What is your purpose? Is there a single, over-arching reason for you to exist? There is! The answer is not evangelism, though some might expect me to say it is due to the work I do. But, evangelism is an expression of your purpose. Furthermore, your purpose isn’t good deeds to others. Like evangelism, good deeds are expressions of your purpose. Your purpose can be clearly seen in Revelation 5.
The moon and stars which You have made… Psalm 8:3
All that God has done from the Fall of Man to the events depicted in the Revelation has been for this purpose. God is gathering to Himself. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Evangelism, missions, and good deeds are clearly necessary but they are the means to an end, not the eternal purpose. God offers His invitations:
- Come, let us reason together. Though your sin be as scarlet it shall be white as snow. Though it be red like crimson, it shall be as wool…
- Whosoever will may come…
- Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Isaiah 1:18
Many will accept, but most will reject. The scene in Revelation 5 is for those who have accepted His invitation.
The REDEEMER, the One who bought us with His blood, is rightfully worshipped. He is adored not only for His redemptive acts, He is adored because He has gathered believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue. He is exalted and honored by the diversity of His work as Creator. God is infinitely creative and I believe this tells us we will see distinct people groups in heaven. For sure, we will all be glorified, but we won’t all be exactly alike!
He is honored because His redemption of creation is seen to have a purpose. He has made those who accepted His invitation into a nation of kings and priests. Priests are called to serve God in His worship. We are all to be rulers under God’s direction and we are all worshipers, honoring and exalting Him without end.
In Revelation 5, we also hear heavenly cries of, Power, Riches, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory, and Blessing. Those who have been called to worship by loving Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength see the white-hot, passionate worship of the King. All that we are, all our doing, is for this end. God is drawing people from everywhere to Himself to lift up His magnificent name in worship. Two things are urgent for us: 1) Rehearsal–Practice His worship now and practice often. We need to be skilled at eternity’s activity; 2) Bring as many people with you as possible.
Where are we in Heaven’s worship scene? If you will permit my extension of the metaphor in the paragraph above, we are coals on that white-hot fire. It’s all about Him, not about us. Worship drives missions and evangelism. You please pray for our upcoming mission teams as we join the Lord in His purpose of turning rebels into worshipers! Because worship is the eternal purpose for which we were created! And that’s why we will be demonstrating the Gospel (good deeds) and declaring the Gospel (evangelism).
Please pray and please share with others.
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