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Revelation 22 - Grace
The last chapter... You know, in finishing Revelation, I can honestly say that I don't have a clue as to what is going to happen any more than I did when I started reading it. The timeline seemed to jump from one place to another, more than half the book was crouched in symbolism, and the person speaking changed, fluidly, without notice from John, to Angels, to Elders, to Jesus and back again.
However, this one thing I do know, God is faithful. He will not allow us to endure beyond what we are able to bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Thus if we are to experience any of this book's coming judgment, God will see us through it. I conclude with this verse.
Revelation 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus.
Peace, Jan
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Revelation 21 - The Sea & Shining Brightly
There is so much in this chapter that I could just post the entire thing and it would pretty much speak for itself. Yet there were a couple of things that stood out to me. The first was about the sea.
Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth disappeared, and the sea vanished.
Why would the sea vanish? What is this saying?
Matthew Henry explained it thusly.
"There will be no sea; this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes, and alarms; from whatever can divide or interrupt the communion of saints."
Personally I hope he is right, that this is a metaphor for the elimination of division among God's people, because I like the ocean. I like the sound of waves crashing on the shore. But no matter how this plays out, Heaven will be more wonderful than my limited imagination can conceive.
The second thing that stood out to me was this passage.
Revelation 21:23-25 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations of the earth will walk in its light,... Its gates never close at the end of day because there is no night.
It reminded me of how Moses had to cover his face with a veil because his face shone brightly from having been in the presence of God.
Exodus 34:29-35 When Moses went down from Mount Sinai carrying the Ten Commandments, his face was shining because he had been speaking with the Lord; but he did not know it. Aaron and all the people looked at Moses and saw that his face was shining, and they were afraid to go near him. But Moses called them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the community went to him, and Moses spoke with them. After that, all the people of Israel gathered around him, and Moses gave them all the laws that the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil. Whenever Moses went into the Tent of the Lord's presence to speak to the Lord, he would take the veil off. When he came out, he would tell the people of Israel everything that he had been commanded to say, and they would see that his face was shining. Then he would put the veil back on until the next time he went to speak with the Lord.
What an amazing sight that must have been, Moses must have looked like a Chernobyl survivor - his own night-light! No wonder the people were afraid. But in time, even Moses couldn't retain that reflected glory of God and it began to fade.
2 Corinthians 3:7b ...such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.
So he kept the veil on so that the people would not notice that the brightness was fading away.
2 Corinthians 3:13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away.
We however, have such an awesome promise in the next few verses.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
By accepting Jesus into our lives and having the Holy Spirit live within us, not merely overshadowing us for a temporary visit, we have the very presence of God emanating from within - premanently. Our earthen bodies keep the light contained for the most part, like a clay pot would hide the light of a lamp inside of it. But when our new bodies are revealed in Heaven, I suspect that we will brightly reflect the glory of our God.
But we cannot just sit back and wait for some future event. We are to do all we can in the here-and-now to show that light to the lost. Make some holes in that clay pot! Jesus put it clearly;
Matthew 5:14-15 You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.
Jesus expects us to do something. We can keep it bottled or covered up, or we can reveal it. As the old Negro Spiritual This little light of mine says, I'm not going to make it shine, I'm just going to let it.
This little light of mine I'm going to let it shine Oh, this little light of mine I'm going to let it shine Hallelujah This little light of mine I'm going to let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Ev'ry where I go I'm going to let it shine Oh, ev'ry where I go I'm going to let it shine Hallelujah Ev'ry where I go I'm going to let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
All in my house I'm going to let it shine Oh, all in my house I'm going to let it shine Hallelujah All in my house I'm going to let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
I'm not going to make it shine I'm just going to let it shine I'm not going to make it shine I'm just going to let it shine Hallelujah I'm not going to make it shine I'm just going to let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Out in the dark I'm going to let it shine Oh, out in the dark I'm going to let it shine Hallelujah Out in the dark I'm going to let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
May we not hide it, but rather let the light of God, reflected in our lives, truly shine out to a lost world, desperately groping about in the darkness.
Shine Bright! Jan
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Revelation 20 - Book of Life (Living)
Revelation 20:12-15 I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Let me preface this by saying that I'm writing uncompleted thoughts for the purpose of discussion. My mother has been reading my daily dBrag's and recently asked me a question regarding Revelation 13. I avoided directly answering her by sending her a list of bible verses to look up regarding the subject. But her question has piqued my interest and keeps popping up in my mind. So here is her question followed by my thoughts.
Hi Jan.
Nikdo mě nevysvětlil passage "All people living on earth will worship it, except those whose names were written BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD in the book of the living...." což je částí této úvahy.
Díky za odpověď!
Bůh Ti žehnej bohatě!
Máma.
What, you don't read Czech? Ok, here is a translation for you.
Hi Jan.
Nobody has ever explained to me the passage "All people living on earth will worship it, except those names were written BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD in the book of the living...." which is the common translation.
Thanks for answering!
May God richly bless you!
Mom
There are two ways that I see understanding the passages that deal with the Book of Life and predestination.
The first is to assume that everyone is written in the Lamb's Book of Life from before the foundation of the world. But we know that not everyone will be allowed into Heaven, only the righteous - those who accept Christ's forgiveness. So where is the scriptural basis for this first assumption?
Exodus 32:32-33 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Psalm 69:28 Let them be erased from the book of life and not be recorded with the righteous.
Revelation 3:5 In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
In order to be erased, blotted out or taken away, their names had to be there initially. I guess one way to view the words "Book of Life" could be the "Book of all Living Souls" or "The Genealogical Record".
Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
The scripture above would seem to confirm that it is a historical record of our lives. However this explanation does not quite fit because of the multitude of verses that deal with predestination - verses that say God chose us before the foundation of the world. If we are chosen, then not everyone is in the book right? Because in order for there to be choice, something must be excluded.
Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Ephesians 1:4-5,11 Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him. Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children—this was his pleasure and purpose. ...All things are done according to God's plan and decision; and God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the very beginning.
This brings me to the second way of interpreting these types of passages. Let me start by saying that no, I don't think that God arbitrarily decides that some people go to hell and others go to heaven. God is not like "The Claw" from "Toy Story".
[Buzz Lightyear asks] Who's in charge here?
[Three eyed aliens in the claw machine reply] The claw!
The claw is our master.
The claw chooses who will go and who will stay.
[The machine claw starts to move] The claw.
It moves.[The claw grabs one of them] I have been chosen!
Farewell, my friends. I go on to a better place.[The others start chanting] He has been chosen. - He must go.
[Buzz and Woody grab onto the chosen alien]
[The aliens start chanting] You might anger the claw. The claw! The claw! Do not fight the claw.Nirvana is coming. The mystic portal awaits.
[Woody] Will you be quiet? You guys don't get it, do you?
Like the green three-eyed aliens we often just don't get it. I know I certainly don't. However, I continue to try.
In trying, I see an entirely different interpretation of the "predestination" phrases used in the bible. Especially things like Romans 9. I see them as the gospel writers human attempts to understand the concept of timelessness or the omnipresence and omniscience of God.
God is not bound by time as we are. He knows the beginning from the end. However, time for us human creatures is linear - that is, it moves in a straight line from a start to a finish. We have no way of removing ourselves from that line.
Perhaps a word picture will clarify this a bit. Imagine, if you will, that our entire world's existence is housed within a container such as a test tube. Our universe's and world's existence and timeline started at one end of the tube and is moving toward the other. When it reaches the other end, the book of Revelation will be completed. God, the creator of the test tube environment, is holding it in his hands. He can examine any part of it at any time. He can see every detail of what was, what is, and what will be. That is why true biblical prophecy is 100% accurate. We temporal creatures are constrained by the limits of the glass walls, we cannot go forward except by the natural progression that God has built into the system - time. And we cannot go backwards because that is now inert and solidified. Now go back to the question of predestination.
Since God is holding the test tube, and has carefully examined it, He knows what will occur before we have ever experienced it, He has written everything about us in the books regarding our lives. He foreknew our path before we were ever born. Therefore those destined for eternal life in Heaven have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life from before the foundation of the world. Those that He knows won't accept His Son, don't have their names in His book.
Makes your head swim, doesn't it?
Lord, no matter what, may we truly be seeking intimate fellowship with You. Thank You for the gift of eternal life through Jesus.
Amen, Jan
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Revelation 19 - Hallelujah
I think that John was struggling to describe the very same thing that I attempted to describe about Revelation 5:11. Look at his description here.
Revelation 19:5-8 And from the throne came a voice that said, "Praise our God, all his servants, from the least to the greatest, all who fear him." Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a huge crowd, or the roar of mighty ocean waves, or the crash of loud thunder: "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She is permitted to wear the finest white linen." ...
He just doesn't have the words to describe the immense wonderful sound of saints from every generation all joined in song, at one time, in one purpose. I can hardly wait!
Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!
Revelation 18 - Mercy
It is amazing that even at this late time God still shows mercy to those that have accepted Him. He owes them nothing. He has given them the gift of eternal life already, anything else is a bonus. And here in the fourth verse of this chapter I see yet again God's great compassion and mercy.
Revelation 18:4 Just then I heard another shout out of Heaven: Get out, my people, as fast as you can, so you don't get mixed up in her sins, so you don't get caught in her doom.
He gives the believers in the city bound for destruction a chance to escape so that they don't suffer the same horrible death as those that are left behind.
Something so many people miss is that this is the very nature of God - mercy, grace, love, and compassion. He delights in forgiveness, in giving good gifts to His children. It is all throughout the bible from the old testament through the new. Just look at this verse from Jonah.
Jonah 4:2b ...I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!
May we be as willing to show mercy and forgiveness to those in need.
Peace! Jan.
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Revelation 17 - You want proof, I'll give you proof!
I like the way The Message words this verse.
Revelation 17:14 They will go to war against the Lamb but the Lamb will defeat them, proof that he is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, and those with him will be the called, chosen, and faithful.
Anyone can say that they are boss, to say that they are in charge, but if they can't back it up, the titles are mere meaningless words.
If you tell me that you are in charge of a company, but the employees don't listen to your directives, are you really in charge? If you say that you are the leader, but you are not followed, are you really the leader?
In the same way, unless all of the kingdoms of the world either voluntarily submit to Jesus' authority, or He defeats them in battle and then takes charge, He cannot rightly claim the title of "Lord over all lords, King over all kings" can He?
Thus we see in Revelation 17:14 that Jesus' victory over the ruler of this world is that very proof. There will be no room left for any doubt about Jesus identity at this point. He is indeed Lord, Master, and King!
Amen, Jan
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Revelation 16 - Robes Ready
This was another of those passages that I wondered about.
Revelation 16:15 "Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed."
We are repeatedly told by Jesus to watch and to be ready, to not fall asleep, to be vigilant, to look for His coming, to make sure that we have what we need for our journey and so on.
Matthew 24:42-50 So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming. ...You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected. ...well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected.
Matthew 25:1-13 "The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept. At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!' "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.' But the others replied, 'We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Sir, open the door for us!' But he called back, 'I don't know you!' "So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.
Mark 13:32-37 "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don't know when they will happen, stay alert and keep watch. "The coming of the Son of Man can be compared with that of a man who left home to go on a trip. He gave each of his employees instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. So keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when the homeowner will return – at evening, midnight, early dawn, or late daybreak. Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch for his return!"
Luke 12:35-40 "Be dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for his return. I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready! ...You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."
Luke 21:34-36 "Watch out! Don't let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man."
John 14:3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
Romans 8:22-25 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
Romans 15:4b ...They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises.
1 Corinthians 1:7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-10 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be sober. Night is the time for sleep and the time when people get drunk. But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. He died for us so that we can live with him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of his return.
James 5:7-9 Dear brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They patiently wait for the precious harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don't grumble about each other, my brothers and sisters, or God will judge you. For look! The great Judge is coming. He is standing at the door!
Jude 1:21 Live in such a way that God's love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.
What an interesting cross-section of verses. It is clear that we are to be waiting in earnest expectation of Christ's return. Just look at all the words that I italicized in the verses above. We should be looking out our windows for His appearing in the clouds. We should have our earthly affairs in such an order that our absence will be as prepared for as if we leaving for a vacation tomorrow.
I personally know that I'm not this excited, this anticipating of Jesus' return. But obviously I should be! "Lord, please forgive my hardness of heart and draw me closer to You."
Ok, I clearly see that we are to be eagerly waiting, but what does it mean, "not need to walk naked and ashamed."?
I had to do some digging in commentaries to understand this one. There are two interpretations make sense.
The first is that this is a reference to the fact that in those days people often slept naked. Thus if they were asleep, and something suddenly came up, they wouldn't have their clothes on them. They would have to run out of their home naked and be ashamed as a result.
The second is an similar meaning that I found in "John Gill's Exposition of the Bible". Levites (the priests) were clothed in linen robes. Their job was to watch over and serve in the temple at all times. Some of them had the night shift. There was one guy who's job it was to check up on the rest - "the governor of the temple". If they were awake, he'd commend them for a job well done. If however they were sleeping on the job, he would cold-cock them with his staff, and burn their priestly robes. Thus in the morning they would show up naked and ashamed.
May we be found awake, properly
clothed, anticipating, and ready!
Jan
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Revelation 15 - Victorious over his number...
I've read, and re-read this particular chapter, and I keep getting stuck on verse 2.
Revelation 15:2 I saw before me what seemed to be a crystal sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them.
What does it mean to be "victorious over the number representing his name"? I'm stumped on this one.
Interesting how God answers the seeking heart. Just now, as I was looking up this verse in several different translations I came upon this reading in The Good News translation.
Revelation 15:2 Then I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. I also saw those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and over the one whose name is represented by a number. They were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps that God had given them.
What I didn't see earlier is that there are three distinct individuals over whom the victory has been won. They are; the beast, the image, and the anti-christ (the one whose name is represented by a number.).
Then the redeemed sang the song of Moses as found in Exodus 15.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
"I will sing to the Lord, because he has won a glorious victory...
The Lord is my strong defender; he is the one who has saved me. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will sing about his greatness.
The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name...
"Your right hand, Lord, is awesome in power; it breaks the enemy in pieces. In majestic triumph you overthrow your foes; your anger blazes out and burns them up like straw...
"Lord, who among the gods is like you? Who is like you, wonderful in holiness? Who can work miracles and mighty acts like yours?...
...They see your strength, O Lord, and stand helpless with fear until your people have marched past—the people you set free from slavery. You bring them in and plant them on your mountain, the place that you, Lord, have chosen for your home, the Temple that you yourself have built. You, Lord, will be king forever and ever."
Amen, Jan
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Revelation 14 - So you're telling me there's a chance?
In the movie Dumb and Dumber there is a memorable piece of dialog. Lloyd, the eternal optimist, is longing to be with Mary, the woman he is sure he loves. He finally catches up with her and the following dialog ensues.
Lloyd: What are the chances of a guy like you and a girl like me... ending up together?
Mary: Well, that's pretty difficult to say.
Lloyd: Hit me with it! I've come a long way to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?
Mary: Not good.
Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?
Mary: I'd say more like one out of a million.
[pause]
Lloyd: So you're telling me there's a chance.
In this chapter I see that God's grace is truly amazing. Even after all of the rejection, disbelief, and rebellion that the world's inhabitants have heaped upon Him, He is still willing to give them a chance. The probability that they will accept Him is low - like one out of a million, but the opportunity is still there.
Revelation 14:6-7 I saw another Angel soaring in Middle-Heaven. He had an Eternal Message to preach to all who were still on earth, every nation and tribe, every tongue and people. He preached in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory! His hour of judgment has come! Worship the Maker of Heaven and earth, salt sea and fresh water!"
What is this Angel preaching? Essentially it is, acknowledge God for who He is. The implication is that if they haven't taken the mark, then they can still be saved. Contrast that with this message.
Revelation 14:9-11 A third Angel followed, shouting, warning, "If anyone worships the Beast and its image and takes the mark on forehead or hand, that person will drink the wine of God's wrath, prepared unmixed in his chalice of anger, and suffer torment from fire and brimstone in the presence of Holy Angels, in the presence of the Lamb. Smoke from their torment will rise age after age. No respite for those who worship the Beast and its image, who take the mark of its name."
There is a key "and" in the above scripture. Once a person takes the mark of the Beast they cannot be saved.
Why do I feel that there is still hope for some? It is because this next scripture describes yet a third group of people still on the earth.
Revelation 14:12 Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God's commands, staying faithful to Jesus.
They are obviously on earth because they are said to be keeping God's commands and are staying faithful. In heaven that will not be a problem. Therefore I must conclude that the first group that was addressed is being given one last chance to repent.
Grace to you, Jan
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Revelation 13 - Endurance and Faith
How I hate the sound of these words - Endurance and Faith! Now it is not that I dislike the words themselves, I think they are wonderful words. However, in the context they are used here, they are words that signify great discomfort.
Revelation 13:7-10 It (The Beast) was allowed to fight against God's people and to defeat them, and it was given authority over every tribe, nation, language, and race. All people living on earth will worship it, except those whose names were written before the creation of the world in the book of the living which belongs to the Lamb that was killed. "Listen, then, if you have ears! Whoever is meant to be captured will surely be captured; whoever is meant to be killed by the sword will surely be killed by the sword. This calls for endurance and faith on the part of God's people."
I personally do all I can to avoid discomfort. I have air-conditioning in my car, I wear comfortable clothing and shoes, avoid conflict whenever I can, and so on. What I see in the verses above is that unless I am dead and in Heaven, or the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:52) has occurred before these passages, then I will suffer and I must be faithful and endure.
But wait, there's more! Any believers that survive the first beast's wrath will then have a second one to contend with! This one is to be handled a bit differently by the believer, we are not to just endure with faith.
Revelation 13:11 Then I saw another beast, which came up out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb's horns, and it spoke like a dragon.
Revelation 13:18 This calls for wisdom. Whoever is intelligent can figure out the meaning of the number of the beast, because the number stands for the name of someone. Its number is 666.
The believers will still need endurance and faith, but to that they are told to add wisdom. Why? So that they will be able to recognize the evil for what it is. This thing has lamb's horns. Why? To imitate the Lamb that was killed - Jesus. Miraculous things will be done by the second beast in order to deceive them into believing that it is to be worshiped - that it is the promised second coming. Praise God that He will keep those that are His from falling for it.
Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
I've explored this passage before in great detail. (If you want to see more click the Archives link for Matthew and then select chapter 24.) The short version is that the elect cannot be deceived. Praise God!
In summary, I guess that after writing and pondering about all of this, my only response is to ask for God's mercy for myself and my family. May we be spared. But if not, may He grant us the grace to endure with faith and wisdom.
In Christ, Jan
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Revelation 12 - The Accuser of the brethren
I personally find comfort in this section of scripture.
Revelation 12:10-11 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the accuser of the brethren who stood before our God and accused believers day and night has been thrown out of heaven. They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die.
I have in my life a person, I'll call him "Roger459", that plays the part of the accuser of the brethren. This man takes perverse pleasure in finding fault with Christians. He himself claims to be a Christian, and he knows the bible better than most Christians. So with that knowledge he continually bashes others. It is quite frustrating to say the least. But as I see from scripture, God does not take kindly to this type of behavior and warns us about it. (Job 1, Zechariah 3:1, Luke 22:31, 1 Peter 5:8)
My job is in Revelation 12:11. I must continue to hold onto and speak the truth, no matter what insult or accusation may be thrown my way. I must rely on Jesus' saving power to do the work, I cannot do it myself. My response is in Matthew 5:44-45. I must pray for "Roger459" and hope beyond hope that God will be merciful to him and allow him to change.
Matthew 5:44-45a I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. (The Message)
Matthew 5:44-45a But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. (New King James)
So I pray; "Heavenly Father, You see the hearts of all men. You know what is going on. I pray that as You turn the hearts of Kings, You turn the heart of this accuser of the brethren. Allow him to truly repent and become an instrument of healing and not abuse. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Be Blessed, Jan
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Revelation 11 - The Ark
Hmm, most bible scholars assume that the Ark of the Covenant was destroyed when Nebuchadnezzar burned Solomon's Temple. But here we find a reference to it. What's up with that?
Revelation 11:19a Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple.
Why is it being shown?
It is a visible sign that God has granted free access to His people into the inner sanctum. "The Temple of God was opened." When the Ark was on earth, only the high priest was allowed to see it, and even then it was covered by a veil, and He was only allowed to see it once a year. Here we see the door's of the temple being opened, no veil in the way, no priest required, with full and direct access to God's provision for us. What an awesome future vision and promise!
Thank you Lord, Jan
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Revelation 9 - But they refused
I find God's amazing grace shown in this chapter. "Huh?" You might ask. "All I see is death and destruction." Look again at this verse.
Revelation 9:20 But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to turn from their evil deeds.
Obviously they still had the opportunity to repent, to turn from their evil deeds and become right with God, even now. But they still refused.
God, may we never be so hardened by our complacency or sin that we refuse to change.
Amen, Jan
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Revelation 8 - Prayers
I'm not sure why, but I find this visual very appealing.
Revelation 8:3-4 Then another Angel, carrying a gold censer, came and stood at the Altar. He was given a great quantity of incense so that he could offer up the prayers of all the holy people of God on the Golden Altar before the Throne. Smoke billowed up from the incense-laced prayers of the holy ones, rose before God from the hand of the Angel.
The incense-laced prayers rising before God. Prayers are shown here as being something tangible, they can obviously be handled, burned, and smelled. As the song says, "May the prayers of the saints, be like sweet smelling incense." May our prayers be sweet smelling to our God.
Blessings to you, Jan
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Revelation 7 - Every Language
John is describing a vast crowd from all over the world, all praising God.
Revelation 7:9-10 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!"
He sees and hears people from every language group and he hears them all shouting the same thing. Amazingly, he understands them! This is truly the work of God, allowing John to understand, simultaneously, what was being sung and said. What a sound that must have been! What a sound that will be!
Hooray God! Jan
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Revelation 6 - Oxymoron!
Revelation 6:16 And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.
What an interesting oxymoron, Wrath of the Lamb. What kind of wrath would a lamb be able to inflict on someone? Not much. However, this Lamb is quite different. This is the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world, the One that willingly was led to the slaughter, the One that bought our redemption.
In my late teens, I had a friend that could air-brush quite well. I had him make a t-shirt for me that had a picture of a sheep standing on its hind legs with a sweat-band around its head. Above it were the words "Attack Sheep". I wore it proudly until it wore out. The message of the shirt was, that although I am God's lost lamb come home, I am also a warrior for Him and must fight against evil.
I see here in Revelation, that the inhabitants of the world are seeing that the formerly meek Lamb - Jesus, is now coming back with a vengeance. As the old bumper stickers used to say, "Jesus is coming back, and boy is He pissed." I want to be sure I'm on His side, don't you?
Blessings to you, Jan
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Revelation 5 - Every Creature
I greatly enjoy listening to music. However, I tend to confuse most people since my taste in music runs from Classical all the way to Heavy Metal. The only style I have a problem with is Rap. Not because I have some dogmatic viewpoint about it, I just personally don't like the sound. There is however one musical style that always seems to transport me right to the very throne of God Himself. That style is Mass Choir. If you have ever been to a Promise Keeper event and experienced 10,000 - 50,000 men all singing Amazing Grace, then you know what I am describing. There are times that I stop singing and just listen. The awesome sound of those tenor, baritone, and bass voices, all singing the praise of God in unison just sends chills up my spine! Imagine this scene then:
Revelation 5:11 Then I looked again, and I heard the singing of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: "The Lamb is worthy – the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing." And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They also sang: "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever."
Did you catch that? Millions of voices, all singing simultaneously! Then when it doesn't seem like it can get more incredible, it does! Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea join in the song. I cannot even begin to imagine what that will sound like. But one day in the not too distant future I will know exactly what it sounds like, because I will be participating in that Heavenly Mass Choir. And I'm sure that at some moment I will pause my singing as I have done in the past, and just allow the amazing sound to wash over me in waves of rhythm and melody sublime!
"Always be full of joy in the Lord.
I say it again – rejoice!" Jan
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Revelation 3 - To the Conquerors
I notice here the theme of Conquerors, those that are Victorious, those that Overcome.
Revelation 3:5 Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I'll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels.
Revelation 3:12 I'll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I'll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God's City - the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven - and my new Name.
This is an interesting statement: "I'll write... my new Name." I wonder what Jesus' new name could be?
Revelation 3:21 Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!
There are some very interesting rewards for the Conquerors - those that overcome, those that are victorious.
They receive from Jesus, indelible names in the Lamb's Book of Life. That means that they cannot be erased!
They will be called and presented by name to God and the angels. Imagine this scene and insert your name instead of mine.
You are viewing the great hall of Heaven, angel armies in their finest shining clothing, wearing their ceremonial armor are lining each side - too many of them to count. God Himself is sitting, resplendent on His throne at the far end of the hall, and Jesus is sitting at His right side. The massive gilded double doors at the opposite end of the great hall swing open inward in one fluid motion. A trumpet fanfare sounds. And then silence, silence so deep that you can hear yourself breathe. After what seems like an eternity, but has only been moments, Jesus rises to His feet from His throne on God's right side. An enormous smile breaks across His face as He loudly proclaims for all to hear, "It is My great joy and honor to present to You My Father, and to this great company of faithful warriors, My fellow victorious soldier of the cross, Jan the Valiant! Welcome him as you would Me. For he is worthy!" Spontaneously the angel armies erupt in thunderous applause and cheering that continues the entire time as I, overcome with emotion, walk the length of the long hall and finally kneel before my God and King..."
Wow! I want to be there, don't you?
May we truly be willing to be victorious. Please note, it does NOT require great feats of courage or strength, or even mighty works for God, it requires perseverance. Look at these verses:
Revelation 3:8-11 "I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough. "And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan - watch as I strip off their pretensions and they're forced to acknowledge it's you that I've loved. "Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I'll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test. "I'm on my way; I'll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown. I'll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God...
He is saying hold onto what you have. Don't give up, and He, Jesus, will make us Conquerors! We don't do it ourselves.
Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Victory is yours! Jan
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Revelation 2 - Works & Rewards.
I see some interesting promises here. Jesus is describing the good works and bad works of those in the churches that John is addressing. And He is giving out rewards for good works! Let's take a look.
Works:
Revelation 2:2a I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. (purity)Revelation 2:5a Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.
Revelation 2:13b And you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. (determination, courage)
Revelation 2:19 I know your works--your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first.
Revelation 2:23c and I will give to each of you according to your works.
Hmm, verse 23... "give... according to your works." What will He give. Let's see.
Rewards:
Revelation 2:7 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.Revelation 2:10b Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:17 "Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.
Revelation 2:26-28 The victor and the one who keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations-- and He will shepherd them with an iron scepter; He will shatter them like pottery -- just as I have received this from My Father. I will also give him the morning star.
So we see: labor, endurance, purity, determination, faith, repentance, courage, love, service, and increasing works.
The rewards are: eating from the tree of life, paradise, crown of life, hidden manna, white stone with new name on it, authority over the nations, and the morning star.
What a list! Did you notice Paradise? Heaven in and of itself would be reward enough, but we get all of these other things and more! The requirement is that we continue to "do the works you did at first."
The Apostle Paul put it like this:
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
I close with words from Winston Churchill.
"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
You are blessed, Jan
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Revelation 1 - The One.
Two years ago for Christmas my wife bought me the entire Babylon 5 series on DVD. This is a Science Fiction show that was on TV in the mid 1990's. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time of experiencing this story together. In this series they had the concept of The One. It was three distinct individuals all performing the same function but at different times. The One was obeyed without question. I found a very similar concept here in this chapter.
Revelation 1:4-6 From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Good will and peace to you from the one who is, the one who was, and the one who is coming, from the seven spirits who are in front of his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the witness, the trustworthy one, the first to come back to life, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. Glory and power forever and ever belong to the one who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us a kingdom, priests for God his Father. Amen.
Revelation 1:8 "I am the A and the Z," says the Lord God, the one who is, the one who was, and the one who is coming, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. Then he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last, the living one. I was dead, but now I am alive forever. I have the keys of death and hell.
Look at the references to The One in this section of scripture. He is the one who was (he died, he was first), the one who is (he lives, present), and the one who will be or is coming (future and forever, the last).
In the Babylon 5 series, the people that followed The One were called Rangers. Their purpose was to withstand the forces of darkness, to stand for the light no matter what it took - even if it meant losing their lives. They had a motto that they embraced with all of their being. It is a motto that every follower of Christ should embrace with all of their being as well, because we follow The True One! May the hoards of hell hear the shouts of Christ's Rangers and tremble, for we are awakening and we know our place!
"We live for the one. We die for the one."
Amen, Jan
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Who am I?
I am a Christian man in his mid 40's. Like many men, I struggle with daily life issues. I know that my wife and children deserve to have a man of integrity, a man of courage, a man of passion, in short - a warrior for God, as head of our home.
Therefore, one of the things I have resolved to do is to chronicle my bible readings as the Lord Jesus gives me strength and ability. I am doing so with several other men that God has placed in my life. It is a concept that you can find on www.dbrag.org. I encourage you to follow suit.
Remember, if you are in Christ, you are blessed!
Jan Broucinek
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jan @ tinybeetle.us
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