Messes To Masterpieces

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8

There is something about this scripture in The Book of Revelation that makes one’s mind spin a few revolutions. Jesus is commonly understood by most Christians as being the Lamb of God. John the Baptist is recorded to reference Jesus by this phrase two times (Joh 1:29. 36). But the thought-provoking aspect is not that Jesus was the Lamb of God, but that Jesus was the Lamb “slain from the foundation” of the world. This lets us know that the concept of a Lamb was not an afterthought of God after creation. Rather this tells us the Lamb was at the forefront and the foundation God’s creation plan rested upon. This is worth looking into a little further.

Weakness In Heaven Brings Rebellion In Heaven

We have established the fact that even though God possesses great power and infinite understanding (Psa 147:5), yet in His foreknowledge he purposely built the foundation of creation upon weakness – a Lamb. Why? We will find out.

Before we begin, have you ever wondered why Lucifer thought he could overthrow the God of all power, dominion, and authority while in Heaven? The saying could be asked: “What on earth (in heaven?) was he (Lucifer) thinking? What could possibly have triggered in Lucifer’s mind to believe he could commandeer the angelic host, orchestrate a heavenly coup d’état, and attempt to unseat the great God of glory? Is this not a question one might want an answer to?

The nature of true love (God’s love) demands it refrain from controlling the one being loved.

Could it be that Lucifer perceived that God did not possess ABSOLUTE CONTROL in Heaven? And thereby, Lucifer saw a weakness in Heaven he could exploit. And his perception was indeed an accurate one.

The truth is, even though God has all authority in Heaven, he DID NOT possess full control in Heaven. How or why? Because God’s most stellar and endearing nature forbid him! The nature of true love (God’s love) demands it refrain from controlling the one being loved.

God in his infinite knowledge was willing to accept the risk of initially establishing Heaven upon weakness (as of a Lamb), a weakness caused by relinquishing His full control over the created spiritual beings he loves (angels and humankind – both possessing free choice), and willingly offer that power to us and the angels in a form we know as “free will”. God surrendered full control because love demanded him to do so. Such are the ways of true love.

And the kingdom of God has suffered setback after setback because of it. First in heaven caused by Lucifer’s rebellion and war in Heaven. Next, caused by the disobedience of God’s prized creations on earth, Adam and Eve. And the continuum of the collateral damage of death and sin by that disobedience has tainted God’s creation ever since. All the result of the inherent weakness caused by love, God’s love, and therefore, by God himself because He is love (I Jhn 4:8, 16).

Is this the “end of the story”? Well, actually it’s only the beginning.

Lucifer’s Downfall & Heaven’s Love Trap

Let’s rewind the tape a few millimeters. We have seen that God first established his creation upon a foundation of weakness (a Lamb). This weakness was perceived by God’s most powerful and glorious archangel as an opportunity to overthrow God’s authority in Heaven. Unbeknownst to Lucifer, God designed a secret weapon. It was a heavenly trap for any angelic being who would attempt to abuse the vulnerability caused by love through the agency of free will. And Lucifer fell right into the trap.

By thinking he could overthrow God, the Lord cast him out of Heaven and set the stage for his ultimate downfall thousands of years in the future that would be his total annihilation and eternal sentence of torment and agony (Rev 20:10). God would now unfold His most grandiose and glorious work of creation – the execution of God’s supreme future “power plan”. How? By A LAMB!

GOD’S POWER PERFECTED BY THE UNIMAGINABLE

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6  

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 

Nothing God does is wasted or without divine purpose, even for those things that appear to be failures and imperfections. God can take a catastrophe (as in Heaven and on Earth) and turn it into an opportunity to display His mighty power and glory.

God has all power in Heaven and on earth (1Chn 29:11; Jer 32:17, 52:15; Mat 24:30 & Rev 5:13). This in itself would be enough for him to exert his dominion and rule over all creation …… forcibly if he chooses to do so. But his nature, his nature to love and BE love forbid him. The infection of sin and death in God’s plan demanded a solution that could not rest on sheer power alone – the kind of magnificent power He displayed during creation and what we now witness (Psa 19:1; Rom 1:20).

God would need more than power to deal with the enemy of death (sin) along with its by-product, hell. He would need *perfected” power resting entirely on love and not power. And this perfected power could only come one way – through weakness:

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 

Enter God’s supreme “power plan”. What is this power plan? It’s the revelation of the One true God through the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ. Its purpose was to complete God’s perfected strength by coming to earth in flesh as the God-man Jesus Christ, shed his sinless blood on a cross, be raised back from the dead, glorified with eternal life, and exalted to sit on God’s right-hand (power position) in Heaven as the crowned King of King and Lord of Lords! Because God’s power is perfected only one way – through weakness.

The identity of perfect love opens the door to the revelation of the absolute deity in the person of Jesus Christ.

And there will never be any weakness displayed in all of creation more profound than when the God of all glory and power willingly laid down his life on a cruel wooden cross for lost sinners like me and like you.

And the discovery of the true source of love will reveal the true identity of God. The identity of perfect love opens the door to the revelation of the absolute deity in the person of Jesus Christ. For God is love.

The Lord perfected his power through the Lamb of God, the God-man, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Word made flesh (Joh 1:14), the express image of the living God (Heb 1:3), and the one who now sits on the throne in Heaven with all power and authority (Rev 1:8).

YOUR FAITH IS IMPORTANT TO GOD

Before closing, we must understand one thing. Your faith glorifies God. God will one day receive an inheritance from the glory given to him by a people who truly love and serve him according to His will. Is there scripture to back this claim?

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Romans 4:20

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:18

And all things that are mine are yours, and the things that are yours are mine, and I stand glorified in them. John 17:10

Yes, there is.

Never underestimate your value to God. IF your faithfulness, devotion, sacrifice, adoration, and love to and for Jesus was not valuable, then the devil’s sole mission to attack and destroy it would be directed elsewhere. Remember, at the core of the devil’s nature, the central motivator that consumes his hordes of cursed spirits is thievery – to steal God’s glory. He attempted it in Heaven and continues his MO on earth today.

The corner of the thief’s mouth oozes and dribbles with saliva at the thought of robbing you of the inheritance of the glory you give to God through your walk of faith, commitment, perseverance, and dedication to the One who loves you. Don’t let him. Resist the devil and he has no choice but to flee (Jas 4:7).

Blessings to You, In Jesus’ Name – Amen!

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12