On school mornings I would often pack lunches for my kids. Gabby liked fruit, Kaleb liked goldfish crackers. Occasionally I would write notes to them, so when they opened their lunch bags they would see a handwritten message from me, reminding them that I love them. 

Imagine your Heavenly Father, with pen in hand, writing down His love for you, His plans for your life, and His commitment to bring it to pass. Well, in a sense, that’s exactly what He did. 

In Revelation 5, the Apostle John was taken “back in time” into heaven to see something very significant. He saw the Father holding a scroll in His right hand, a handwritten description of His will and plans for all of mankind. However, the scroll was sealed and could not be opened. 

Heaven and earth mourned because God’s will was bound – bound by mankind itself, through sin – bound in such a way that only the perfect, sinless blood of a Man could atone for the sin of man. 

John’s weeping was interrupted by the hope-filled entry of the Lamb of God, Jesus, whose blood sacrifice had broken the seals and permitted God’s will to be realized on earth as it is in heaven. 

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

You can’t miss this picture! You may remember that, on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, John was standing at the foot of the cross, embracing Mary, the mother of Jesus. He saw and felt the tragedy and horror of Jesus’ death. 

Now, years later, an angel transports John back in time to that same day, only this time from heaven’s perspective. Heaven mourned that God’s will was sealed up, and mankind was bound by sin. Then Jesus appeared in their midst, “as a Lamb having recently been slaughtered,” whose blood broke the seals to release God’s purpose for humanity, whose power tore the veil of separation from God, whose resurrection set the precedence for every believer to be “raised to life in Christ!” Wow!! Talk about a different perspective!

Not only were we ransomed and redeemed by Jesus’ sacrifice, we were also made to be “a kingdom and priests to our God,” with authority to reign on the earth. That authority is not intended to have dominion over other people, but to exercise spiritual authority over the spirits of darkness who still attempt to hinder God’s will from being manifest on earth. 

You could say that, although the will of God has been released from the Father, it still has yet to be received by many people on earth. Oppression, hatred, prejudice, hypocrisy, selfishness, unkindness, brutality – these things still exist where people refuse the ways and the will of God. 

As believers, we play a critical role in releasing God’s will to be realized on earth. Our daily decisions become a living testimony for others to follow. Our prayers are effective in breaking strongholds and setting captives free. Our declaration of truth in a spirit of grace draws people to Jesus, who alone rules and reigns over all spiritual powers. 

It’s true – the Father loves you, and He wrote His love and plans for your life in a scroll, which was unsealed and released through Jesus Christ. You may still face difficulties and even demonic attack, but, ultimately, you will reign for eternity with the Father who loves you, His Son who redeemed you, and His Spirit who empowers you.