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"True Worship" by Shawna Songer Gaines
Revelation 15:1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, a great and wonderful one — seven angels with the seven plagues that are the final ones; because with them, God’s fury is finished. 2 I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. Those defeating the beast, its image and the number of its name were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps which God had given them. 3 They were singing the song of Moshe, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and wonderful are the things you have done,
Adonai, God of heaven’s armies![Revelation 15:3 Amos 3:13, 4:13]
Just and true are your ways,
king of the nations!
4 Adonai, who will not fear and glorify your name?
because you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”
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Idolatry is the parody of worship. Parody makes a mockery of reality. Worship is the reality because God sits on the throne of heaven and earth and is worthy of praise. Idolatry is when we put anything other than God on that throne. Not only do we give power to one to whom it is not due, but we mock the Holy One.
Throughout the book of Revelation, the beast attempts to take the place of the One who sits on the thrown, trying to construct scenes of worship and reverence, to seal people with a mark, and to lord power over the earth. However, John’s vision reveals this is a cheap and passing imitation of the One who is and was and is to come.
The beast’s name might be greed, lust, allegiance, honor, pride, vanity. Each of these will only make a mockery of our lives. Their end has been revealed to us; all nations and people will bring glory to the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come.
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Hymn for Today: "Come, Thou Almighty King" by Anonymous
1. Come, thou almighty King,
help us thy name to sing,
help us to praise!
Father all glorious,
o'er all victorious,
come and reign over us, Ancient of Days!
2. Come, thou incarnate Word,
gird on thy mighty sword,
our prayer attend!
Come, and thy people bless,
and give thy word success,
Spirit of holiness, on us descend!
3. Come, holy Comforter,
thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
now rule in every heart,
and ne'er from us depart, Spirit of power!
4. To thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be,
hence, evermore.
Thy sovereign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity love and adore!
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Thought of the Day: Romans 12:1 I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical “Temple worship” for you.
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Please Pray: For the training of Christian leaders through extension in Africa.
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Please Pray: For the training of Christian leaders through extension in Africa.
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