Merry Christmas!
I'd loved how the devotion linked our Christmas tree to the cross to the Tree of Life in eternity! This is a treasure I will be sure to take with me to future Christmases!
For today, I have some quotes from The People's Bible that really jumped out at me as some closing thoughts.
The Bible was written for our salvation, not our curiosity. God withholds some things from us for our good, but we trust that what he has written in the Bible "is useful for teaching" (2 Tim 3:16). (page 222)
Our final relationship to Jesus' Word is the relationship we will always have to it. What a compelling warning this is for those who despise the means of grace and what an encouragement for those who love God's Word! (page 223)
Sinners should not read Revelation's severe words of warning as anything but the loving concern of a gracious God calling them to repentance. (page 226)
By its promises of sure victory for the saints, Revelation offers a perspective from which believers view their daily struggles. Jesus' promises create faith; faith produces patience. Such patience views spiritual trials as Paul did: "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Cor 4:17). "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). This is the perspective we gain when we read and believe the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John. For this blessing we join John and pray, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (verse 21). (page 228)
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you! Merry Christmas!
4 comments:
Rachel (and everybody else for that matter),
I just feel like I've been spending Advent in tears...but tears of joy (mostly) thinking about heaven and the overwhelming thoughts about the new kingdom to come! I just can't think of a better way to enjoy this time! THANKS Y'all!!!
So, while we're on that note, I cried like a baby (sobbed would be more accurate) listening to "Jerusalem the Golden" on Christmas Eve... and singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" when the book mentioned it. I mean, these songs were amazing before, but now that I've studied Revelation even a little bit more, they're brand new in many ways and so much more dear.
Merry Christmas, Y'all!
Thank you Rachel for inviting me to join you in this Advent study of Revelation. Loved every page, every daily insallment of this devotional study.
Yes - I should have mentioned that kleenex might be needed for "Jerusalem the Golden" - sorry about that!! I agree - that those songs and many Advent/Christmas songs I've been singing for years have more meaning to me now after this study. So many references to his final coming I never contemplated much before. My appreciation for these beautiful hymns have deepened through this study - I didn't expect that!
Thank you, dear sisters!
This Advent has perhaps been my most meaningful ever. Weeping at "Jerusalem the Golden?" - Yep. Seeing so much more in the symbolism of our Christmas traditions - Yes. Being able to focus on the significance of Christmas without letting the stresses and details of non-spiritual preparations take over my psyche - Check. Growing in faith and knowledge of the one who was born in Bethlehem and who reigns forever and ever... the one who is coming soon - Definitely!
God bless you all until we meet again!
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