Do we love the way someone teaches the word of God more than the word of God itself? Francis Chan sheds light on what being truly in love with God looks like, especially in environments where we don’t fully comprehend God’s glory.
Scripture References
1.Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
1.After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2.At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3.And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4.Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5.From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits4:5 That is, the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6.Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7.The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8.Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“ ‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’4:8 Isaiah 6:3
who was, and is, and is to come.”
15.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16.So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17.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. 18.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.19.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20.Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.21.
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22.Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
About the Contributor
New York Times bestselling author and pastor of Cornerstone Community Church View more from the Contributor.