The Incomparable Christ

After a couple weeks of what I call "corrective reading", where I see to focus on on the corrections demanded of us in the Bible (all very much needed), I tend to turn to what I might call a "feel good book". Usually, that's Philippians fo rme, yet yesterday I opened to Colossians and read that epistle. It is indeed good to study, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, and yet these epistles are very much designed to read straight through, to get the big picture. And along the way, with Christ clearly square in the center of this one, one can't help but pick up on those "feel good" commands, suggestions, or simply the holy attributes of Christ. So many good things we can be busying ourselves with.

Chapter 1, for instance. Praying always. Rejoicing over hearing of the faith of others. Seeing the gospel bearing fruit in ourselves and others. The quest for spiritual knowledge and understanding. Giving thanks to the Father for our inheritance, which we "already, but not yet" have.

Christ, the Creator, rescued us! He made us to no longer be enemies of God, by His work on the cross and our acceptance of that gift. He has made us all ministers of His gospel. That former "mystery" is now revealed. Christ gives the hope of glory. What a great epistle to bring us into the Christmas season. Join me in thanking Him today.

Christian Honor

Proverbs 29 presents more warnings and instructions, offering a variety of alternating negatives and positives as guides for wise living. James 4 offers similar advice, and I know I cannot write day after day on James, even though he never gets old! This morning I did purpose to focus on the many positive commands in Proverbs 29, knowing that if we can simply make time to manage these aspects of the Christian life, we leave very little if any time for the sinful desires that tend to captivate us.

Go through the chapter, and note those positives. Here are some I jotted down, regarding wisdom and/or righteousness, either direct commands or attributes of the wise/righteous (God-fearing):
The man who loves it makes his father glad
Sings and rejoices
Turns away anger
Is concerned about the rights of the blameless
Holds back one’s temper
Will see the fall of the wicked

Honor used to be important, and we are told here that the humble will obtain honor. Honor these days is talked about nostalgically, something that fits the old, the seasoned, the old-timers, those from the “old school”. Our lives in Christ need to be no less honorable, and there needs to be honor restored to being Christian, to take stands for what is right by Him.

Do we exalt ourselves? Absolutely not. “Trust in the Lord”, that is a command which will result in exaltation by God Himself.

The “upright”, those God-fearers are hated by (“abominable to”) the wicked. Jesus Himself warned of that hatred, since they hated Him first.

James, in chapter 4 reminds us up front that the quarrels and conflicts we find all around us can be attributed to our own pleasure-seeking. His recommendation?
Submit to God
Resist the devil
Draw near to God
Cleanse, purify
Humble yourselves

I and you alike know right from wrong. It is the choosing that gets us. As we walk in the Way of the Truth and the Life, let’s strive to choose wisely, let’s begin anew today.

Living for Him = Seeking His Wisdom

Wisdom and understanding: can we ever get enough of both? It was interesting this morning to compare three wisdom texts, Proverbs 24, James 3, and Psalm 90.

When people are wronged, oppressed, maligned, we certainly pray for God to deliver them. Perhaps we even seek retribution ourselves; even if we do not, we can tend to feel indignant toward those “oppressors”. God assures us that He will deal with them eventually. We would do best to let Him be that arbiter of justice while we go about our search for His wisdom and understanding.

God does warn those who prey upon the righteous. Again, He will deal with those predators, and the harsh reality is that they have no future, no hope. What more could I possibly do regarding vengeance? I would only be trying to please myself. God’s holy plan is sufficient.

Fear the Lord, judge fairly. The rules are simple.

We all need to be much more diligent in life, when it comes to living for Him. My prayer is that my life, your life, never becomes metaphoric to match that in verses 30-34. Now is the time we have been given to get to work.

James, in Chapter 3 chimes in. This time, my focus shifted to the second half of the chapter. We covered the tongue and related warnings last time we were here. James challenges us to look for wisdom from above. The wisdom of the world is demonic, deceptive. Compare that to God’s: pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, unwavering, no hypocrisy. How do we attain to that wisdom? It certainly starts with His Word, and that healthy Fear of Him.

I then went to Psalm 90, an interesting perspective on wisely dealing with what God has for us. This psalm was written by Moses in the wilderness when Israel was wandering. Previously, Israel had decided not to go into the Promised Land, fearing the inhabitants as opposed to trusting in God. Their judgment was to wander in the wilderness until all those in that adult generation had died off. 38 years of wandering (it took about 1.5 - 2 years to trek from Egypt to Israel as God directed and prepared them), 40 years total. Most conservative scholars estimate the number of those adults was approximately 2 million. In 38 years, there are nearly 20 million minutes, so every 10 minutes, on average, someone was dying. That is a great deal of grief and stress to deal with, and in the middle of that, Moses disobeys, strikes a rock, and is also banned from entering the Land.

So, what does Moses write? “You are God.” “Teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom.” Read through that psalm, listen to Moses’ prayer in the face of what he was dealing with. He knows the reason for the judgment, and never slights God in the least for His decisions. Rather, Moses continues to seek wisdom, to the end of His days.

SO WHAT…?

So, too, must we sek wisdom, God's, that is.

So, think about it. If we truly live for God, we will live wisely. If we are not living wisely, according to God’s commands, then we are not truly living for God. In short, we cannot say we live for him, and then not seek His wisdom. We cannot live with a mediocre fear of the Lord and yet say that we live for Him. Please pray and strive along with me to better fear Him and live for Him.

Priority in Life

Sometimes, OK, probably often, the simplest truths are the most meaningful, and even the toughest to maintain faithfully.

In Proverbs 23, in the middle of some basic "do's" and "don'ts" appears "Live in the fear of the Lord...ALWAYS. (caps and ellipses added). Do I live in that healthy fear of the Lord? Am I striving to master the basics?

Soon after this appears the best investment advice I can find. "Buy wisdom, do not sell it." This is the best commodity to acquire and hold onto. So what have I "bought? What do I live for? And if I am in the Word regularly, I'm in the right place to "shop".

Wealth, drink, food, property, all seem to be hot items here, highly sought-after items. Yet wealth flies away like the eagle. Plentiful drink and food can make us selfish, or even feed our desire for more, as we slowly lose our pursuit of the Lord. Naturally, these items are not bad in and of themselves. Yet we are cautioned to love God more.

We can also pursue wisdom, instruction, understanding, and the degree to which we do so will guide how we live. Those we seek to reach for Christ will watch how we prioritize. They will watch how we make life choices, how we raise our children, how we deal with money and property and all those "things" that are inherent to this world. It's not having "stuff" that is the concern, but rather what we do with it, from our house, to our family, to our leisure time, to our thoughts words and deeds.

This proverb writer (likely Solomon) wants as much as anything for his son to live wisely. If we do not train our kids to live wisely (not just obey), then why have them?

James, in chapter 2 talks on wealth, reminding the church to be impartial to those wealthy or poor, for their hearts are what matter. Yeah, James read Proverbs, I'm certain.

He speaks on being selfless, if I can help someone, I should do so, and not wait.

He speaks on proper faith, proper fear of the Lord, after all, even demons believe in God. It is this proper faith that will guide my works, my daily living, and I should be able to look back each day and see how my life is prioritized. In short, I must live a life that shows people Christ.

Learn and Grow to be Spiritually Rich

I am beginning to better appreciate what an apostle like James thought about the Proverbs. Today, after reading Proverbs 22, I went to James 1, and verses which were not as impactful the last time demanded my attention. OK, I’ll explain. And along the way, the "SO WHAT" is clear.

In Proverbs 22, among many other topics, the writer speaks of humility and its reward along with the fear of the Lord. He speaks of thorns, those trouble spots in life that hurt us when we are not careful, the grief we bring on ourselves, might be a better way to put it. If we guard ourselves, we will be far from those thorns. We have in our realm the ability to make choices, as well as the ability to deal with the associated repercussions.

And if I am to live in such a spiritual manner, I am also to teach my children likewise. I can’t train them to be perfect, yet I can train them to understand spiritual ways, to understand that choices matter and how to own them. Whether or not they practice them, as they grow up, they will remember these principles.

So is my spiritual lifestyle one which strives for purity of heart? Is my speech gracious? Or am I more likely to associate with a deceptive lifestyle of that of the adulteress, or perhaps the foolish, even those who oppress the poor. II will see a result of being spiritually full or empty, the writer refers to this as rich or poor.

How do we manage to do all these spiritual activities? LEARN and GROW! And why? So that our trust will be in the Lord. In verses 20 and 21, the writer states as much, explaining some reasoning behind the writing. We need to be able to correctly answer those with questions, moving beyond feelings, to get to the heart of matters.

Verse 24 begins a short list of personal associations we would be best to avoid: the angry, the hot-tempered, those who give pledges (promises that are never fulfilled), and who cheat to get even more (landowners would try to move boundary markers in the night to expand their land). If these are our associations, and correction and growth are never offered or challenged, (remember, we are to guard ourselves) we may end up spiritually poor. Rather, such individuals do need our encouragement, and they also need to grow. They need our help alongside them, and they need to own their choices and strive to increase their fear and trust of the Lord. Further, I must check my self against that list, and see where I need to improve and grow.

So I mentioned James, and I read him every day now. How would he parallel Proverbs 22 in his first chapter?

Endurance, patience, in short, be complete! If we lack wisdom, and much of the caution from the proverb speaks of gaining wisdom, then we are to ask of God. He gives generously, just as we are to be generous. He’ll show us how to get it done.

James speaks of the rich and poor in verse 9, and the comparison to the proverb is unmistakable. Where are our hearts? How do we seek to cope with our own struggles, and do we seriously seek to improve them, so they do not lead to more thorns in our metaphorical path of life?

If we truly seek and desire to grow, then James offers a simple reminder: “in humility, receive the word.” If we can get into and stay in His word, God offers wisdom, and abundantly so.

Listen, Understand, Grow Up!

In chapter 19 of Proverbs, much warning is given toward issues such as false witness, against anger. It is always easy to focus on the “shouldn’ts”, and let’s be honest, we need them. Though I never personally calculated this, I am told approximately 70% of the bible is corrective in nature. I have recently been picking up on these corrections in Proverbs, the warnings and admonishments, and I also try to regularly encourage people to focus on the things we SHOULD be doing. If we did them more, we would have so much less time and energy to do the “old self” things; in fact, they would eventually drop off the radar, as we could fill our time with those positive activities and mindsets.

For instance, in this chapter, look at some of the positive actions we can just as easily pursue. “Get wisdom”, “discretion”, “Slow to anger”, “overlook a transgression”. If we could just put these together, we would wisely and discretely be slow to anger while we overlook transgressions of those around us. Sounds easy, huh? OK, let’s get right on that. And that’s only one little area.

I also spent some time looking into this notion of a prudent wife. Prudent, I can’t say I have ever called my wife that. However, a wife who is wise in living, one who is viewed as a valued asset to a family (“asset” in the realm of adding significant value), is indeed a tremendous blessing from the Lord. And I certainly consider myself blessed.

Some other positives that God tells us to do or be likewise: “gracious”, “listen to counsel”, “kindness”. Building on previous days’ readings (being encouraging, guarding the tongue) we could all do with a little more kindness and grace toward each other, to our families, to our kids and co-workers. These days, people really don’t want advice, because they don’t like what they hear. That is unfortunate, as we can find the counsel we all need, if we would only open ourselves to it. It is much easier to simply stay living in our current frustration that to take steps to improve, thus the human condition, and thus the need for reliance upon the Spirit’s work in our lives. Here’s a vote for heeding that Spirit’s advice.

After all, one can only reprove or help a person who truly wants and seeks understanding and wisdom. What a great goal to “sleep satisfied”, which comes from that healthy fear of the Lord we have all read about. That fear and our seeking understanding are so closely related.

Never, never, never stop listening. To do so would be to stray away from knowledge. Sadly, many have so strayed.

Quickly, jump to James 5, the last verse. Just as Proverbs 19 stated about overlooking a transgression, so James speaks on “turning a sinner from the error of his way.” When done in love and proper context, this is a powerful tool in the hands of a believer. It takes one to graciously offer correction, and also one to graciously accept that. That, my friends, is a tough balance. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to grow up. That is great advice, and that is the “SO WHAT” for today.

Oppose Pride, Strive for Humility

As I read through Proverbs, I am continually reminded that I must pick a side: wisdom or folly, wicked or righteous. Chapter 18 brings to light the fool’s lips, the fool’s mouth, and the words of the whisperer. These words are described as a dainty morsel. I get the image of a delicious piece of chocolate which tastes so good, so easy to indulge in. Yet, if I indulge in such words, if I even allow the “whisperer” to continue, some potentially irreparable harm can be the result.

To the reader at that time, wealth would have been compared to a strong city with high walls. Yet we are told a strong tower is the name of the Lord. Simply put, true riches are found in the Lord, the strongest of all.

Put humility before honor. Often this is much easier said than done, and it is crucial to a successful spiritual life.

Above I mentioned potential harm from the misuse of communication. I read here that an offended brother can be more difficult to “win” than a strong city. In battle, a strong city was a tremendous obstacle. To defeat it would have taken slow and steady, consistent strategy. So this is compared to winning back a brother who has been offended. It might not seem right, but an offense can happen so quickly, and restoration can take a long, long time. Thus we are urged and reminded to be careful of allowing our foolish nature to offend.

Compare how the poor man and rich man (according to the word’s standards) approach God. The poor man cries out in supplication, an earnest pleading to the Lord for his needs. The rich man speaks in a rough manner, as though he is “owed” something.

Apparently popularity was an issue even back when this was written. It appears we can actually strive to have too many friends, and maintaining so many relationships can lead a man to ruin. This is not just a “throw-away” phrase, God penned it for a reason. He seems to think much more of friends who actually can stick closer than a brother. The ideal seems to seek out and connect with those who can serve as friend and brother both.

If you turn to James 4, you will see that he, too comments on self-centeredness. It was a problem then; it is a problem now. God still desires humility, as He is “opposed to the proud,” and He gives “grace to the humble”, as James quotes the Old Testament. As a result, we are commanded to submit to God! He will deal with exalting the humble.

That friend/brother concept continues here, in that we are reminded to avoid “running down” others, as described in verse 11. It is just so easy to talk and talk, and forget that in the process of talking and “self-centering” that we might do harm to the testimony of another. James warns over and over to be careful.

We do think much of ourselves, yet we are a passing vapor, given a short time to make this life count for God. When we boast in anything but God, we can be arrogant. When we boast in God, we reflect the glory that is already His.

SO WHAT…?

So, I pray that I truly seek strength and refuge in that strong city which is the Lord. Within His protective walls, nothing can harm.

So, I purpose to hush the whisperers, to defend the one spoken about, and to pick the side of the wise.

So, join me in building someone up today, tomorrow. Doing so will take humility. God will be pleased.

How's the Tongue?

“The Lord tests hearts”. I am so glad He does that, because that is a job far too hard for someone like myself with so many shortcomings. This chapter (17) of Proverbs is a great place for that tone to be set, God testing and knowing hearts. So much of what follows seems harsh, troubling, but very real, and I am thankful we have a holy and just God to sort it all out.

Spoken of are those with “destructive tongues”, and “listeners to wicked lips”. The writer speaks of the comparison between excellent speech and lying lips. When speech and communication is handled poorly, is threatens intimate friendships (v.9). And when strife ensues, it is wisely the best option to simply “abandon the quarrel”. Notice that this does not necessarily mean that the situation is made “all better”, it simply states to not let strife build. It is so much better to walk away from the quarrel, to simply quit arguing a point that will go nowhere. No wonder this passage is mixed in with rebuking those who understand versus dealing with what God here in a negative way calls “fools”.

One does not have to look far to see how society today justifies that which is wicked, and condemns that which is righteous. So it is only fitting that we not only need friends, but also we need brothers (and sisters). We need those who will stand beside us in adversity, not simply hang in there with us when life is good. Show me that person who can experience the worst times with you, and build you up, and you have found a brother/sister, a true relative, in the biblical sense of the word.

We all need that help, because evil is all around, you can see it in those who “love transgression”, who have a “crooked mind”, and who use “perverse language”. Besides our closest allies, we have something else on our side, a “joyful heart”. This is “good medicine”, readily available to us believers to ward off what could easily throw us off a godly walk.

Want to find knowledge? Look for one who can restrain words. Want to seek understanding? You’ll find it in a “cool spirit”.

I wonder what James had to say on these topics. In chapter 3, he devotes much time to the potential of the tongue. Small, destructive, restless evil, full of poison. Cheerful, huh?

It is actually repugnant to think that we use this body part to bless God and His name, and then turn around and use it to curse men, to defile people. Great chapter of James, he was pretty intent on getting people to not just talk the talk, but to walk the walk. Doers, not just hearers, as he wrote earlier. James felt strongly that brothers and sisters in Christ should watch out for one another, that the cause of Christ was far more important than letting that cause be destroyed by the poor testimony of believers who could not control their thoughts, actions, and here, tongues.

We must continue to seek wisdom from above, remember how we achieve that wisdom? By developing and maintaining a healthy fear of the Lord.

SO WHAT…?

So, I must be careful in what I say and how I say it as I continue to work for Him. This includes rebuke and commendation of others, as described biblically.

So, I need to continually check my fear of the Lord? Just how much do I revere and respect Him, and how does that show?

So, though not in these specific passages, forgiveness toward those who have expressed the evils described in these passages is necessary and vital to one’s spiritual health, all part of wise living.

People see our hearts. Can they see God when they do?

My initial intent in daily writing, blogging now, if you will, was simply to encourage others to be in the Bible daily. God has given us His source for wisdom, for skillful living, and that source more often than not goes un-tapped. Frustrations abound in life, this we already know, and there really is no other remedy for what life has to throw as us besides His Word. Along the way as we read, we cannot help but “hear” Him speak to us, perhaps uniquely to each of us, through the inspired words he Authored. I’ll pick up another book of the Bible to study through here soon, and for now, I am just sharing what God has laid upon my heart through His major wisdom books, which I encourage each and every Christian to read from daily, separate from other Bible reading.

In Proverbs 16, more phrases caught my attention: “plans of the heart”, “the Lord weighs motives”, “proud in heart”, and there are others. I came to verse 6, one I have read before, and the phrase the “fear of the Lord”, this time caused me to pause. Here, that reverent awe should be evidenced by my keeping away from evil. We must all purpose to avoid evil, to keep away from it. If we truly fear the Lord, we will not want to see how close we can get to sin without sinning, far from that! We will want to take steps to ensure that we do not.

More phrases: “man makes his plans, the Lord directs his steps”, the highway of the upright is to depart from evil”. Man, there it is again! OK, God reminds us of these things because He knows we need it.

How do we avoid evil, and do the right thing? Verse 20 makes it seem easy and very clear, “give attention to the word.” Someone before me used to write in the front of his bible, “this book will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from this book.” Very true.

When you see phrases repeat, and read and re-read, you can’t help but notice the patterns and intent of the words. One such phrase is the “heart of the wise”, and putting thoughts together, we see that this heart is demonstrated in sweetness of speech. The wise heart has sweet speech. As with most (OK – ALL) Christian activity, the heart is the key, our motives are what people see, based on the actions that come forth from us.

So, as yesterday, I flipped to James, and today in chapter 2, James writes that we are to beware of evil motives. I have a feeling James read the Proverbs a few times in His life (after all, his half-brother Authored them!). We are to simply speak and act as though we might actually be judged based upon those words and actions (and we will). Simply put, we need our works to show, and when we realize that those works will show what is truly in our heart, we need to ask ourselves how we are doing in the “fear of the Lord” department.

SO WHAT…?

So, am I in the Word regularly, daily, multiple times a day, am I meditating on His word in order to allow Him to change my heart?

So, understanding that my actions who my heart, how do I see my motives: God-honoring or selfish? Selfless or prideful? Is my speech sweet to others, or is it only pleasing to me?

So, what phrases catch your attention? How can God change you through His Word? List some ways, specifically, force yourself to answer the question, and then allow God’s Word to begin making those changes.

Who have I encouraged lately?

I personally enjoy reading the bible to dig deeper into its rich theology, and in doing so, I continue to come across the “regular” everyday life wisdom and application. Seems to be the way God intended it to come across. Back in May I started to read Proverbs to start each day, tapping into one of God’s resources for wise living. Then recently I added James and a Psalm to that daily routine. James is often referred to as the “Proverbs of the New Testament”, and Psalms serves as a great reminded to praise God, no matter what.

In light of some recent personal life events, I am amazed at the different verses that jump out at me each time I read through these books. I am on my seventh time through Proverbs, and I am seeing verses that I surely read before but never paused to reflect on.

For instance, this morning, in Proverbs 15, one theme really touched my heart. Look at the different way the writer says much of the same thing: “Gentle answer”, “tongue of the wise”, “soothing tongue”, “lips of the wise”.

And there’s more…”slow to anger”, “pleasant words are pure”, heart of the righteous ponders how to answer”, and “before honor comes humility”.

So, now flip to James 1. “Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”. We are told there as in the Proverb, that these qualities help pursue righteousness, and that by these we will achieve the righteousness of God. An obvious way that God works through us is by our speech, by our conduct toward others. By yielding to the Spirit, who urges us to act according to righteousness, God makes us more like Christ, if we will only let Him.

James says that we should receive the word in humility. If there is an area where we have no trouble whatsoever, it is thinking well of ourselves. Where we really need God’s help is in thinking more of Him, more of each other, and humble service in honor of Christ. Who doesn’t need more of God’s wisdom?

I am awed by the simple complexity of God’s Word. Why does God have to tell us over and over how to live for Him? Apparently we need the constant reminders. I know I do!

SO WHAT…?

So, does this mean we are to be timid people afraid to say the wrong thing to someone? No, quite the contrary. We are to seek out opportunities to speak an encouraging word. We are also to react to those “less than encouraging” with being slow to anger, humble.

So then, it is also only natural that we would seek the companionship and friendship of those who express these qualities of righteousness. So, likewise, I must strive to express them myself.

So, am I an encouragement to others? Really, am I? Is my tongue, my speech, soothing? When people hear me, do they hear righteousness or foolishness? And no matter what their response, do I consistently display Christ-likeness? At the beginning and end of each day, I pray I have done all with a sincere and humble heart, just like God told me in His Word.

REVELATION 22

The curse on God’s creation is no longer. That which was the result of the Fall in Eden is past. As this revelation to John comes to a close, it is clear that we will serve God forever in His new creation, with our Lord as the source of illumination.

Isn’t it great to know that His words are Faithful and True, that He is Faithful and True? When He speaks, what He says is true. And He says He is coming quickly. It could literally be at any time.

Once again John revers an angel, falling down in worship, and again he is told to worship God. The magnitude of what is being revealed to him is overwhelming, and worship is just a natural reaction.

There appears to be no need for John to seal up this revelation, its contents are ready and available to be read and heard. This end of the present age is imminent. Daily life is to continue, as described in verse 11.

Christ is indeed coming quickly, to judge completely and accordingly. Those who have understood how to become clean, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are blessed to be able to partake of the tree of life. This eternal life will be just that - eternal.

Jesus had sent His angel to John, to ensure that His message, “Come to Me”, would be told and repeated. Christ invites all to come, He calls everyone to join Him. We, in turn, who believe, ask the same of Him. Amen, come Lord Jesus.

SO WHAT...?

So, I ask those of you who are believers. Will you tell others until He comes?

So, I ask those of you who may not yet be believers, will you come to Him? He’s waiting, and there is no time like the present to accept that gift of Christ. Scripture tells us today is the day of salvation.

Eternity is settled, all that remains regarding final judgment is to populate the Lake of Fire and the new Creation. I pray we’ll see each other in the latter.

REVELATION 21

Genesis begins with Creation. Revelation ends with a new Creation, a new heaven and earth. In between, God creates new life in the believer (“if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” 2 Cor. 5:17). The center of focus in the new creation is the “New Jerusalem”. The church, the bride, has been made ready, sanctified, and now the place that Christ went to prepare for her (see John 14) is ready.

At some point in the wilderness, God ordered the tabernacle to be moved outside the main camp, as God no longer would dwell among His people, based on their refusal to fully trust and obey. Later, His glory left the temple, when Israel’s idolatry could not be tolerated. Here, as we read in Revelation, God will again dwell among His people, all those who chose to believe. Here they will no longer experience any more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain.

Emphatically, John is told to write it down, “I will make all things new.” God will make good on such promises. And in the same way, His holiness demands justice, and again John is told of those unbelieving, and their doom in the Lake of Fire. Hell is real, and we Christians should not be afraid to say so.

From a great and high mountain, John sees this great city, the New Jerusalem, from above, and he records its measurements, its dimensions, and how beautifully adorned Christ’s capital city will be. Here, there is no temple, as God will be (is) the center of worship.

These city gates will never close (OT city gates needed to do so for protection), there is no need for these doors to close. The saved in Christ will be there, it will never be dark, illumined by God, the source of glorious light.

SO WHAT...?

So, I can’t wait to see this city. OK, I still have work to do for Christ here and now, and no, I am not eager to die just yet. But if this chapter does not excite me as a Christian, I need a reality check for sure.

So, I mentioned Hell is a real, eternal place, just as this new creation, this new heaven and earth. If you’ve never trusted Christ personally, won’t you consider doing so? Or if you have done so, and just haven’t quite surrendered your life to Him completely, what better life could there be, than to follow and live for the eternal King?

REVELATION 20

We tend to forget that the victory is already won! Christ made it a point to show John, and remember, John sent warning, rebuke, and encouragement to those seven churches. They got to read what we get to read. Stay strong, Christ wins!

Here in chapter 20, that final battle with Satan is depicted, and it starts with that dragon being bound, literally imprisoned in the abyss, for 1000 years. Not coincidentally, this is the duration of the Millennial Kingdom, with Christ ruling and reigning for that same period of time.

Striking to John is the number of martyrs he sees, those who would not and did not deny Christ; they simply would not take the mark of the beast. Their reward? They are on the victorious side with Christ. They, along with all other saints prior to this time, have been made part of the first resurrection. “Blessed” is what they are called, and we do not fully grasp just what that word conveys.

As for the second resurrection? Nothing anyone would want to be a part of, yet all those along the way who have denied Christ, having never received him personally as Savior, will be a part of this. This resurrection, at the end of the 1000 years, is a literal raising of those dead unbelievers and those who were defeated at the end of the Tribulation.

Also occurring at the end of the Millennium is the release of Satan for a “short time”. During this time, he will deceive many Millennium dwellers for one final rebellion against Christ. Keep in mind, some believers are alive at the end of the Tribulation and physically enter the Millennial Kingdom (since they would not have been destroyed at the end of the Tribulation. They will have children, born to mortals, born sinners, still needing obedience to Christ for salvation. Some will apparently choose not to follow Christ, and thus are targets for Satan’s deception. This is who he will gather for rebellion.

One last time, Christ defeats Satan and those remaining loyal to him, casting them into the Lake of Fire. Those part of that second resurrection are also judged before the Great White Throne, and sentenced forever to the Lake of Fire.

SO WHAT...?

So, take heart Christian, in the end Christ wins! We win!

So, what a great story I have to tell, what a great and triumphant future lies ahead, and all Christ asks is that we believe in and follow Him, with all out heart, soul, mind, and strength. Join me in the battle today, He’ll win the final one for us later.

REVELATION 19

Four Hallelujah’s go up! There is praise in Heaven! God’s judgments are true and righteous! God’s people had been wronged by physical and spiritual oppression, and vengeance is His, not theirs. And Almighty God reigns forever.

Two meals are represented here in Chapter 19. The first is that which celebrates the marriage of the Lamb to His bride. The church has been prepared for this moment, to live and reign with Christ, and those invited to this marriage supper are indeed blessed. All those who in this life, or the Tribulation, accept Christ personally, are invited to so dine with Him. The sight of this event caused John to want to worship the angel with him, and he is told to worship God instead.

Verses 11 - 16 may be the most exciting and encouraging passage of Scripture written. Christ returns to earth, the literal second coming, riding a white horse. The battle of Armageddon will end now. Faithful and True, he judges the earth while waging war with those remaining enemies of His. He is the Word of God, and an army of those who just dined with Him join Him in this campaign. By his Word, the nations are judged. He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

The second meal represented is a bit gruesome. God calls for the birds to feed on the remains of those in the aftermath of the battle. The devastation left behind by the King and the army of the church, the saints, will be unmistakable. Only one judgment remains for those who have died unbelieving.

The beast (antichrist) and the false prophet are seized, and thrown alive into the Lake of Fire, what we understand to be Hell, a real place of eternal torment. Any others remaining were destroyed by the righteous judgment of Christ, that sword proceeding from His mouth, His Word.

SO WHAT...?

So, Jesus came as a humble baby, sacrificed Himself for the sake of all who would believe, and will return as the conquering King. Those in Jerusalem during passion week expected this entry then. It will come, and I am grateful for His work that made that time to be a triumph for me, and all who believe.

So, while many despise the harshness of some details of a chapter such as this, the account, though in the future, is as real as any in the past. And no matter what, God is great, His holiness demands justice.

REVELATION 18

Babylon’s defeat is certain. That world system of deceit, consisting of political corruption, religious falsehood, that safe haven of false ideology and anti-God way-of-life, has met its Judge. She was sensuous, appealing, and many fell into her trap, doomed forever.

Even here, at the time John foresees, God calls His people to come out of her, to leave her, as God is judging her, and no follower of God is to be among her. The kings of the earth, those world rulers, have chosen poorly. And John uses the familiar funereal cry of “Woe, woe”, to emphasize the plight the world finds itself in.

Commerce will have dried up, the world’s business will have come to a standstill. People realize who Babylon is, what she has done, and that the judging is by God’s hand, and it is too late.

Symbolizing how God feels about this Babylon, a strong angel throws a large, heavy stone, that which looks like a millstone (think of Matt. 18:6, Luke 17:2), into the sea. That stone has the world’s deceit attached, and by causing God’s “little ones” to sin, it deserves to be thrown into the depths of the sea.

Indeed, the nations were deceived, and as a result, the blood of the saints, those believers following Christ, is on their hands. God does not take lightly to such treatment of His own.

SO WHAT…?

So, as irritated as I might become at the antics of corrupt world leaders, or false religion, God has shown me clearly that He will ultimately deal with them. I recall in Jude that I am still to contend for the faith, and so I must press on, while leaving righteous indignation to God.

So, each and every day I must choose whom I will follow. My own desires and the world’s alluring offers, or the path that Christ has paved before me.