Today’s Reading: Genesis 9-11:26, Psalm 75

After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. – Genesis 9:20-22

This mistake changed the course of Ham’s life. It was an issue of disloyalty and selfishness, the heart of gossip. Instead of taking action out of respect for his father, Ham went outside and told his brothers, who took care of covering their father. Ham shirked his responsibility and brought shame to his father. Noah cursed Ham’s descendants to a life of servanthood (9:26-27) – if you don’t want to help take care of family, you will spend the rest of your life with no choice but to take care of others.

Ham was not the only one of Noah’s descendants to think too much of himself. Ham had four sons but it was his son Canaan on whom the curse landed. With the curse of servanthood did not come a humble spirit. The desire to be famous and rise above the curse remained. The tendency to think too much of themselves remained. This is evidenced in the life of Nimrod, who became a heroic warrior. His descendants thought too much of themselves. They settled in Babylon, which became the epicenter of ARROGANCE and idolatry. Their desire was to build a name for themselves, for their own glory instead of for the glory and purposes of God.

With a shortage of stone in that area, the people used innovation and created bricks. Rather than recognizing this as a gift from God, they found excitement in the idea that they might become famous. If they could build a great tower made of bricks, the world would hear and see how wonderful they were. People would come from all around to see this tower that represented their greatness. They would become famous and there would be no need to ever leave their earthly kingdom.

Consider the sin of Adam and Eve. The serpent tempted them with the possibility of becoming like God. Eve was easily convinced by the serpent and her desire for a wisdom like God’s caused her to sin. Adam witnessed the whole thing and joined in this self-ambitious sin. They were banished from the garden, made to leave the area they had come to love.

Compare the sin of Adam & Eve to the sin of those building the tower of Babel. The people of Babylon desired to be as powerful and famous as God. Their longing for fame and fortune was stronger than their love for God. Their desire to stay there and not be scattered all over the world resulted in just that – banishment and the scattering of people across the region.

Our salvation depends on having a humble and repentant heart. If we think too much of ourselves or of what we have accomplished, we begin to depend less on God and more on what we think we can do on our own. When confronted with temptation and sin, we arrogantly choose to build our own tower of Babel.

Today may we see every good and wonderful thing in our lives as a gift from you, God. May every blessing be evidence of your generosity. Forgive us for our moments of pride. We long to be servants of your Kingdom rather than building our own fame and fortune. Help us to see the needs of others and respond with a heart of love.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 6-8, Psalm 12

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on earth. It broke his heart. – Genesis 6:5-6

Not only does God direct us not to sin and warn us of the temptation of sin, it breaks his heart when we reject Him and choose to sin. The God of the universe cares enough to grieve when we push Him away in our attempts to live our own life and chase after all the world has to offer. He has a wonderful plan of salvation He was willing to sacrifice His Son in order to offer, and it saddens Him when we push His plan aside to make room for our own.

God sees each decision made and every sin committed. In Genesis, God grieved over His new creation and their lack of love for their Creator. He saw the selfish desires of their heart and how quickly they gravitated toward evil. But He also saw the heart of one who kept his eyes focused on God, who chose to walk in close fellowship with Him.

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time. God chose to wipe all living creatures from the earth because of the violence that was everywhere. But, because of the faithfulness of one man, God created a plan to spare Noah and his family.

God told Noah that he was going to cover the earth with a flood. Noah had never experienced a flood but he trusted God. God told Noah to build a boat. Noah had never seen a boat but he trusted God. Everything God told him to do, Noah did exactly as God commanded him (6:22; 7:5). And everything God said He was going to do, He did – in His time.

It rained for 40 days and the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days. After 5 months, Noah released a bird to see if the floodwaters on the earth had dried up. But the bird came back because there was no place for it to land. It was not God’s time. Noah sent out a dove, but again the bird came back. It was not God’s time. Seven days later, Noah released another dove and it came back with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. It was still not God’s time but it was a sign from God that the time was drawing near. Seven days later, Noah released a third dove and it did not come back. Still Noah waited patiently for God’s instructions, which came in God’s time. Noah and his family left the boat when God said to leave the boat.

The life we choose to live is never outside of HIS SIGHT. Our faith grows as we choose to live our life for HIS PURPOSES and trust IN HIS TIME, believing that He is a God who keeps His promises. From that faith comes the gift of His righteousness.

The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. – Psalm 12:6

Father God, thank you for having a plan and a purpose that goes beyond my own understanding. Help me to daily trust you enough to wait for your perfect plan in your perfect time. Thank you for today’s reminder that you are a God who keeps His promises, a God whose heart I can trust. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 4-5, Psalm 37

“With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man.” – Genesis 4:1b

Eve gave birth to a son and her response was to recognize the wonderful gift God had given her – the blessing to have another life growing inside of her. When given the opportunity to give a gift to the Lord, that son who was now a man did not respond with the same heart of gratitude as his mother. He chose not to give his best to the Lord. His younger brother, Abel, gave the best he had to offer and God was pleased with his gift, while Cain sulked in anger to God’s less enthusiastic response to his half-hearted effort.

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” – Genesis 4:6-7

Often we make the choice of giving God less than He deserves from us. When things do not go as we want them to go, we get angry with God and wonder why He is not meeting our need to be recognized or fulfilled. We live as though God exists to reward our small contribution or to rain down His blessings on us instead of living life for the purpose of glorifying God every day.

God warned Cain that his anger was inviting sin to come and control him. He commanded Cain to subdue the sinful anger and stay in control, but Cain chose to wrap himself in self-pity. In response to his jealousy of Abel’s choice to do what was right, Cain did what was wrong – he killed his brother.

– Genesis 4:9

Cain was given the choice to willingly do what is right or to refuse to do what is right. He chose the latter and God punished him for his sins. When confronted with his sin, Cain could have humbly chosen repentance and confession. Instead he chose anger again. Sin began to control Cain and God punished him for his selfish behavior. Not only did Cain have to leave his home and his family, he had to leave God’s presence.

Father God, thank you for the grace that allows me to spend time in your presence this morning. With a humble heart, I confess to you the moments when I have allowed jealousy and self-pity to creep into my thoughts, like old friends willing to help me justify my poor attitude. Thank you for the reminder to live a life that focuses on pleasing you instead of pleasing myself. Give me a heart of generosity towards you and towards those you would like to minister to through my life.

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. – Psalm 37:8-9

Today’s Reading: Genesis 2-3, Psalm 16

GOD RESTED

On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. – Genesis 2:2-3

I am currently halfway through my sabbatical, a time of resting from work and a time of allowing God to restore me for His purposes. I find it helpful to pull away from the stress and get re-centered. I have spent time looking back on where God has brought me from and resting in the knowledge that He has been extremely good to me. I needed this sabbatical if for no other reason than to remind me of the importance of sabbatical moments. What a gift God gives us when He calls us to be intentional with our sabbath each week.

With the need to rest, comes the need to sleep. Consider the gift of sleep and how God provides for us while we are laying still. It was while Adam was sleeping that God provided a companion for him. It is in our moments of stillness and rest that God often communicates with us, giving us clarity of thought and restoring us for what lies ahead.

GOD PROVIDED

God provided companionship for Adam and gave him a beautiful place to live – a place where God Himself would walk. God called man to reign over all He had created and to watch over it, but He told him not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan desired to take all God had provided and convince Eve that it was not enough, and that is exactly what he did.

The serpent convinced Eve that she needed what God had not provided, that she deserved more. Eve had the opportunity to rest in God’s provision and follow His instructions, yet she chose to find beauty in what she could not have. Adam and Eve learned the lesson that there is no lasting joy in stepping away from God’s plan and they suffered the consequences of their sin.

Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” – Genesis 3:13a

GOD PUNISHED

Sin. To know what you ought to do but choose not to do it; to choose to do what God has made clear you are not allowed to do. One of the first lessons we can learn from the Bible is that God is a holy God who punishes us when we disobey. He has a beautiful life planned for us and we miss out on that plan when we willfully choose to follow our own sinful desires instead of walking in companionship with Him.

Father God, we thank you for making your plan for our life clear to us. Thank you for calling us to walk with you, following the instructions you have clearly laid out for us in your word. We thank you for your provision and for your restoration as we make it a priority this year to spend time each day in your presence. May our focus remain on you as we find beauty in what you have for us.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 1 and Psalm 104

I think that beginnings are my favorite. I love the first chapter of a new book, the first page of an empty journal and the first hour of every day. I love newborn babies, sunrises on the beach and the first sip of a hot cup of coffee. And out of all the days of the year, January 1st is one of my favorites.

As much as the last day of the year is a day of looking back in celebration, the first day of the year is a great opportunity to look forward to what is ahead. It is a new page of a new chapter, the opportunity to write a new story in our walk with God. So let’s begin a new journey through God’s story starting in Genesis.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. – Genesis 1:1-2

A few days ago, our family climbed aboard a boat before sunrise and ventured out into the Pacific Ocean in hopes of seeing humpback whales. The sky was dark and the ocean was peaceful. I was reminded of the beauty of creation and the power of our Creator. God was present. As the sun began to peek over the mountain and cast its glow across the water, I thanked God for His presence in this world and the evidence of His hand at work in all I could see and hear.

I am reminded of that early morning boat ride as I read the first chapter of Genesis. I try to imagine what it was like when darkness covered the deep waters. I consider the relationship of the Trinity as the Spirit hovered over the surface of the water, God spoke the world into existence, and the Word gave life to everything that was created. The harmony of Creation is a beautiful thing to consider.

The world was created through the act of separation. God separated the light from the darkness, which created what we know as day and night. He separated the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth, creating the sky. When God separated the waters of the earth, He created land and sea; when He separated the lights in the sky, He created a cadence of days, seasons and years. He created the animals giving some the sea to swim, others the land to roam and others He gave the sky as their playground. God created by separating.

God is daily creating us to be who He wants us to be, yet we also daily experience a separation that sin in this world causes between creation and its Creator. I find peace in imagining God’s Spirit hovering over creation just as I find peace in the knowledge that He is present in my life, hovering over and around me each day. Each day is a mixture of feeling the separation that exists until Jesus comes again, while also feeling the closeness of His involvement in my life. Separate, yet together. Distant, yet close.

Father God, thank you for sending your Spirit to be with us. I praise you for the beauty of your creation. I trust that this time of separation from you has purpose; I pray you will continue to mold me and shape me for your perfect plan. Lord, I pray that you will be glorified in my life in 2019. I pray that you will be pleased with my life and that you will be present each morning as I soak in your scriptures.

May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made! The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his touch. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord…Let all that I am praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! – Psalm 104:31-35

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 still haunt me.

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.

The 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 20-22

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. – Rev. 20:4-6

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

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 when he died on the cross so they could receive salvation will experience 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

Now read this 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? I encourage you to read the following verses aloud and let the joy of these truths wash over you.

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.” – Rev. 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 these words can even describe:

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.

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. – Rev. 21:22-27

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. – Rev. 22:1-5

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” – Rev. 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.” – Rev. 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. – Rev. 22:17

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. – Rev. 22:20-21

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. In 2016, the reality of that truth became very real when my mother passed through death to life before Jesus sent her back so He can complete everything He wants to do through her. God allowed my mother to see and hear the torture of Hell before everything went white and Jesus Himself stood before her.

The rest of my mother’s story will be shared tomorrow in my New Year’s Eve blog. Thank you for all who have journeyed with me from Genesis to Revelation this year. On January 1st, I will begin another 365-day walk through the Bible. I invite you to join me again. I am asking God to give me new perspective as I study His word over the next 12 months, although much of this 365-day devotional might look the same as last year. Whatever you choose to do, I encourage you to continue to spend time in God’s word everyday. Allow His presence to do a work in your heart as He speaks to you through His written Word.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 19

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. That has absolutely been my experience in 2018, 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.

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

John was the disciple who 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

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. – Rev. 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 who we are accountable. – Hebrews 4:12-13

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. – Rev. 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. – Rev. 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!

In the meantime, I pray for those who are currently being deceived. 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 them, 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 our God who is Faithful and True.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 16 – 18

Judgment is not an easy topic to study. As I read through these chapters of Revelation, I look for ways to apply it to my life today.

The graphic descriptions of the harsh judgment that will be poured out on the earth and on those who have the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue make me cringe. God’s Temple, His Tabernacle, 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.” – Rev. 17:1-2

This world tries its best to appear beautiful, like the woman described in the next verse: 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 (17:4). 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 song coming from heaven – a 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.” – Rev. 18:4-8

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 voice from the throne say,

“Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”

Then I heard again what sounded like a shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:

“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. – Rev. 19:5-8

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. As we wrap up our Christmas celebrations and begin thinking of the new year, 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 14 – 15

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 gathered around Jesus – so large that Jesus 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 is planting seed in his field and some falls on the footpath where birds come and eat it. Other seed falls on soil so shallow that the seed are unable to grow deep roots and they die. Other seed falls among thorns that grow up and choke the tender plants. Still other seed falls on fertile soil and produces 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 grow deep roots. They fall away as soon as problems or persecution comes. 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, so 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

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