August 1, 2017 - - Revelation 1:5-6

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a
kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and
ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:5c-6 ESV

Jesus, the Lamb of God, Who by His crucifixion on the cross bore God's just punishment against our sins, is the One Who loves us and freed us from our sins. Jesus rose from the dead and is seated at the Father's right hand. He is our High Priest--He is praying for us before the Father in heaven.

Those who believe in Jesus and follow Him are priests. As Jesus' priests we renounce sin. As priests, who are such in the power of the Holy Spirit, we offer the parts of our body as instruments of righteousness. As priests in Jesus' Name
we pray for those around us. We pray for those caught in sin that they may be set free. We pray for those who do not know Jesus that they will taken from darkness to light. As priests who know Jesus we bring praise to the Father in heaven. He has chosen us for Himself before the world was created. The Father
loves us and in Jesus has given us every good gift, so our hearts and words and lives bring praise to the Father.

And note well that Jesus, by His resurrection, is gathering a kingdom. The
Spirit is given to believers so that in Jesus' Name we have the moral authority
to judge the world. The followers of Jesus are set free to follow Him, to live
according to the boundary lines set down in Scripture. The world follows Satan,
the Father of lies. The world cannot be neutral or benign. Jesus our King is
restraining the full effects of humanity's sinful rebellion until the full
number of the saints is brought into His Kingdom. Speak the truth about sin and
its consequences. Do not fear what the world can do, our King is reigning and
praying for us and wields the sword of justice which is gaining the victory. The
Day of Judgment will reveal Jesus' complete victory. Glory be to the Father,
Glory be to the Son and Glory be to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Spirit of Truth grant believers to have the eyes of faith so that the victory of
Jesus Christ will be clear to us. Jesus forgive the times we have been
half-hearted soldiers and wavering witnesses. Spirit of Power renew in us the
courage necessary to follow Jesus in all things. Spirit, Who convicts men of
sin, make us bold as witnesses for Jesus so that we will speak to those around
us who are wallowing in the latrine of this world's rottenness and sin. Father
in heaven, thank You that You have revealed glimpses of You glory through the
Bible and shown the radiance of Your glory in Jesus the Savior. Triune God,
preserve Your kingdom of priests in these tumultuous times until the Day when
Your glory will be fully revealed. Amen.