When I was in high school (many moons again, but let's not get into details, OK?), I wanted to be in the choir every year so I could sing Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" in the Christmas concert. I also wanted to be in choir so I could go to Florida and Disney World on choir tour but that's beside the point. Singing those words "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." send chills up my spine. That is what we'll be singing in heaven. Wow.
This is my favourite reading so far! I know there's the other side - that for unbelievers, it will be a terrifying judgement for eternity - but the vision of the future for the invisible church in that moment is glorious!!
When my family celebrates Christmas Day, we traditionally have a birthday cake for Jesus and sing the "Happy Birthday" song. But now I have this better understanding of his second coming and the song that we'll be singing then! Granted, it's a bit "meatier" in content than "happy birthday to you":) Christmas Day will definitely be taking on a deeper meaning for me after this study - I pray it does for you too. I'll be listening to Handel this Christmas!
I think the authors of the devotion did a really great job with their message in the paragraph starting, "We truly live in end times." The information we've been given through now, regardless of whether we've figured every little detail out or not, show us that this is where we're at now. All the signs, whether earthly or spiritual, point to that. Judgement Day could arrive anytime.
The People's Bible ends it's commentary with these words, "As we prepare for the last days, we come before God, falling on our faces, and seek refuge alone in Jesus Christ." This is the message of Advent - repentance and waiting, dear sisters in Christ! Thank you for walking along with me!
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Saturday, December 13, 2014
December 13 - The Two Witnesses
It usually helps me to know going into a reading what the overall theme is that I can wrap my head around. For this section, we are focusing on the state of the Christian church.
We know there's an invisible church of believers that only God can see. There's also a visible church of believers that we can only see with our eyes. We are warned that unbelievers are within the visible church and they will try their best to destroy the beautiful message of full and free forgiveness, distort the truth of Scripture and muddy the waters of law and gospel.
It could be said that the two witnesses are the Law and Gospel personified - though neither the devotion nor the People's Bible go that far. But regardless, these two are the "double-edged" sword we are to use as this "little scroll" is shared throughout the world.
Law and Gospel will be preached to the ends of the earth but will be attacked by many false teachings within the visible church in these last days. This can be seen now when church bodies guide their people to reject the Biblical 6 day creation found in Genesis and other areas of the Bible and embrace evolution! This is seen now when men within the church put their reason above what God reveals in his Word (antichrist) - and slowly chip away at the truth. How about the churches where you can sit through a whole sermon and not here one word about what Jesus has done for us but rather, what we should be doing for Jesus if we're really Christians? These attacks found now can be subtle or extreme but all do the damage that God is talking about here. Verse 10 describes how these blasphemers will think they have won i.e.. "Finally those simpletons have rejected that ridiculous idea of "creation". Not only that but we've managed to get our agenda of evolution and NO GOD in the school system at the youngest level possible!" And they think they've won...
Again we end with the comfort knowing that their time is short and evil is on a leash! He's straight up with us here - yes, it's going to look bad within the church but the invisible church will never go away.
We know there's an invisible church of believers that only God can see. There's also a visible church of believers that we can only see with our eyes. We are warned that unbelievers are within the visible church and they will try their best to destroy the beautiful message of full and free forgiveness, distort the truth of Scripture and muddy the waters of law and gospel.
It could be said that the two witnesses are the Law and Gospel personified - though neither the devotion nor the People's Bible go that far. But regardless, these two are the "double-edged" sword we are to use as this "little scroll" is shared throughout the world.
Law and Gospel will be preached to the ends of the earth but will be attacked by many false teachings within the visible church in these last days. This can be seen now when church bodies guide their people to reject the Biblical 6 day creation found in Genesis and other areas of the Bible and embrace evolution! This is seen now when men within the church put their reason above what God reveals in his Word (antichrist) - and slowly chip away at the truth. How about the churches where you can sit through a whole sermon and not here one word about what Jesus has done for us but rather, what we should be doing for Jesus if we're really Christians? These attacks found now can be subtle or extreme but all do the damage that God is talking about here. Verse 10 describes how these blasphemers will think they have won i.e.. "Finally those simpletons have rejected that ridiculous idea of "creation". Not only that but we've managed to get our agenda of evolution and NO GOD in the school system at the youngest level possible!" And they think they've won...
Again we end with the comfort knowing that their time is short and evil is on a leash! He's straight up with us here - yes, it's going to look bad within the church but the invisible church will never go away.
Friday, December 12, 2014
December 12 - The Angel with the Little Scroll
I found chapter 10 a welcome relief from the previous chapters that were heavy in challenging imagery and foreboding signs of the last days. But all that was setting us up for the words we need from Jesus in these verses. As we contemplate the words we just read, we're asking ourselves, "what now?". Time is fleeting and the end is coming quickly - how best to use this time?
The message is clear - the scroll of the gospel is what we are to take and eat - "inwardly digest". And he goes on to describe to us that despite the initial "sweetness" we will experience, it will turn to "bitterness" as we suffer for it. This is not to keep us from sharing it. Quite the opposite! We must see to sharing it with all the world! What a blessing it is to be a part of this!
In this season of gift-giving, think about ways you might give of yourself in the sharing of the good news of the gospel with the lost. Maybe you have ideas that you've done in the past i.e.. special offerings, volunteering, LWMS participation?
*some afterthoughts from the original posting - I really appreciate how God relates the scroll (God's Word) to eating, chewing and digesting. As humans, we can relate to food and the act of eating it, tasting it, taking it in. We know the difference between "good food" and "bad food" and what it does to our overall health. We know we need to eat in order to stay alive. The concepts we can physically relate to can help us understand it in a spiritual sense!
The message is clear - the scroll of the gospel is what we are to take and eat - "inwardly digest". And he goes on to describe to us that despite the initial "sweetness" we will experience, it will turn to "bitterness" as we suffer for it. This is not to keep us from sharing it. Quite the opposite! We must see to sharing it with all the world! What a blessing it is to be a part of this!
In this season of gift-giving, think about ways you might give of yourself in the sharing of the good news of the gospel with the lost. Maybe you have ideas that you've done in the past i.e.. special offerings, volunteering, LWMS participation?
*some afterthoughts from the original posting - I really appreciate how God relates the scroll (God's Word) to eating, chewing and digesting. As humans, we can relate to food and the act of eating it, tasting it, taking it in. We know the difference between "good food" and "bad food" and what it does to our overall health. We know we need to eat in order to stay alive. The concepts we can physically relate to can help us understand it in a spiritual sense!
Thursday, December 11, 2014
December 11 - The First Six Trumpets
"If we recall that John is simply viewing the same events from a new vantage point, we'll better understand what he is telling us." Good to remember. But I was still confused.
The devotion suggested that the first four "trumpets" were repeating the message of the first four "seals" and dealing with earthly destruction and turmoil. After going through it with my husband though, he had a different take on it. Stay with me here:)
If we go back to Matthew 24:4-14, he starts with describing the earthly degeneration and destruction that will take place in the last days here on earth and then leads into spiritual matters and the things "unseen" but that destroy from within. Jesus sets this pattern and it lends credence to the pattern set here - set off by the fraction 1/3 where "3" is "the Lord's number" and alludes to the spiritual nature of the images.
When reading the text in this way, we see the spiritual attacks of our world acted out in this scene. Acts against:
Saving truth - the means of grace - are being obscured or darkened from this world.
So humour me:) Reread the first four trumpets in this way and see if it doesn't change how you understand these words.
Reading on from here, the fifth angel sounds his trumpet. The comfort found here is that Satan's lies cannot destroy the elect. But the enemy is very real and is alive and well today!
"resembled human faces" - real people
"women's hair" - alluring
"lion's teeth" - sharp bite
"breastplates" - seem indestructible
"thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle" - huge numbers
But again, even with the sixth angel sounding the trumpet, we are again comforted to know that God is in control - evil is on a leash!
"I heard their number" (vs 16) There are many lies out there but one truth!
"Why would a loving God allow these things?" Ah, the age old question. And the answer is so clear to us as we end this reading ... it's a call to repentance. What patience our Lord has with mankind! The reality is this though ... there will never be "peace on earth" this side of heaven where all will repent and turn toward God. There will still be many that will continue to turn their backs to him in defiance!
Pray with me the prayer from our reading today? Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The devotion suggested that the first four "trumpets" were repeating the message of the first four "seals" and dealing with earthly destruction and turmoil. After going through it with my husband though, he had a different take on it. Stay with me here:)
If we go back to Matthew 24:4-14, he starts with describing the earthly degeneration and destruction that will take place in the last days here on earth and then leads into spiritual matters and the things "unseen" but that destroy from within. Jesus sets this pattern and it lends credence to the pattern set here - set off by the fraction 1/3 where "3" is "the Lord's number" and alludes to the spiritual nature of the images.
When reading the text in this way, we see the spiritual attacks of our world acted out in this scene. Acts against:
- The Bread of Life
- The Water of Life
- The Light of Life
Saving truth - the means of grace - are being obscured or darkened from this world.
So humour me:) Reread the first four trumpets in this way and see if it doesn't change how you understand these words.
Reading on from here, the fifth angel sounds his trumpet. The comfort found here is that Satan's lies cannot destroy the elect. But the enemy is very real and is alive and well today!
"resembled human faces" - real people
"women's hair" - alluring
"lion's teeth" - sharp bite
"breastplates" - seem indestructible
"thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle" - huge numbers
But again, even with the sixth angel sounding the trumpet, we are again comforted to know that God is in control - evil is on a leash!
"I heard their number" (vs 16) There are many lies out there but one truth!
"Why would a loving God allow these things?" Ah, the age old question. And the answer is so clear to us as we end this reading ... it's a call to repentance. What patience our Lord has with mankind! The reality is this though ... there will never be "peace on earth" this side of heaven where all will repent and turn toward God. There will still be many that will continue to turn their backs to him in defiance!
Pray with me the prayer from our reading today? Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
December 10 - The Seventh Seal
"Have you ever noticed that there are occasions when the entire universe stops and falls silent to witness the wonders of the almighty God?" Yes! Yes! Somehow a silence can be loud ...
Here again we read about our prayers being offered up. Revelation 5:8 said the prayers were the incense. In Revelation 8:3,4 our prayers are offered up with incense. In our devotion we read who makes our prayers acceptable to God, who carries our prayers directly to him, who answers the prayers we give. We get quite a response and reaction to the prayer we're all praying, "How long, Lord? Come, Lord Jesus!" "the wrath of the Lamb is coming on the earth."
Thank you, Jesus, for answering our prayers! O come, O come, Emmanuel!
Here again we read about our prayers being offered up. Revelation 5:8 said the prayers were the incense. In Revelation 8:3,4 our prayers are offered up with incense. In our devotion we read who makes our prayers acceptable to God, who carries our prayers directly to him, who answers the prayers we give. We get quite a response and reaction to the prayer we're all praying, "How long, Lord? Come, Lord Jesus!" "the wrath of the Lamb is coming on the earth."
Thank you, Jesus, for answering our prayers! O come, O come, Emmanuel!
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
December 9 - The 144,000
We continue with this window open to Judgement Day. For the believers there is great comfort in our promised protection. How can we be sure that we are included in this number? The devotion rightfully mentions Galatians 3:26-29 as proof. Here we find that assurance through our baptism - God's gift of faith to even the smallest of infants!
Beautiful words at the end of this chapter show us our heavenly inheritance Jesus won for us! Words often read at funerals that offer the only real comfort to the loved ones left behind - that no matter how much the deceased had suffered up to death, a child of God will "never again hunger; never again thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." What wonderful comfort to us while we live and suffer here on earth, in the great tribulation of today - that it is temporary and such a short time compared to our lives in eternity!
May our Christmas be defined by this priceless gift and treasured until the end!
Beautiful words at the end of this chapter show us our heavenly inheritance Jesus won for us! Words often read at funerals that offer the only real comfort to the loved ones left behind - that no matter how much the deceased had suffered up to death, a child of God will "never again hunger; never again thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." What wonderful comfort to us while we live and suffer here on earth, in the great tribulation of today - that it is temporary and such a short time compared to our lives in eternity!
May our Christmas be defined by this priceless gift and treasured until the end!
Monday, December 8, 2014
December 8 - The Seals
What an amazing picture of these last days!
Scripture interprets Scripture and we can look to Matthew 24:4-14 to have a well-rounded picture of what the first four seals are depicting.
God couldn't be any clearer in stressing the power found in his Word! Why do I often underestimate it? Why do I push it aside? Why am I not always "on fire" for mission work? Why does my own voice freeze in opportunities to share his Word with others who don't know? Again and again he calls us to come back to the Word where He is, to study it, use it, apply it, defend it, learn from it, see Him on every page. Where others use hostility, warfare, weapons, manipulation and wield their own words to drive their agenda or beliefs, he calls us to wield his Word.
The next three seals are all too familiar - war, famine, death. I couldn't help but think of cancer when reading the word plague. It seems to touch someone in every family or circle of friends.
I find it interesting to note as the fifth seal is opened, the awareness of the saints in heaven while all this is going on (now). Another glimpse of that is shown at Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah seem to be quite aware of things that they discuss with Jesus. We echo the plea of the saints, "Come, Lord Jesus" and yet we too wish to wait for the body of believers to be complete.
The sixth seal shows a picture of the opening and closing of Judgement Day - terror for the unbelievers. I find it easy to remain somehow detached while reading these words while at the same time feeling sorry for those "unbelievers" he talks about here, running for their life, trying to hide while sheer terror grips their soul as the realization of God's coming judgement dawns on them too late. But they are people with faces I recognize. They are friends, neighbours, relatives, grocery store clerks, waitresses - the list goes on. Now is not too late. Now is the time to proclaim the Word to the world!
"But for the faithful, the best is yet to come." Thank you, Jesus, for this reassurance of your grace!
"Read his story - Bethlehem, Calvary, the empty tomb - and know that he loves you." All of "his - story" has been in his hands and the future is no different!
Scripture interprets Scripture and we can look to Matthew 24:4-14 to have a well-rounded picture of what the first four seals are depicting.
God couldn't be any clearer in stressing the power found in his Word! Why do I often underestimate it? Why do I push it aside? Why am I not always "on fire" for mission work? Why does my own voice freeze in opportunities to share his Word with others who don't know? Again and again he calls us to come back to the Word where He is, to study it, use it, apply it, defend it, learn from it, see Him on every page. Where others use hostility, warfare, weapons, manipulation and wield their own words to drive their agenda or beliefs, he calls us to wield his Word.
The next three seals are all too familiar - war, famine, death. I couldn't help but think of cancer when reading the word plague. It seems to touch someone in every family or circle of friends.
I find it interesting to note as the fifth seal is opened, the awareness of the saints in heaven while all this is going on (now). Another glimpse of that is shown at Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah seem to be quite aware of things that they discuss with Jesus. We echo the plea of the saints, "Come, Lord Jesus" and yet we too wish to wait for the body of believers to be complete.
The sixth seal shows a picture of the opening and closing of Judgement Day - terror for the unbelievers. I find it easy to remain somehow detached while reading these words while at the same time feeling sorry for those "unbelievers" he talks about here, running for their life, trying to hide while sheer terror grips their soul as the realization of God's coming judgement dawns on them too late. But they are people with faces I recognize. They are friends, neighbours, relatives, grocery store clerks, waitresses - the list goes on. Now is not too late. Now is the time to proclaim the Word to the world!
"But for the faithful, the best is yet to come." Thank you, Jesus, for this reassurance of your grace!
"Read his story - Bethlehem, Calvary, the empty tomb - and know that he loves you." All of "his - story" has been in his hands and the future is no different!
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