Today’s Reading: Romans 4:1-5:11, Psalm 31

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have PEACE with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and JOYfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. – Romans 5:1-2

Our study of Revelation over the last three weeks has caused a joyful anticipation of all that is coming, but perhaps it has also caused some fear or concern for others. But we serve a God of peace who wants us to look ahead with confidence and assurance. One day we will experience the glory of God in a new way, and that is something to celebrate.

Today is the first day of Advent, a season to focus on the birth of Christ as well as the anticipation of Jesus’ return. What perfect timing for us to move from John’s revelation of what is to come to the anticipation we experience when we focus on the Christ Child. In alignment with the tradition of Advent, we will journey through the experience of hope, peace, joy and love — all four of which are referred to in Romans chapter five, along with the theological concepts of faith and grace.

Consider the example of Abraham. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping (4:18). God had made him a promise and Abraham never wavered in believing that God would be faithful, and so his faith grew stronger (4:20). He stood in confidence that God is able to do what He promised He would do. And God counted him as righteous because of his faith, just as He does for those of us who believe in Him — the One who raised Jesus from the dead.

He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. – Romans 4:25

The story of our salvation is woven into the Christmas story. So let’s spend the next four weeks intentionally spending time in God’s presence. Let’s study His Word by the light of the Christmas tree, and once again experience the wonder of all the Lord has done for us. May hope, peace, joy and love be multiplied in our lives through our faith in God and the undeserved gift of His grace.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident HOPE of salvation. And this HOPE will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his LOVE. – Romans 5:3-5

Looking back over 2025, your mind may focus on the hardest moments and the biggest challenges, but today’s passage of scripture is reminding us to rejoice in our problems — to find joy in our struggles and a hope that can be described as confidence. For the Lord takes these difficult times in our lives and uses them to strengthen our character, to shape us into who He created us to be. And the scars of our sorrow, along with the impact of the pain, leave behind an anticipation of what is ahead. Consider these same verses as paraphrased in The Message:

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! – Romans 5:3-5 (The Message)

I must admit, this last year was not an easy one for me. As I experienced a new yet familiar loss, I found myself crying out to God. As I prayed, I found myself continually going back to these words, “I’m just so disappointed, Lord. I want to trust you with all of this pain and with what is ahead but I am struggling. I know you are good and I know you are faithful, but I need you to help me find my confidence in you again.” The God of all comfort used His Spirit at work in my heart to heal and to soothe as He reminded me of His love. I need the reminder of God’s faithfulness this Christmas season in different ways than I needed it last year, and perhaps you do also. Come, Jesus come.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. – Romans 5:6-11

Lord, thank you for your generosity daily poured into my life. I am so grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart and for the confident hope I have in you. Lord, continue to take the struggles I have experienced in this life and use them to create in me a new strength of character for the sake of your eternal purposes. I am coming to you for a transformational Christmas season as I soak in the story of the gift of your Son. May my heart be forever changed by the HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE reflected in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

​​But I am trusting you, O Lord,
saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands…
Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord! – Psalm 31:14-15a,23-24

Today’s Reading: Psalm 116:1-9

Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth. – Psalm 116:7-9

In September of 2015, my mother was diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia. Her stomach, pancreas and part of her intestines had passed through the tear into her lung cavity making it difficult for her to breathe. The surgery was risky and the surgeon warned her that she might not survive. After much prayer, a peace settled over my parents and the surgery was scheduled for April 6, 2016.

On the way to the hospital that morning, my parents turned on the radio as KLOVE played Lauren Daigle’s song “Trust in You”. They knew in that moment that they would trust in God even if He didn’t move the mountain they were asking Him to move.

Initially it seemed as if the surgery had gone well, although the surgeon found more damage than he expected to find. The next few days, my mother’s health continued to decline. Early on the morning of April 10th, we received the call that she was unresponsive. We rushed to her side and spent the day watching her condition worsen. My father, sister and I said our goodbyes as they rushed her back into surgery on that Sunday afternoon.

Here is my mother’s story in her own words of what happened over the next few days:

I remember getting on the surgical table on April 6th but I do not remember the days following. The doctors and my family say it is best that way. I will tell you that the surgeons have heard my testimony and did not dispute any of my experience. On April 10th, I was rushed back into surgery. I was bleeding internally. And that is where my story begins.

I saw a veil come down that separated me from everyone. I could hear my family and friends talking but I could not respond. The veil had a small ring at the top and a larger one that held the veil from touching me. I could feel my body shutting down. My skin seemed to draw tight and my joints felt stiff. Suddenly I was being spun very fast — first one way and then another. There were loud, horrible screeching sounds, high-pitched like metal on metal, and the heat was so intense.

After what seemed like a long time, the others with me went to the right and I was sent to the left alone. I could not see the faces of the others and I don’t know where they went. The fast movement slowed to a normal pace. It was still very hot and loud. I came to what appeared to be a red wall. It melted and became orange, which also melted. The things I saw on and between these walls were so horrible; I have shared those details with only a few people.

The walls held the image of faces. There was only one that I could identify even though I feel like they represented people from my past who had rejected God. The look on each face was terrifying, and it still haunts me to this day.

Once past the walls I was in an area of pure white. Everything was so bright — not like any light we have on earth and the white was more white. It amazes me that the light didn’t hurt my eyes as I looked right at it. There appeared something that looked like shiny porcelain. Could it have been the gates of pearl? I don’t know. I was led to an area filled with white fabric. It was beautiful, soft, flowing. Again, not like anything I had ever seen.

Next I was led to 6 figures. They were clothed in the same fabric I had just seen. The fabric covered the back of each head and draped over everything except the face. Even though I couldn’t see their faces I knew who they were. I was with my mother who died in 1957, my father who died in 2003, my brother who died in 1991, and there were three grandchildren who were lost before birth. There was no communication with any of them. It was here that Jesus became clear to me in the form of a great glowing light. He said, “Not yet. I’m not done with you yet. There is still work I want you to do.”

At some point while I was still under the veil, I was aware of a presence on my left side. A voice said, “We have to do it now.” The hand of that presence pierced my left side. The pain was so intense. That hand went between my ribs into my inner being. It was so real that even yet I look for a scar. There isn’t one.

Time is totally lost to me. Some time later, still in the hospital, there was an image before me that said, “In the beginning, I created the heaven and the earth.” Suddenly a great deal of clear refreshing water washed over me. It was so realistic that I felt my clothes and bed for moisture. They were dry.

An intense heat had been with me all this time. A wet cloth and fan did not help. After this encounter with the water, the heat was gone and has not returned. I feel like God knew I needed to be baptized again because I had literally been in or through hell and needed to be cleansed.

As I began to get better, I noticed that my right hand was no longer misshaped. I could open it all the way until it was straight and I could almost make a fist. I have had high blood pressure since 2010. Now I am off the medication.

God, I don’t know what it is You want me to do — the “work” I need to be doing. I don’t know why You chose to heal me and send me back to life with my family. All I know is that I’m telling my story to anyone who will listen. And I know when You tell me what I am to do, I will do it and ask no questions.

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy… “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the world.” – Romans 9:15-17

God was speaking to Moses but He is also speaking to me. I keep thinking, “I don’t know why He chose to let me live after my surgeries.” God is saying to me, “Don’t question God.” It was His choice to make. Rejoice and do whatever He directs. It isn’t for me to understand but to use this experience to glorify God. I’ve been home for over a year now but these experiences are just as real as can be. I love the Lord and I will serve Him until my work here is done.

“Praise His Holy Name! My heart is full and even overflowing with love for You. You have brought us through so much since April 6th. There are no words to adequately express my feeling of gratitude.” [words from her journal on 9.13.16]

Today’s Reading: Revelation 22; Psalm 27 & 30

COME TO ME

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” – John 7:37-38

Our Savior is drawing us to Himself. He is saying — Come to me. Start your day with me. Enter into my presence and let me lift your burdens and restore your strength. Take my yoke upon you and let me support you on life’s journey. I long to teach you and give you rest. Plant yourself along my riverbank and let your roots grow deep in me so that I can strengthen you and sustain you during difficult times, and so I can produce fruit in your life.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8

I AM COMING TO YOU.

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there – no need for lamps or sun – for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. – Revelation 22:1-5

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” – Revelation 22:7

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” – Revelation 22:12

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. – Revelation 22:17

COME, LORD JESUS!

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. – Revelation 22:20-21

Thank you for joining me on this chronological journey through the Bible. Tomorrow I will once again share my mother’s story of seeing heaven, as well as passing through hell. I pray God blesses you richly as you continue to daily spend time in His presence. On Sunday, we will begin a season of Advent, and then I plan to start back in Genesis with daily readings that will help me read through the Bible chronologically. I am asking God to lead me to the scriptures He wants me to study; I am asking the Lord to continue to do work on my heart through the power of His living Word.

I would love for you to continue to join me as we continue to journey through the scriptures. Each morning, I start my day with a hot cup of my morning coffee and time in the presence of the Savior. I am asking God once more to make His word alive and fresh, giving me new insights into familiar scriptures. Feel free to join me as we ask God to deepen our understanding of who He is and who He has created us to be.

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” – Psalm 27:8

Today’s Reading: Revelation 21; Psalm 28 & 29

As we near the end of the book of Revelation, we come to some of my favorite verses — the beautiful description of what it will be like when the presence of evil and sin are removed and Christ reigns victoriously! Can you picture it? Because we have never known a world without sin, hate, and disease, it is hard for us to grasp the fullness of what John is describing here. I encourage you to read the following verses aloud and let the joy of these truths wash over you.

LOOK! GOD’S HOME IS NOW AMONG HIS PEOPLE!

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever!”

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!…It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega — the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” – Revelation 21:1-7

The God of Creation, who existed before the world began and has always existed, is also the God of the end of life as we know it and the God of everything in between. He has plans for our life we cannot fathom and He has a new heaven waiting for us that is beyond what words can describe.

LOOK! I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!

The New Jerusalem will shine with the glory of God and sparkle like a precious stone. The city walls are made of jasper and the city of pure gold, as clear as glass. There will be beautiful stones of various colors making up the foundation of the city and the gates will be made of pearls. The main street going through the New Jerusalem will be made of pure gold. Let’s listen to John’s description:

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 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 will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of the day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty – but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. – Revelation 21:22-27

Lord, we have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. You are a good God and your faithfulness is beyond our comprehension. We thank you for sending your Spirit to live in us as we live out our covenant relationship with you. We look forward to the day when you will make your home among your people — when there will be no more death or pain, no more sorrow or tears. You are the Alpha and the Omega — the Beginning and the End. Your light will shine forever and there will be no more night. To you we give the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Tomorrow we will focus on the last chapter of Revelation, and then I will share my mother’s experience of heaven on Saturday. Thank you to all who have journeyed with me from Genesis to Revelation over the last 23 months. I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends, and that the presence of the Lord is evident to you today. May God bless you today, and may the season ahead be filled with the evidence of God’s goodness and His faithfulness. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace. – Psalm 29:10-11

Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. – Psalm 28:6-7

Today’s Reading: Revelation 20

Revelation has always been a difficult book for me to study but I have never doubted the truth in its words. I do not have a full understanding of what the final days will look like, but I do have faith that God will do exactly what He said He will do. And I am holding on to that promise in my life today — that God will do exactly what He wants to do, faithfully fulfilling His promises in me each day.

Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. – Revelation 20:1-6

THE DIFFICULT TIMES WE ENDURE DO NOT GO UNNOTICED BY GOD.

There is little information on what the 1000 years will look like and much disagreement among believers on the order in which all of this will take place. What we can take from this passage for certain is that God rewards those who remain faithful during even the worst of persecutions and trials. The difficult times we endure do not go unnoticed by God, nor are they forgotten. In the same way, those who do evil and who do not remain faithful are also noticed by God.

When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. He will go out to deceive the nations – called Gog and Magog – in every corner of the earth. He will gather together for battle – a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20:7-15

REBELLION AGAINST GOD DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED.

We serve a just God who deals accordingly with sin. Those who remain rebellious and unrepentant will suffer the consequences of their choices. Rebellion against God does not go unnoticed. God deals sternly with sin. Those who reject what Christ did for them when he died on the cross so they could receive salvation will experience another kind of rejection on the day of final judgment. Those who want to share in everything this world and Satan have to offer will also share the same fate — the eternal lake of fire.

Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone who has ears should listen and understand. – Matthew 13:40-43

He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. – Romans 2:7-8

This describes so many of our loved ones who are living for themselves, refusing to obey the truth laid out for them in God’s word. Do we think about their fate? Do we have a tendency to avoid tough conversations? I will be the first one to admit that it is uncomfortable to confront sin, but God also calls us to speak the truth in love. If we truly love them, we will pray the Spirit will lead us into opportunities to point them back to the light and away from the deceit of darkness. Let’s pray for God-appointed opportunities and Spirit-led conversations.

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? – James 2:14

Today’s Reading: Revelation 19:11-21

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. – Revelation 19:11-13

We are SO blessed to serve a God described as Faithful and True. This has absolutely been my experience throughout my life, during the good times and bad. He is fair and He wages a righteous war. He is indescribable and bigger than we can ever completely understand. His robe is dipped in blood and Isaiah helps us understand why.

HIS ROBE IS DIPPED IN BLOOD.

Why are your clothes so red, as if you have been treading out grapes?
“I have been treading the winepress alone; no one was there to help me.
In my anger I have trampled my enemies as if they were grapes.
In my fury I have trampled my foes.
Their blood has stained my clothes.” – Isaiah 63:2-3

He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. – Revelation 19:13b

His name is the word of God (NIV). John opened up his account of the life of Jesus with a description of Christ as “The Word”, which adds to the personal significance of this moment for John.

In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. – John 1:1-5

DRESSED IN THE FINEST OF PURE WHITE LINEN.

The armies of heaven, dressed in finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. – Revelation 19:14-16

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. – Hebrews 4:12-13

SHARPER THAN ANY TWO EDGED SWORD

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast — miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies. – Revelation 19:19-21

Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. – 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon — that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan — and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. – Revelation 20:1-3a

I love the visual descriptions of the beauty John saw in his revelation, but the harshness of the judgments and plagues are unpleasant to even consider. Yet in the midst of all the descriptions of evil unleashed, I love that it ends with the glorious victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how dark things get, darkness can NEVER extinguish the light. Christ has already won the victory and the day is coming when evil will be bound and locked up. Praise God!

Father God, my heart is heavy this morning for those who are currently being deceived by the evil one. I pray for those who are choosing to enjoy the pleasures of this world instead of believing in the truth and walking in the light. For their salvation, I pray this morning. I pray they will love and accept the truth that can save them. My prayer is that they will come to know You as the God who is Faithful and True. May the light of your love extinguish the darkness, opening their eyes to your goodness and your faithfulness. May I be an instrument of your truth and a conduit of your grace, clothed in your righteousness for your glory. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 17:1 – 19:10

As John’s vision continues in chapter 17, God’s Temple has been thrown wide open. He is no longer holding back His judgment because He is both a just God and a holy God (Rev. 15:5; 16:5).

And I heard a voice from the altar, saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, your judgments are true and just.” – Revelation 16:7

The world tries to entice us with all it has to offer. Society tries to pull us into a new concept of what is socially acceptable and moral. The enemy tries to tempt us to leave our life of righteous living to experience “the fun life”. But if we choose to experience all this world is bribing us with, if we choose to share in all it has to offer, we will also share in the judgment that will come down on the earth.

One of the seven angels who had poured the seven bowls came over and spoke to me. “Come with me,” he said, “and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality.” – Revelation 17:1-2

This world tries its best to appear beautiful, like the woman described in John’s vision when the angel carried him away in the Spirit to the wilderness.

There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it. The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality. A mysterious name was written on her forehead: Babylon the Great, the Mother of all Prostitutes and Obscenities in this world. I could see that she was drunk — drunk with the blood of God’s people who were witnesses for Jesus. – Revelation 17:3-6

The angel went on to explain that the scarlet beast who once was but now isn’t will come out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction. The seven heads represent the seven hills where the woman rules, and they also represent seven kings — five who have already fallen, one who currently reigns, and one who is still to come (whose reign will be short). This beast on which the woman sits will be the eighth king. The ten horns represent ten kings who will each reign over a kingdom while the beast reigns. They will give their power and authority to the beast, joining him in battle against the Lamb.

“Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” – Revelation 17:14

The beast and its ten horns hate the prostitute, yet they give her authority. God has placed a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire. This woman, this prostitute, is the great city that will rule over the kings of this world.

Then an angel came down with great authority and the earth grew bright with his splendor. He announced that the great city had fallen. This city had become a home for demons and a hideout for every foul spirit. Merchants had become rich and nations had fallen because of her passions.

Today’s culture portrays this as the good life, but in reality it is grotesque and cruel and uncaring. Those who drink of her passionate immorality and those who have committed adultery with her will fall with her. But there is a heavenly song calling all to flee from the sins of this world and the glory of its riches:

“Come away from her, my people.
Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her.
For her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God remembers her evil deeds.
Do to her as she has done to others.
Double her penalty for all her evil deeds.
She brewed a cup of terror for others, so brew twice as much for her.
She glorified herself and lived in luxury, so match it now with torment and sorrow.
She boasted in her heart, ‘I am queen on my throne.
I am no helpless widow, and I have no reason to mourn.’
Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day — death and mourning and famine.
She will be completely consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.” – Revelation 18:4-8

While the merchants grieved the destruction of their profit center, an angel picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone and threw it into the ocean. Just like that, the great city will be thrown down and never found again. The light of its lamp will go out, never to shine again.

The world with all of its riches tries to make itself appear so pleasing and wonderful, but it is evil and cares nothing for those who get trapped by its pleasures. The world invites us to sit at its banquet tables but there is another banquet table worth turning down the indulgences of the world for. I long to sit at the wedding feast of the Lamb and hear a thunderous voice from the throne say:

“Praise the Lord!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.
She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”
For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. – Revelation 19:6b-8

Lord, thank you for showing us the beauty of ALL you have to offer us. The treasures of this world pale in comparison to YOU. Lord, show us what you have next for us. Reveal to us the good deeds you want to accomplish through us and ignite a fire in us that draws others to you and away from the world. Praise the Lord, for the Lord our God reigns. Let us experience His joy and rejoice in all He has done for us, giving honor to the Lamb of God! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 15:5-16:21; Isaiah 49

Then I looked and saw that the Temple in heaven, God’s Tabernacle, was thrown wide open. The seven angels who were holding the seven plagues came out of the Temple. They were clothed in spotless white linen with gold sashes across their chests. Then one of the four living beings handed each of the seven angels a gold bowl filled with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. The Temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power. No one could enter the Temple until the seven angels had completed pouring out the seven plagues. – Revelation 15:5-8

SEVEN BOWLS CONTAINING GOD’S WRATH

The seven angels were positioned to carry out God’s judgment. At the sound of His mighty voice calling out from the Temple each angel left the Temple and poured out the contents of his bowl upon the earth.

ONE. The first angel left the Temple and poured out the bowl of God’s wrath on the earth. Everyone who had the mark of the beast and who had worshipped his statue broke out in sores. The adjectives used by various translations describe these sores as ugly, festering, grievous, horrible, disgusting, malignant, noisome, foul and painful.

TWO. The second angel poured out his bowl on the earth and it became like the blood of a corpse, causing everything in the sea to die — every fish, every mammal, every plant, every living thing. Consider the stench of death and the loss of everything of beauty in the sea; consider the lack of food supply caused by this plague.

THREE. The third angel poured out his bowl on the earth and all of the rivers and springs of water turned to blood. No more fresh water to drink; no more supply of fish in the rivers.

And I heard the angel who had authority over all water saying,
“You are just, O Holy One, who is and who always was,
because you have sent these judgments.
Since they shed the blood
of your holy people and your prophets,
you have given them blood to drink.
It is their just reward.”
And I heard a voice from the altar, saying,
“Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty,
your judgments are true and just.” – Revelation 16:5-7

FOUR. The fourth angel poured out the contents of his bowl on the sun, intensifying its heat and scorching everyone with its fire. The people cursed the name of God in response, refusing to repent of their sins and turn to God. They chose to be angry with God rather than surrendering to His glory.

FIVE. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, plunging his kingdom into darkness. All who had become subjects of the beast ground their teeth in anguish, cursing the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They, too, refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God.

SIX. The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, causing the bed of the river to dry up so that armies could easily march from the east to the west. John saw three evil spirits resembling frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. These demonic spirits had the ability to work miracles, gathering the rulers of the world together at a place called Armageddon in order to battle against the Lord on the great judgment day of our God Almighty.

“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” – Revelation 16:15

SEVEN. When the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, a mighty shout came from the throne in the Temple — “It is finished!” Lightning flashed and thunder rolled as the earth began to shake. The city of Babylon split into three sections, and many other cities across the nations fell into heaps of rubble. God remembered the sins of Babylon and made her drink the cup of his fierce wrath. Every island disappeared and all the mountains were leveled. Hailstones weighing up to seventy-five pounds began to fall from the sky onto the people below. And still the people cursed God.

This passage reminds me of the moment Jesus died on the cross as he shouted, “It is finished!” At the moment his spirit was released, the curtain of the Temple sanctuary was torn in two, from the top to the bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs were emptied. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead with no explanation except to display the power of our God (Matthew 27:50-53).

Lord, we surrender to your authority and submit our lives to you. May our hearts never become so hardened that we stubbornly refuse to give you the glory for everything in our lives — the good and the bad, the easy and the hard. Father God, we place our trust in all that your heart desires, and we look ahead to our eternal reward with great anticipation. We ask for your protection against the presence of evil at work in this world today. We pray for those in this world who are still struggling against you or lacking the faith to believe. May their experience of you today draw them closer, and may they experience the joy of your salvation soon. Amen.

But the Lord says,
“The captives of warriors will be released,
and the plunder of tyrants will be retrieved.
For I will fight those who fight you,
and I will save your children.
I will feed your enemies with their own flesh.
They will be drunk with rivers of their own blood.
All the world will know that I, the Lord,
am your Savior and your Redeemer,
the Mighty One of Israel.” – Isaiah 49:25-26

Today’s Reading: Revelation 14:14 – 15:4; Matthew 13:1-43; Exodus 15:1-21

As John’s Revelation continued, I wonder if he remembered back to a day when he sat by the lake with Jesus. A large crowd had gathered around Jesus — so large that he got into a boat and began to teach the people as they stood on the shore. He spoke in parables, first of a farmer planting and then of a harvest that comes at the end of the world.

The first parable is one of my favorites. The farmer planted seed in his field and some fell on the footpath where birds came and ate it. Other seeds fell on soil so shallow that the seeds were unable to grow deep roots and they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a great harvest.

“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” – Matthew 13:9

The seed on the footpath represents those who hear but don’t understand. The seed on shallow soil represents those who hear the message, receiving it with joy but never growing deep roots. They fall away as soon as problems come or persecution intensifies. The seed among thorns represents those who hear God’s word but the message is crowded out by the worries of life and the lure of wealth; therefore, no fruit is produced. The seed on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of righteousness. Then Jesus told this parable:

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

“‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.

“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

“‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’” – Matthew 13:24-30

Perhaps John was the disciple who spoke up later, after the crowds had left, and asked Jesus to explain the parable.

“The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” – Matthew 13:37-43

I wonder if the memory of this day came back to John as he stood before the throne and watched the Son of Man seated on a white cloud — a crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. An angel came from the Temple and shouted:

“Swing the sickle, for the time of harvest has come; the crop on earth is ripe.” So the one sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the whole earth was harvested. After that, another angel came from the Temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel, who had power to destroy with fire, came from the altar. He shouted to the angel with the sharp sickle, “Swing your sickle now to gather the clusters of grapes from the vines of the earth, for they are ripe for judgment.” So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and loaded the grapes into the great winepress outside the city, and the blood flowed from the winepress in a stream about 180 miles long and as high as a horse’s bridle. – Revelation 14:15-20

Then all the people who had been victorious over the beast held harps and sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.” – Revelation 15:3-4

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord:
“I will sing to the Lord,
for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt him!…” – Exodus 15:1-2

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” – Revelation 3:22

Today’s Reading: Revelation 13:1-14:13; Psalm 140

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison.
Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. – Revelation 13:10b

ENDURE PERSECUTION PATIENTLY

As the dragon stood on the shore beside the sea, a hideous beast arose from the water. The dragon gave the beast his own power, his own throne and great authority. The beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God and was given authority to do whatever he wanted for 42 months. The beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And all the people who belonged to the world worshiped the beast.

Then a second beast came up out of the earth performing miracles that deceived all the people who belong to this world. The beast commanded the people to make a statue of the first beast then commanded all the people to worship the statue, which had come to life and now had the ability to speak. The ability of a statue to come to life used to sound impossible, but with the technological advances of robots and artificial intelligence, it seems like we are already positioned for such a day. Then the people were given a mark on their right hand or forehead — the mark of the beast (13:17).

Then John saw the lamb standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name on their foreheads. They had kept themselves pure and had been purchased as a special offering to God and to the Lamb. Then the angels proclaimed to all the people of the earth to fear God and worship Him only. They foretold the destruction of Babylon for forcing the nations to drink of her passionate immorality. Those who have the mark of the beast will drink of God’s anger and they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur forever and ever (14:1-11).

This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” – Revelation 14:12-13

ENDURE PERSECUTION PATIENTLY

I look around at everything happening in the world and I ask how we got to this point. John’s Revelation holds the answer. For a time the defeated Satan is allowed to unleash his anger on God’s people. God cares for His people and provides escape for them at times (12:6,14), but we live with the understanding that we must endure persecution patiently, maintaining our faith in God at all times. And for this allegiance to Jesus, we will be blessed and there will be rest. And we hold this promise from God:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your protection and for your care over creation. We praise you, for you are good and holy. We look to you for guidance and wisdom during this cultural season of disregard for your Lordship and disdain for your holy ways. Thank you for daily giving us the strength to stand up to the temptations of this world, enduring persecution patiently as we wait for your return. Give us wisdom and discernment as this world postures itself for the end times. Open our minds so that we can distinguish between good and evil. May we keep our eyes focused on you and our hearts bowed in surrender to Jesus. Amen.

I said to the Lord, “You are my God!”
Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!
O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me,
you protected me on the day of battle.
Lord, do not let evil people have their way.
Do not let their evil schemes succeed,
or they will become proud. – Psalm 140:6-8