son and putting all creation under His control.”

The message is Jesus Christ. Lord, help us to seek the subject of the message and not the messenger! Help us desire the greater message of Jesus Christ, and may His Word be the essence of the words that proceed from our lips.

-Mike