January 1, 2014 God Triumphs

God Triumphs

Read Revelation 8 - 9

Rev 8:3-5 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

THE seventh seal is opened, and there is 30 minutes of silence in heaven. The 30 minutes, some say, allow the prayers of God’s people on earth to be heard.

     The silence could also mean that people who oppose God have no more to say. They are faced with judgment, and their excuses are useless. The incense purifies the prayers before the altar. Then the prayers are answered in judgment.

     Judgment is cast down from heaven to protect the saints (all saved by faith in Jesus) and to judge the sinners. Chapters 8:6 – 11:19 record God’s terrible judgment against a horrific, relentless foe.

     When the 7 trumpets sound in succession, judgment goes onto those who oppose God. But even after the 5 months’ horrific pain from scorpions and hell-like destruction of fire, sulphur and smoke—sin still has its influence.

     A life lesson to learn here is that that Satan will not give up. He knows he is fighting to the death.

     Yes, know these two things: First, the Evil One is relentless to destroy us. Second, God is everlasting to save us who believe on His Savior.

     We have been given this view of the end of days so that we are reminded of God’s power to save. But you don’t have to wait until the end of time to see God’s victory over evil. You can call on the Holy Spirit’s power each day to strengthen your heart, mind and soul in the love of God, to empower you to say, “No!” to the relentless evil in the world.

A Moment’s Thought: God’s eternal protection covers you.

December 31, 2013 Destoy to Build

Destroy to Build

Read Revelation 6 – 7

Rev 7:17 “because the Lamb, who is in the center of the throne, will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

WHAT is your focus in these two chapters—the conflict or the victory?

     I’ll briefly describe the 6 seals revealed here. The first four appear to symbolize judgment. The first seal shows an overwhelming powerful military force as one country invades another. The second seal symbolizes general confusion and warfare within countries, perhaps even civil war. The third seal is about famine. A quart of barley costs much, and a man cannot earn enough to feed his family. Shortly before John’s vision, there was a shortage of grain and an abundance of grapes for wine. The wealthy had their luxuries. The “middle class” had little food.

     The fourth seal is Death. Its symbolisms and connections with Ezekiel’s prophecies indicate it is death by disease. The fifth seal is about the martyrs’ deaths. They triumph. Their robes are washed clean. And they worship their Savior.

     The sixth seal is the cosmic signs of the end of the age and the coming of judgment on the earth. There will be fear among all people when they know that the Lord has come in power and in glory. This is the end of history as we know it.

     The conflict sounds awful, doesn’t it? It’s beyond awful. This is sin’s destruction to humanity.

     But doesn’t the victory sound wonderful? God’s reward is much greater than death’s destruction. Stand fast for the Lord in all circumstances, and he will remove your conflict. He will give you an eternal victory of a life of joy in Him.

A Moment’s Thought: Sin’s destruction, salvation’s construction.

December 30, 2013 A Worthy Savior

A Worthy Savior

Read Revelation 5

Rev 5:4-5 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

WHO is worthy? Our Savior Jesus Christ is worthy to open the scroll. He has obeyed the Father and honored you. Yes, he is worthy.
     The Lord gives John a glorious vision of the Lord’s majesty. John has lived a hard life testifying for his Lord. He is at the end of his life. And Jesus, John’s ever-loving Lord, is showing John that his Lord truly overcomes the sin that keeps the sinner from true worship.

     In essence Jesus reminds John that he has overcome. He is triumphant. Jesus has also told the church: “I stand at the door and knock for you.” This great assurance, though, seems to be preparing John and the church for a most difficult, even terrible time in the near and far future.

     In the coming chapters the vision continues with very difficult and terrible things that occur in the world. Yes, life is difficult—really hard—too often, isn’t it? But we must always understand these difficult events in the context of God’s reign. Be ever mindful that Jesus, the Lamb of God, has conquered evil because he has conquered death. Victory belongs to the Lord.

     Look through your difficulties and look in trust to the Holy God for strength. Walk with confidence that your triumphant Lord leads you to a triumphant life.

A Moment’s Thought: Jesus knows the way to victory (“I am the way” John 14:6).

December 29, 2013 Your Will Be Done

Your Will Be Done

Read Revelation 4

Rev 4:2-3 At once the Spirit took control of me. There in heaven was a throne with someone sitting on it. 3 His face gleamed like such precious stones as jasper and carnelian, and all around the throne there was a rainbow the color of an emerald.

&

Rev 4:11 Our Lord and God! You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. For you created all things, and by your will they were given existence and life.

SUDDENLY the scene shifts. The current state of the church on earth has been addressed. Now it’s time for John to see the heavenly realm.

     This vision is the first of two; the second is in Chapter 5. The two visions are about one truth: the God who creates is the God, who redeems. He makes his purpose happen through the crucified and risen Christ.

     John sees the heavenly realm. The glory and the majesty have also been described in Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. The purity of worship amid the glory of God is unimaginable, incompletely described with mere words. Yes, there is only one worthy to be the Lord of Creation—the Creator.

     Then in the words “on account of your will they were created” we see a look into the future. And what we see is that God’s will is the ultimate power in the universe. There is no doubt that his will shall be done.

     This must be our heartfelt prayer. We must willingly, lovingly submit our will to the Father’s will. He is Lord your life, and I pray you are ready for the day God will completely answer “Your will be done” at the end of the age. 

A Moment’s Thought: God’s will is pleasing and perfect. (See Romans 12:2)

December 28, 2013 A Big, Big Love

A Big, Big Love

Read Revelation 3

Rev 3:20-21 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

THREE churches, three judgments and one promise—Jesus’ love and salvation washes over his hard words and warnings.

     Sardis was on a high hill, an Acropolis, thought to be impregnable. But five times the hill was conquered because the inhabitants did not believe anyone would attack. They didn’t watch. So our Lord says in Rev 3:3 “fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” The warning for you: always be on the watch against attacks from evil.

     Philadelphia suffered from many earthquakes. But Jesus assures this faithful church in Rev 3:7 He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” in other words, nothing but the power of the King can open or close the door to the Kingdom of God. Here’s the message for you: trust God’s authority to judge and to save your life.

     Third, against Laodicea, Jesus speaks of their lukewarmness. They have no passion. He even prefers they are passionately against him to their lukewarm culture! His judgment is severe. Here’s the message for you: be passionate for Jesus.

     In the words against these churches we can see our lives. Jesus is imploring the church and you to respond to his love and act as if something magnificent has happened in your life—because it has.  

    

A Moment’s Thought: The cross is called “the Passion” for a reason.