Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb. (Rev. 14:1)
I can’t begin to imagine what the experience of God’s revelation while he was in exile on the island of Patmos was like for John. When I read the words that he penned about the things he saw and heard, I am often a little overwhelmed, and if I’m honest, maybe even a bit terrified—and I wasn’t even there! The various interpretations of John’s visions that he recorded in Revelation are so nuanced and even contradictory that I believe most people prefer to avoid reading this book of the Bible—maybe more than any other.
However, as I read through Revelation 14 today, the first sentence stood out to me in a way it never had before. John said that he saw the Lamb standing before him on Mount Zion. Can you even begin to imagine what feelings that must have evoked for John or what thoughts must have been racing through his mind? I can only dream of what that moment may have been like and the awe it must have evoked.
Sadly, the world we live in has stolen our awe for the Lamb. We allow small insignificant things to steal our wonder and worship when it should belong to him. Yet, one day we will get to experience this like John did. May we look forward to this day with much anticipation.
Take time today to be in God’s presence and be amazed.
Deborah Rhodes is colead pastor of Parkside Church in Greenville, SC. She is passionate about studying and teaching God’s Word.
© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
