A Matter of Perspective
[The Lamb] "took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne." Revelation 5:7

After church one Sunday, two couples went out for brunch. Laughter punctuated their conversation until the moment when Bob asked, "Did you see the footage on the news about the tribal fighting in Africa?"

His wife, Janet, winced. "Please! We're eating."
"It was pretty gruesome," Kevin agreed.
"This world just keeps getting worse and worse," said Shelly.
Expanding on Shelly's pessimistic observation, they all played "Ain't It Awful!" for an hour. Then they went home feeling vaguely depressed.

Discouragement often affects our attitude toward God's mission. When we're pessimistic about the world, it's hard to be optimistic about saving it. To spark our mission optimism, let's turn to a magnificent vision in the Book of Revelation. The scene is set in Revelation 4. God the Father reigns on His throne in glory and receives the worship of angels and humans. Then, in Revelation 5. John reports, "Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming, 'Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?'" (5:1-2).

John continues, "I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll…" (5:4). But then one of the elders assured John, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah … has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." At that, John "saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain…." (5:5-6).

This Lion-Lamb is Jesus! God the Father has placed all authority in His nail-pierced hands, including the authority to rule over the history of all nations. Having this authority, what do you suppose Christ intends to do with our future?

He intends to fulfill all the Bible's mission prophecies, to turn what they promise into reality. Jesus states this intention in Matthew 28:18-19: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…."
Matthew 28 is the Great Commission from our earthly perspective. Revelation 5 is the Great Commission from God's heavenly perspective. These are two perspectives on a single divine mission-to seek and to save the lost.

Being a pessimist or an optimist is a matter of perspective. As Satan deceives individuals and nations, he hopes you'll lament "Ain't it awful?" and then let him have his way. But in spite of all evil, Christ is using His Church to proclaim the eternal Gospel "to every nation, tribe, language and people" (Rev. 14:6). Though the world may be awful, Christ's plan is awesome-and it will prevail.

1. Make a list of great people from history. Rev. 5:3-4 declares them unworthy to take the scroll. What does Jesus have that they lack?

• For an "ain't-it-wonderful" perspective, read "The Move of the Holy Spirit in the 10/40 Window" by Luis Bush and Beverly Pegues (YWAM).