Dec 26-Dec 31 Hallelujah! God Reigns!

December 26
Are You Ready?
Read Revelation 15-16

Rev 16:15 “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

DO THE plagues of Revelation 16 remind you of another time of God redeeming his people? See Exodus chapters 7-11, and you’ll see the plagues of Egypt that are similar and the same—water turned to blood, darkness, and sores.
The theme of the second exodus runs through Revelation. The God of the beginning and the end set his salvation in motion when he called Abraham to be the father of numberless people. The vision of uncountable people in Heaven, the plagues on the earth that demonstrate God’s invincible power once again, and the ultimate freedom of his people from persecution tell us God is on his throne. All activity comes under his hand, and he we are not to trifle with him, doubting his ultimate authority over our eternal lives.
The Apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 3:2) the church to be ready for such an appearance by the King of Judgment. John warns us, too, in this picture of the end.
People are fearful of this day. Why? Are they not ready?


Pause and Consider: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. (Prov 1:7). Fear also prepares you for the final judgment.

December 27
Victory in the Lord
Read Revelation 17

Rev 17:6-7 When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

WHAT IS the meaning of this?
The seven heads of the beast are seven hills on which the woman sits. Rome is the “city of the seven hills”. Rome is the ‘Mother of prostitutes’. And the seven heads also represent seven kings. The phrase “five have fallen” means that the majority of kings have come and gone. One is currently on the throne, and one has not yet come. When he does come, he must remain for a little while because ‘the time is near’ (1:3). After his departure the beast will reveal itself in an eighth king, who is not a newcomer, for he has already appeared as one of the seven.
It is believed this 8th king is Nero. He was emperor of Rome who severely persecuted Christians. But he is going to his destruction, as every God-opposing monster goes.
The ten horns are ten kings. They are with the Antichrist, the leader of Rome. They rule satellite states. But they have not yet received a kingdom, and they will receive their authority along with the beast for a short time. God allows but limits their rampage!
Their war against the Lamb is useless, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings. His called, chosen and faithful followers will share his victory.


Pause and Consider: Jesus is truly King and Conqueror.


December 28
God Invites You Out of Exile
Read Revelation 18

Rev 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.”

AS YOU may recall, in the studies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we saw God’s judging his people for their sins by sending them into exile to Babylon. And we saw his great love in the salvation of his people by bringing them out of Babylon to be with him again.
The image here of Babylon is a picture of Rome in John’s time. Rome is the country persecuting God’s people. Rome, as was Babylon, is the most powerful country on the earth. John’s Jewish readers would clearly understand the connection between Rome of their day and Babylon in their history.
And the promise God gives to John is the same promise God gave to Ezekiel. God will rescue his people out of “Babylon” and welcome them home to a life with him. The day came when Rome stopped persecuting Christians and became the center of the Christian world.
We can be strengthened and encouraged today that one day God will deliver his Church from today’s persecution and into a glorious place with him. He will bring the Church out of its “exile” where it is demeaned and diminished and welcomed “home” into a place of triumph.
Again, this applies to your individual life, too. Are you feeling you are in “exile” from God for some reason? Then know he wants you to be with him. Go to him. Give yourself to him. And live a life of joy with him.


Pause and Consider: God wants you to be with him.  
December 29
The Perfect Marriage
Read Revelation 19

Revelation 19:6-8 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, the righteous acts of the saints, are bright and clean, was given her to wear.”


WEDDINGS are beautiful occasions. The bride long plans. The groom steps into his place, and they are prayerfully joined into a one-flesh union God declared in Genesis. A flesh-to-flesh, spirit-to-spirit relationship between man and woman perfects God’s creation.
God was in that first union. He had created it. He made it perfect. History has been God’s long plan to restore that sin-broken perfect union. John’s vision describes that time!
Thus, as we come to the restored perfect union between God and his people for eternity, the wedding image is fitting, isn’t it?
Jesus Christ, the Lamb, who is joined with his bride—the Church, all who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior. They come in white linen because his blood has made them clean. And now the church is holy and righteous.
Oh, my! John writes further in Rev 19:9-10: “‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’ 10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him.”
Yes! Worship such a Savior who joins with us for eternity. Give him thanks, and celebrate your holy God.
You can trust such a marvelous perfect God who weds you into a perfect, holy, eternal union with Him.


Pause and Consider: how God unites with you.  
December 30
One Final Heart Check
Read Revelation 20

Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.

GOOD vs. evil, God vs. Satan is the battle waged from beginning to end in Scripture. Hopefully in a time of reading of God’s holiness, his judgment, his grace and his salvation, you have come to a deeper understanding that the battle never lets up until this time of completion. We must live in trust that our God reigns. In his reign he moves all things to his purpose to bring you to his home forever.
This chapter is a picture of God binding Satan for a period of time, then releasing him, then condemning him forever. It is a picture of a time of peace in Christ’s Church. Then God loosens Satan for a short time. There’s always the question, “Why would God not just bind him once and forever?”
The answer may be that God is using Satan to check his people’s hearts. God allowed Satan into Eden to see what kind of hearts his people had. We failed. One more time, he’ll do this. The unfaithful will perish. This is the last opportunity to turn your faith to Jesus. There will be no more salvation offered to those who do not trust God. The faithless die. The faithful will live.
And then God will end it. For all time his presence will fill the new heaven and earth described in the final two chapters.
How is your heart? Would God find you faithful amid Satan’s temptations? Satan is tempting you now. Stand firm in your God, and let him fill you forever.


Pause and Consider: how you must always be on guard to defeat Satan’s evil.  
December 31
Drink God’s Life Water
Read Revelation 21-22

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

WHAT ELSE is there to say? Trust your God. He has given himself entirely to you so that you may enter freely into his home.
Will you accept his invitation? Go to him from wherever you are—rich or poor, happy or sad, sick or healthy, hopeless or hopeful, confused or decided, indifferent or determined, proud or humble—whatever your state of mind, body and soul, you can go more fully with God.
Yes, you can listen to the power of his living Word, Jesus Christ. You can experience the power of the Holy Spirit. You can feel in these words the expression of the Father’s love.
Accept his invitation now to dwell more fully with him. Anticipate a wonderful life with your heavenly Father.
Trust his salvation in all he gives to you. After all, he gives you everything.
Amen.


Bob James
Working Everyday for the King of Kings