On the Twelth Day...

Revelation 5 can serve to remind us that Jesus is worthy of our praise:
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders ; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

Jesus, the Lamb of God, gave His life so that we might have new life in Him.   The perfect sacrifice, substitute for our sin, bore the shame so that we may come to know Him.   And, because of who Jesus is - God in the flesh, the Savior of all humanity - and because of what He's done - purchasing salvation for us - our hearts can respond to Him in worship.   Worship proceeds from our processing of His nature and glory, and at Christmas, this can truly be a wonderful time to enter in to God's presence, humble our hearts before Him, and give Him our praise.

Revelation 14 presents a stunning picture of heaven, with Jesus, the Lamb of God, on the throne, and 12 x 12,000 people, redeemed by Him, standing before Him in worship:
1 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.

Test, test, test...1, 2, 1, 2.

Yes, it's National Sound Check Day.  Right - one, two, one two.   It is 12/12/12, the final repeating date of this century.  There are various ways that are being talked about to celebrate it - for instance, there are quite a few weddings planned for this day.  

It's also the first day that Pope Benedict XVI released his first tweet on Twitter, using the handle @pontifex.   It was sent via an iPad and said: "Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart." 

The number 12 has some significance in Scripture:  according to www.biblestudy.org, it is found 187 times in the Bible, 22 in the book of Revelation.   And, while there is a lot of discussion about the presumed expiration of the Mayan calendar next week, the real scenario about what we might called the "end of time" or the "end of days" can be found in the Scriptures.  

We recognize there were 12 sons of Jacob, who became the 12 tribes of Israel.  And, during the tribulation period, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel are saved, totaling 144,000 (Revelation 7). A second 144,000 are gathered from the earth to serve the Lamb and follow Him (Revelation 14:1-5). The bride of Christ is pictured with a crown of 12 stars (Revelation 12:1).


The New Jerusalem has 12 gates of pearls, 12 angels at the gates and the names of the 12 tribes of Israel over the gates. The wall of the city has 12 foundations of precious stones; in them are the names of the 12 apostles. The wall is 144 cubits high (12 x 12). The city is 12,000 furlongs (1,500 miles) square.

Also, at age 12, Jesus appeared at the temple.  And, of course, Jesus ordained 12 apostles.

So, today is brought to you by the number 12.   And, if we look at where and how that number is used, we're reminded of the redemption story.   As Andrew Peterson so skillfully related in song last night at the annual "Behold the Lamb of God" presentation, the story of redemption goes all the way back into the pages of the Old Testament, and includes prophets and kings, and then culminates in the coming of Jesus, the Lamb of God, to earth.   The final song includes the words:
"Glory to Jesus
Ancient and strong
Giver of love
And the theme of my song."

God's story is a big, big story:  as Andrew read from "The Jesus Storybook Bible" by Sally Lloyd-Jones last night: 
“No, the Bible isn’t a list of rules, or a book of heroes.  The Bible is most of all a Story.  It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure.  It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne–everything–to rescue the one he loves.  It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!

You see, the best thing about this Story is–it’s true.

There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story.  The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.

So, today, with all the fuss about the number 12, we can be reminded that the story of Christmas is a story of redemption, about a loving God who wanted to redeem His people, and to make it possible for them to be with Him forever.