Between - Revelation 5:6

Revelation 5:6 ESV 

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.

The Lamb is between the living creatures and the throne. This signifies that Jesus stands between mankind and God the Father. Israel is represented by the four living creatures which support His earthly throne, just as they camped around the tabernacle in the wilderness. He is our great high priest before the throne as our brother and mediator. All things have been given to Him. 

He is among the elders like He was in the midst of the lamp stands before the throne in the first of John's vision. (Rev 1:12-13).

We learned the elders have crowns as given to those who overcome the world. The Bride of Christ will serve as a royal priesthood by the side of the Lord. 

1 Peter 2:9-10

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The perfection of Christ, the light of God, has been loosed on the earth and the chains of bondage are falling to the ground around the world. 

We are with Him and He is with us. Once we were not and now we are. Mercy has come for us. 

A Sign

A sign of the true Church is the unity found in the Holy Spirit. Divisions and denominations are contrary to the gospel and testimony of Jesus Christ. Wherever you are, seek first the kingdom of heaven. That exists only in Christ. 

Foolish And Wise - Matthew 25:1-13

Matthew 25:1-13 ESV 

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Are you ready? Really ready? Are you staying ready?

Saying you love the Lord doesn't carry the same weight as loving the Lord. 

Knowing about the Lord is not as important as knowing the Lord, which means He knows you. Don't miss this and thus miss the mark. 

May our words and deeds say the same thing. 

Enlightenment

If one is interested in enlightenment, wouldn't it be wise to look in the book that begins with "Let there be light"?

Your Own Salvation - Philippians 2:12-13

Philippians 2:12-13 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

How do we accomplish this?

By believing God and obeying Him as we walk in His light. He has made us for good works. He has begun a good work in us. Let us do our part to ensure the outcome. 

My Own - Philippians 3:13-14

Philippians 3:13-14 ESV 

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The work of salvation is complete. It is there waiting on us, but we have to make it our own. The good news is that Jesus will help us. He will work with us. 

We do this by following His commandments. 

John 15:9-10

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

John 15:12-14

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

The Best Light - 1 John 1:5-10

1 John 1:5-10 ESV 

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

God is the light that has come into the darkness of man. Those who come to that light become the children of light. 

Confessing our sins is like trimming the wick of a candle to keep the blaze burning and ensure the best light. 

May the word ever shine within us.