Beholding

Have you ever felt like you've been away from something for so long that it's hard to know how to come back to it? That's how Johan, the host of the Beholding podcast, felt when he returned to his podcast after a hiatus. But he's excited to be back and to try something new with the podcast's format. "Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference." - Max Lucado In this episode, Johan starts by taking a moment to prepare his listeners' hearts and minds to receive what God has for them. He invites them to find a quiet space, free from distractions, and to take a deep breath, giving the Lord their worries, fears, and distractions. He then leads them in prayer, asking that God would speak through his word and reveal more about himself to them. Johan then turns to Revelation 8 to 13, and reads aloud from the passage. As he reads, he encourages his listeners to engage with the Lord in what he's saying in the passage, and to later list the things that they've heard from him. He then highlights one thing that stands out to him in the passage: the absolute sovereignty of God. He notes that even in the midst of devastating and awe-inspiring events triggered by an angel's action, God is not only in control of these events, but He is also using them to accomplish His purposes. And even in the midst of judgment, there is a redemptive purpose at work. Johan takes away from the passage that we can be assured that God is in control, and that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, we can trust that He is working all things together for our good and that His plans and purposes will ultimately prevail. Johan then encourages his listeners to read the passage on their own and ask the Lord to reveal his heart to them. He reminds them that the Beholding podcast is a canvas, and the painting is an ever-expanding portrait of Jesus. He invites them to come with him on this long journey endeavoring to find out what God is like using the Scriptures as his roadmap. In this episode of Beholding, Johan invites his listeners to take the time to behold God together, to engage with His word, and to allow Him to reveal more about Himself to them. It's a reminder that even in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, we can trust in God's sovereignty and know that His plans and purposes will ultimately prevail." Visit: https://beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

God is not only the Greatest of all beings but the Best. All the goodness there is in any creature has been imparted from the Creator, but God’s goodness is underived, for it is the essence of His eternal nature. -Arthur W. Pink Hey everyone, Welcome to Beholding, I am Johan and I am so happy you joined me.   Before we get into the good stuff let’s get all the info out of the way so that at the end of this podcast you can use that time to connect with the Lord’s heart without distractions. First of all, follow, share the podcast…all those nice things that help spread the word.    You can support my ministry as well as the podcast by heading over to beholding.ca Last episode we read through the beautiful prophesy at the end of Revelation 7. About the over-comers and those that came out of the tribulation. God wipes every tear from their eyes and washes their robes in white to come and serve Him day and night in the temple. This week we move on to Revelation 8 where we wrap up the discourse on the 7 seal judgments.  So here we go Revelation 8:1-5 The Passage When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings,[a] flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. The List: 1. He is The Lamb  2. (the lamb) opens the seventh seal 3. There are moments of silence in heaven  4. There is a measurement of time in heaven 5. There are seven angels that stand before God 6. The Lord distributes trumpets to his angels 7. There is an angel with a censor before the altar  8. That angel uses the censor to offer our prayers as incense to God 9. Our prayers rise like incense and smoke before God  10. There is fire on the heavenly altar 11. He assigns an angel to throw fiery judgements to the earth  12. Our prayers stir up the Lord to release judgments You are the Lamb  You (the lamb) open the seventh seal There are seven angels that stand before you You distribute trumpets to his angels You place an angel with a censor before the altar  That angel uses the censor to offer our prayers as incense to you Our prayers rise like incense and smoke before you There is fire on your heavenly altar You assign angels to throw fiery judgements to the earth  Our prayers stir up your heart to release judgments Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

We are back this October! Got some ideas or thoughts as we approach the relaunch? johan@beholding.ca visit us at: beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

The God of Israel is sometimes a God who hides Himself, but never a God who absents Himself; sometimes in the dark, but never at a distance. -Matthew Henry Last week we were in the second session of Revelation 7. We read about the multitude before His throne, the diversity of people worshiping before Him from every nation, tribe, tongue. This week we finish off Revelation 7 with verses 13-17 The Passage Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God,     and serve him day and night in his temple;     and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;     the sun shall not strike them,     nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,     and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” The List He allows the elders initiate conversation The great multitude that is before his throne from every tribe, tongue and nation are the ones that have come out of the great tribulation He washes those from the tribulation in his blood Those he washes in blood makes them white and pure Those who come out of the great tribulation have the privilege of being before His throne, serving God day and night in the heavenly temple He shelters the overcomers with his presence Those who came out of the tribulation shall no longer hunger thirst or be struck by the scorching sun The lamb is in the midst of the throne The lamb will shepard those that came out of the great tribulation The lamb will guide the overcomers to the springs of living water God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of those that came out of the tribulation The Declarations You allow the elders initiate conversation before your throne Those who came out of tribulation are before your throne You wash those from the tribulation in your blood Your washing blood makes us white and pure Those who come out of the great tribulation have the privilege of being before your throne, serving you day and night in the heavenly temple You shelter the overcomers with your presence Those who came out of the tribulation shall no longer hunger thirst or be struck by the scorching sun You are the lamb and you are in the midst of the throne You, the lamb will shepard those that came out of the great tribulation You, the lamb will guide the overcomers to the springs of living water You will wipe away every tear from the eyes of those that came out of the tribulation Submit feedback or content:  website: beholding.ca email: johan@beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

“If grace perfects nature it must expand all our natures into the full richness of the diversity which God intended when He made them, and Heaven will display far more variety than Hell.” ― C.S. Lewis Last week we began going through Revelation 7 and how the Lord will seal 144,000 Jewish believers from each tribe and nation. This week we continue in the same passge moving to verse 9-12 The Passage After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 7:9-12 (ESV) The List There is a huge multitude of humans before his throne (he likes humans close to him) Heaven is multicultural He wants people before him that are froml every nation, tribe, people, and language He clothes those before him in white robes Those before him have palm branches The multitude before him all cry out in a loud voice “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” Salvation belongs to Him He sits on the throne He is the Lamb There are angels standing around his throne There are elders around his throne There are four living creatures around his throne The angels, elders and creatures fall on thier faces before Him The angels, elders and creatures say, ““Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might is attributed to God forever The Declarations There is a huge multitude of humans before your throne - You like humans close to you Heaven is multicultural. You want people before you that are from every nation, tribe, people, and language You clothe those before you in white robes Those before you have palm branches (like the great procession) The multitude before you all cry out in a loud voice “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” Salvation belongs to you You sit on the throne You are the Lamb There are angels standing around your throne There are elders around your throne There are four living creatures around your throne The angels, elders and creatures fall on their faces before you The angels, elders and creatures say to you, ““Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might is attributed to you forever Submit feedback or content:  website: beholding.ca  email: johan@beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

Revelation 7:1-8 The God of Israel is sometimes a God who hides Himself, but never a God who absents Himself; sometimes in the dark, but never at a distance. -Matthew Henry Last week we touched on the 5th and 6th seal judgements. We see God’s sovereignty over the sky and it’s hosts. We know there will be a number of martyrs crying out for the Lord to avenge the shedding of their blood. And he responds, he is stirred by this and it is manifested in his end time judgements. This week move along in this great end-time story line as we read about the 144,000 sealed jewish believers. In Revelation 7:1-8 The Passage After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,  12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. The List: You assign four angels to hold back the four winds and to harm the earth and sea You dispatch an angel with the seal of the living God from the sun to instruct the four angels holding back the four winds There is a seal of the living God  The angel with the seal has a loud voice The angel with the seal instructs the four angels with power to not harm the earth or sea, or trees until God seals 144,000 jewish believers He will put a seal on foreheads God will seal and protect 144,000 jewish believers from each tribe of Israel The Declarations: You assign angels for your end time purposes You will assign angels to bring harm to the earth and sea as part of your plan You will send angels to hold back the wind from blowing on the earth You are the living God, and you have a seal with that name on it that you give to jewish believers You dispatch an angel from the sun to instruct the four angels You make assignments and involve angels in the process You give angels loud voices You will seal and bring divine protection to 144,000 jewish believers from each historic tribe. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

Revelation 6:9-17 The fact is you cannot talk about the love of God. The love of God has no meaning whatsoever unless you understand the judgment of God that all of us deserve. -Robert Jeffress Last week we began going through the 7 seal judgements of God, the unveiling of God’s battle plan and the riders of the 4 horses. We got through the first four seals which we read were announced by the four living creatures. This week we get the next two seal judgements and then a break in judgments found in Revelation 6:9-17 The Passage When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. Revelation 6:9-17 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” The List: There are souls of martyrs under the altar in heaven The fifth seal releases intercession in heaven crying out for justice through those that have been martyred He gives white robes to those that have been martyred He is sovereign He is holy and true The shedding of blood for His sake stirs up his heart God allows and knows how many are going to be killed for the witness of the gospel There is a tipping point of the number of saints he will allow to be martyred He uses earthquakes as a means of judgment He will darken the sun He will cause the moon to be blood red He will cause stars (also translated asteroids) to fall from the sky He causes the sky to roll up like a scroll  He will cause mountains and Islands to be removed from their place His judgements will strike fear into the hearts of leaders and people of influence in all streams of society His judgments are so great that unbelievers will cry out for death to come upon them His judgements seem unbearable to unbelievers The Declarations: You have a space under your altar where the martyrs dwell in heaven Your judgements cause intercession of the martyrs in heaven You give those who have been killed for your sake a white robe Those that are martyred declare your sovereignty  Those that are martyred declare you holy and true (and we agree) The shedding of the blood of your saints stirs up your heart, you respond You know every person, the perfect amount of those that are to be slain for your sake You have a number of martyrs in mind before you avenge their blood You bring earthquakes as a form of judgment on the earth You have authority over the sun, stars and everything in the sky, you will cause fearful things to happen in the sky in the day of judgement You will remove mountains and Islands from their place Your judgements will strike fear into the hearts of leaders and people of influence in all streams of society Your judgments are so great that unbelievers will cry out for death to come upon them Your judgements seem unbearable to unbelievers Submit feedback or content:  website: beholding.ca  email: johan@beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

“God's wrath, properly, is an aspect of his love: it is because God loves human beings with a steady, unquenchable passion that he hated Apartheid, that he hates torture and cluster bombs, that he loathes slavery, that his wrath is relentless against the rich who oppress the poor. If God was not wrathful against these and so many other distortions of our human vocation, he is not loving. And it is his love, determining to deal with that nasty, insidious, vicious, soul-destroying evil, that causes him to send his only, special son.”  ― N.T. Wright Last week we finished up Revelation 5 where all of the created order shouted out the worthiness of Jesus and the slain lamb. This week we move on to Revelation 6, the seven seals. We must remember that the book of Revelation is about revealing Jesus, so hard or easy passages…they should all lead to us knowing the son better than we do. Here in Revelation 6 I like how Mike Bickle describes this as Jesus battle plan. With all the chaos and things that could be deemed scary, we know the end of the story, Jesus wins. And may he do what he needs to do to accomplish that purpose. We will start with Revelation 6:1-8 The Passage Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius,and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth. The List: The lamb is the one opening the seven seal judgements on the earth He assigns one of the four living creatures to announce the first judgment He gives authority (a crown) to this rider on a white horse with a bow to conquer (Anti-Christ’s Politcal aggression) He assigns another one of the four living creatures to announce the second judgment He gives permission to the rider on the red horse to take peace from the earth (war, world war) He assigns another one of the four living creatures to announce the third seal judgment The rider on the black horse with scales in his hand brings economic crisis and famine He assigns the fourth living creature to announce the fourth seal judgment The rider on the pale horse whose name Death and Hades followed with him was given power to kill ¼ of the earth’s population with swords, hunger and beasts. The Declarations: Jesus you are the slain lamb that is opening the seals on the scroll and releasing judements You assign one of the living creatures to announce the first seal You will give authority (a crown) to this rider on a white horse with a bow to conquer You assign the second living creature to announce the second judgment You will give permission to the rider on the red horse to take peace from the earth (war, world war) You assign a third living creature to announce the third seal judgment You allow rider on the black horse bring economic crisis and famine You assign the fourth living creature to announce the fourth seal judgment You permit the rider on the pale horse to kill ¼ of the earth’s population with swords, hunger and beasts. Submit feedback or content:  website: beholding.ca  email: johan@beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

“God’s heavenly dwelling place represents the environment that God enjoys to live in. God’s desire is that places of this type would spring up all across this planet and that people would exercise the same zeal for that as David did. God’s plan is that this heavenly reality would be released here on earth, for even down here it’s worship that creates a dwelling place for Him.” ― Benjamin Schäfer Last week we read about the slain lamb that ransomed a people for God. This week we continue on with this story line in Revelation 5:11-14 The Passage Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. The List: The voices of thousands upon thousands of angels are around your throne The angels speak in a loud voice and say the same thing The angels call the slain lamb worthy to receive the following…and therefore we agree that He is worthy: To receive power To receive wealth To receive wisdom To receive might To receive honor To receive glory To receive blessing Every creature in all of created order will declare, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever” The four living creatures say “Amen” (Let it be so) in response to this The Elders in heaven fall down and worship Him The Declarations: There are thousands upon thousands of angels around your throne The angels shout in loud voices The angels that are forever in your presence declare the slain lamb to receive many things and we agree that you are worthy to recieve All power All wealth All wisdom All might All honor All glory All blessing Every creature in all of created order will declare to you the lamb who is sitting on the throne…be blessing glory and might forever and ever. The four living creatures who speak night and day of your holiness agree The elders respond in worship, falling at your feet Submit feedback or content:  website: beholding.ca  email: johan@beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

If I ever reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there first, to meet some I had not thought to see their second, to miss some I had expected to see there and third, the greatest wonder of all, to find myself there. - John Newton Last week we started in Revelation 5, and we read about Jesus being the only one worthy in all of created order to open the sealed scroll. This week we continue on that same story line of the scroll in Revelation 5:9-11 and we seek to find out what God reveals about himself in this passage. The Passage  And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll   and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God   from every tribe and language and people and nation,  and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,   and they shall reign on the earth.” The List: There is a slain Lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures The lamb has seven horns and seven eyes (representative of the seven spirits of God) There are seven spirits of God The Seven spirits of God are sent out to the whole earth The lamb is able to take the scroll from the one on the throne The four living creatures and 24 elders bow before the lamb The four living creatures and 24 elders are musical, having harps and singing The four living creatures and 24 elders hold golden bowls of incense that represent the prayers of the saints The four living creatures and 24 elders are songwriters and sing in heaven The lamb is worthy to take the scroll and open the seals The lamb was slain and ransomed people for God  The lamb’s people are from every tribe tongue, people and nation The lamb has made people, priests to God He will people kingship The Declarations: You stand between the throne and the four living creatures You are a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes You have seven spirits that are sent out to the whole earth You take the scroll from the hand of the one sitting on the throne in heaven The four living creatures and 24 elders bow before you The four living creatures and 24 elders play music and sings songs to you You are the lamb is worthy to take the scroll and open the seals You are the lamb that was was slain and ransomed people for God  You were slain for people from every tribe, tongue, people and nation You have made people priests to be before God You will make us kings to rule on the earth Submit feedback or content:johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

When we are on the beach we only see a small part of the ocean. However, we know that there is much more beyond the horizon. We only see a small part of God's great love, a few jewels of His great riches, but we know that there is much more beyond the horizon. The best is yet to come, when we see Jesus face-to-face. Corrie Ten Boom Last week we finished Revelation 4, what I call the fascination litmus test. John’s encounter in heaven continues in Revelation 5, we will be looking at verses 1-5. This is the first part of a story line involving the scroll. The Passage  Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Now keep in mind the mystery of heaven, we don’t know how this all works with time and space…John saw it, in it’s context, it is describing a future event when he breaks the seven seals and sets in to motion the final events of this current age. This is again just a note and not a detailed study into that. The List: He holds a sealed scroll in his right hand, with writing front and back He sits on a throne  He has announcing angels with loud voices From this throne room, there is mysterical access to see what’s going on in heaven, on earth and under the earth (Take note, this is not a flat earth reference, I don’t condone that theology) There is only one person in all created order that is worthy to open this scroll. The elders in heaven are able to respond to what is happening in the throne room He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (this literally means he still gives himself ties to the earth and a human bloodline) He is the root of David He has conquered He is worthy to open the scroll and it’s seven seals The Declarations: You hold a scroll in your right hand You sit enthroned in heaven You’ve created powerful announcing angels with loud voices  You access from your throne room the goings on in all of your created order Only one is able to open the scroll The elders around your throne respond, they are real, they interact with saints You are the Lion of the tribe of Judah, you keep and acknowledge your human bloodline and ties to the earth You are the root of David You have conquered and therefore  You Jesus are the only one in all of heaven, earth and under the earth that is worthy to open the scroll and it’s seven seals Submit feedback or content: johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

Beauty, then, is not mere decoration, but rather an essential element of the liturgical action, since it is an attribute of God himself and his revelation. These considerations should make us realize the care which is needed, if the liturgical action is to reflect its innate splendour.  Pope Benedict XVI Last week we got descriptions of what precede and what is before the throne including the descriptions of the four living creatures and how they never stop saying the glorious Trisaigon chorus. Holy Holy Holy is the Lord god almighty, who was and is and is to come. So today we wrap up Revelation 4 with verse 9-11 The Passage And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,   to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,   and by your will they existed and were created.” The List: The Four living creatures give God glory The four living creatures give God thanks He is seated on the throne He lives forever and ever The twenty-four elders fall down before him who’s on the throne The twenty-four elders worship him He lives forever and ever The twenty-four elders cast their crowns before him  The twenty four elders say ““Worthy are you, our Lord and God,to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Jesus is worthy to receive Glory Jesus is worthy to receive honor Jesus is worthy to receive power Jesus created all things Jesus’s will caused things to exist and be created The Declarations: The four living creatures around your throng give you glory and thanks Jesus you are seated on the throne Jesus you are alive and live forever and ever The twenty-four elders around your throne fall before you in worship and adoration You live forever and ever The twenty-four elders cast down their crowns before you The twenty four elders cry out““Worthy are you, our Lord and God,to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Jesus you alone are worthy to receive Glory Jesus you're worthy to receive honor Jesus you're worthy to receive power Jesus you created all things By your will, your good pleasure Jesus, all things exist and were created Jesus’s will caused things to exist and be created Submit feedback or content:johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

It does not seem proper to speak of one attribute of God as being more central and fundamental than another; but if this were permissible, the Scriptural emphasis on the holiness of God would seem to justify its selection.  Louis Berkhof Last week we started of the glorious passage that reveals aspects of the heavenly throne room. We did verse 1-4 focusing on who and what is on and around the throne. This week we look at 5-8 focusing on what precedes and what’s before the throne (again not a perfect separation). So today we focus on Revelation 4:5-8. This is another really big one with 21 attributes that I listed The Passage From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” The List: From the throne comes flashes of lightning From the throne comes rumblings and peals of thunder Before the throne are seven lit torches of fire  There are seven spirits of god The seven spirits of God are the seven torches around his throne Before his throne is a sea of glass or crystal Around and on each side of the throne are four living creatures - Now in describing the creatures I am convinced it says something about who he is and what he’s like so we will list the creatures descriptions The four creatures are full of eyes, in front in the behind The first living create is like a lion (some translations say the head of a lion) The second like an ox The third like a man The fourth like an eagle The four living creatures each have six wings The four living creatures are full of eyes around and within The four living creatures do not rest day or night The four living creatures never stop saying “Holy, Holy, Is the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come” Therefore: The Lord is Holy The Lords is the almighty The Lord was The Lord is The Lord is to come The Declarations: From your throne come flashes of lightning with the sound of rumbling thunder Before your throne there seven blazing torches of fire which are your seven spirits Before your throne is an expanse, a sea of glass reflecting the sights around you Around your throne there are four living creatures with eyes all around, one like an lion, one like an ox, one like a man, and one like an eagle. All having six wings and eyes all around and within These mysterious creatures never stop, they never rest and never cease to say “Holy, Holy, Is the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come Jesus you are is Holy You are almighty God You were there in the beginning You are there now And you are coming back here! Submit feedback or content: johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

It is a most delightful reflection that if I come to the throne of God in prayer, I may feel a thousand defects, but yet there is hope. I usually feel more dissatisfied with my prayers than with anything else I do.  Charles Spurgeon Last week we finished off the seven letters to the churches found in Revelation 2-3. This week we move on to a really big passage. In my opinion this is the litmus test of our dullness towards who God is. We are entering the very throne room in heaven in the chapters ahead. This one is difficult to break up into a few episodes, but I will do my best attempt. Verses 1-4 has it’s focus, on the throne and around the throne, 5-8 focuses on what comes from the throne and whats before the throne (this isn’t a perfect separation). So today we focus on revelation 4:1-4 The Passage After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. Revelation 4:1-4 (ESV) The List: There is door standing open in heaven His voice sounds like a trumpet (one of his voices) He extends invitations to come up into the throne room He reveals future events There is a throne in heaven He is seated on the throne He has the appearance of jasper and carnelian Around his throne there is an emerald rainbow Around his throne there are 24 other thrones Around his throne are 24 seated elders with white garments and gold crowns The Declarations: There is an open door in heaven Your voice sounds like a trumpet and beacons me to to come through that door into the holy place There is a throne, a ruling center in heaven You call us into your throne room to speak about things to come You are seated on your throne You have the appearance of jasper and carnelian There is a emerald rainbow encircling the throne where you are seated Around your throne are seated 24 elders on thrones, white garments and gold crown Submit feedback or content: beholding.ca or johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

Just the privilege of fellowship with God is infinitely more than any thing that God could give. When he gives himself he is giving more than anything else in the universe.  Frank Laubach Last week we got personal. Weread about how he desires us to gain wealth through the things he gives, not what we can produce on our own. And how Jesus disciplines or reproves those he loves. This week we are Finishing off chapter 3 the letter to Laodecia and we are finishing his letters to the seven churches we Revelation chapter 3 verses 20-22 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:20-22 (ESV) The List: He wants us to be aware that he is knocking at the door  He stands behind a door  He knocks on doors  He speaks from behind the door He will commune with those that open the door for him He wants to dine with us The Lord eats If we conquer we will sit with him on his throne He sits on a throne He has conquered He sits with the Father on his throne The Father sits on a throne He wants us to hear what the Spirit says to the churches The spirit is speaking to the church The Declarations: You want us to be aware that you’re behind that door Behind the door you stand, knock and wait for us You speak from behind the door, loud enough for us to hear You stand waiting to come in and feast with us You desire to dine with us at a table of food If we conquer or overcome, we will sit with you and your father on your throne You desire for us to hear what you are speaking to your church Song: Dine With Me This one thing I ask One thing I desire Is to be with you II just want to be with you God Because a thousand elsewhere Is not as good So I'm setting myself Before you Lord To meet with You To dine with You To agree with Your heart To hear what You're saying To gaze upon your beauty To spend time with You Submit feedback or content: beholding.ca or johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

When we preach the love of God there is a danger of forgetting that the Bible reveals not first the love of God but the intense, blazing holiness of God, with His love at the center of that holiness. Oswald Chambers Last week we started reading the letter to the church of Laodicea. How Jesus wants us hot or cold, not lukewarm. This week we are moving on the the church of Laodicea, with Revelation chapter 3 verses 17-19 The Passage You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:17-19 (ESV) The List: He sees through us, when we prop ourselves up with identities of being rich He sees through us when we say we are in need of nothing He sees us for what we are in this state as wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked He is a helps us out of this state He is a counselor He asks us to buy refined gold from him to be rich He asks us to buy white clothes from him so we are not shamed or naked He asks us to buy salve from him to cleanse our eyes to see He rebukes and disciplines those he loves He wants us to be earnest and repent The Declarations: You see through us, when we call ourselves rich and think we have anything apart from you, being our own dependants But you see right through us, you see our weakness when we say we are in need of nothing Without your true riches we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked But you are the way out You Jesus are a counselor You ask me to buy true pure gold from you, refined in the fire To buy pure spotless clothing from you, covering my shame and nakedness You have salve to purify my sight, that I may see clearly You rebuke and discipline those you love You want us to repent, and be eager to pursue holiness Submit feedback or content: johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

When people think about 'thinking,' they often think 'academia;' they think 'threat.' They think 'coldness.' I want to reverse all those images and say, 'No, the brain God gave you is intended to throw fuel on the fire of your affections for God. It's really good at it if you let it.'  -John Piper Last week we finished off the Church in Philadelphia. How the Lord makes the ones who are victorious, pillars in his temple. This week we are moving on the the church of Laodicea, with Revelation chapter 3 verses 14-16 The Passage And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.  “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:14-16 (ESV) The List: He sends angels to the churches He is the Amen (or the firm, perfection) He is the true and faithful witness He is the beginning of God’s creation He knows our works He see when we are hot or cold in our faith He sees when we are lukewarm in our faith He wants us to be hot or cold He will spew those that are lukewarm out of his mouth The Declarations: You send angels, messengers to your church You are the Amen, the perfection, the one who is firm and established You are the true and faithful witness You are the beginning of God’s creation You see and know all of our works, all that we do You see when we are hot and cold, when we are burning brightly with faith, and you see when we are cold in the desolate place of weakness and desire faith You see when we are lukewarm, when we profess your name be it holds no action or no heart You desire that we would be hot or cold You will spew the lukewarm out of your mouth Submit feedback or content: johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

The goodness of God is the life of the believer’s trust. It is this excellency in God which most appeals to our hearts. Because His goodness endureth forever, we ought never to be discouraged. -Arthur W. Pink The Passage The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' Revelation 3:12-13 (ESV) The List: He will make the victorious ones pillars in God’s sanctuary  He will write on the victorious the name of God and the name of the city of God-the New Jerusalem God has a city, the New Jerusalem God’s city will descend out of heaven. God’s city is in heaven To the victorious Jesus will write his name on us His Spirit speaks to whosever heart is open He is specific and ask us to listen carefully to get the message right (You care that the message is clear and right) His Spirit is speaking to the churches The Declarations: You will make us pillars in the temple of God if we are victorious You will write the name of God, His city - the New Jerusalem, and Jesus you will write your name on us if we are victorious.  You have a city, the New Jerusalem there in the sky, but it will come down from heaven to rest on the earth. You speak to open hearts and ask us to listen carefully. It’s important to you that the message is heard and conveyed with clarity and understanding. https://beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

Though God may suffer His people to fall into sin, He will not suffer His people to lie still in sin.  -Matthew Henry The Passage: Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  Revelation 3:10-11 (ESV) The List: I’m going to state an obvious one, Jesus has commands for his church. There are rewards for those that keep Jesus’ commands Those obedient to his commands he will keep (or another word you could use is “protect” in the hour of trial He is going to allow a time of trial to come on the whole earth He allows trial to test inhabitants of the earth He tests (to me this also means that he is involved and cares) He is coming soon He desires that we would hold on to what we have (or the righteous things) He gives us crowns (as you will see in another translation you can use the term, “crown of victory”. He will allow our crowns he gives to be taken The Declarations: You have commands for your church There are rewards you have in store for us when we keep your commands If we are obedient you will protect me from great trial that is ahead for the whole earth. You will preserve me. You will allow times of trials, even for the whole earth.  You test us. Jesus, you are coming soon You desire for us to hold on and cling to the good things, the righteous things You distribute crowns, you give us victory You allow our crowns to be taken if we don’t cling to what is good and righteous. Visit beholding.ca Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content

“Because I am a Christian, therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God's Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me. I can only move forward with certainty upon the firm ground of the Word of God. And, as a Christian, I learn to know the Holy Scriptures in no other way than by hearing the Word preached and by prayerful meditation.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer Last week we we continued in the Church of Sardis found in Revelation 3:4-6 We learned how the Lord will acknowledge us before the father and his angels if we remain faithful and pure, overcoming the world. This week we are moving on to verse 7-9, Where The Lord is sending his messenger to deliver the letter to the church in Philadelphia. The Passage:  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.  “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Revelation 3: 7-9 (ESV) The List: He sends messengers/angels to the church He is the holy one He is the true one He has the key of David  He opens doors that no one opens, and shuts what no one shuts He knows our works (all that we’ve done) He sets before us open doors (that no one can shut) He knows how powerless we are He acknowledges those who have remained faithful though they are powerless Those who falsely proclaim to be Jew’s, he categorizes as in the synagogue of satan. He humbles those who falsely proclaim to be Jews  He loves the church that recognizes his chosen people and the unrighteous will know it The Declarations: You send messengers to your church You are the holy one You are the true one You have the key of David You open doors no one else opens You close doors no one else closes You set before us open doors You know and see everything we do, You know and see our weakness and how powerless we are Yet you acknowledge us when we remain faithful, even in our weakness You are committed to your Jewish people and the promises, you will not let your people be compromised Visit the website: beholding.ca Submit feedback or content: beholding.ca johan@beholding.ca Premium feed to support the show and get future music and bonus content sent right to your podcast player as an episode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beholding/exclusive-content