Grace, Mercy and Peace To You

# 7 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 1:2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Have you ever wondered why so many of the New Testament letters begin with the phrase, “grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord?” Maybe you have attended worship services where the pastor will begin His message from the pulpit with those same words. “Grace, mercy, and peace to you.” The number one reason we see this greeting is it is the primary message that God wishes to convey to His creation through His church. There is a beautiful picture of this portrayed in the throne vision in the Book of Revelation. Re 4:3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. There is much symbolism here, but let me try to briefly picture what is being portrayed. The Son of God is seated on a throne, completely surrounded by a green rainbow. It's green because it symbolizes life, it's a rainbow because it is the sign of God's covenant of grace, mercy, and peace. Grace, mercy, and peace emanate from the throne, which is surrounded by the 24 elders who represent the church, and the Office of the Word. (the 12 patriarchs of the OT and the 12 Apostles of the NT. These 24 elders receive this message of grace, mercy, and peace, and are charged with passing that message along in the power of the Holy Spirit until our Lord returns. It's not that we are commanded to start every sermon in that manner, but it certainly serves a s a good reminder to all who serve in the office of the Word. Father, let us be faithful stewards of Your message of grace, mercy, and peace.