December 25 - The Tree of Life

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! 

December 24 - The New Jerusalem

Dear sisters-in-Christ that have joined me in Revelation through the season of this Advent, rejoice in the words of today's reading!!! What a gift we have been given! Hallelujah!!!

December 23 - The Thousand Years

This chapter has quite a reputation for being distorted and interpreted different ways. My Concordia self-study notes are pretty extensive on this topic as is The People's Bible. The devotion touches upon it a bit but sometimes it's better to begin with properly understanding the text before getting into any misguided theories.  However, I do appreciate learning about what others believe and why because it gives me another chance to go back and be reminded about what I believe and why.  Because we're sort of "whipping" through this book through Advent, you will probably not have a lot of time to do that now but I would encourage you to revisit it at some point.

The Thousand Years refers to the time from Pentecost up to Judgement Day. It seems that while God remains completely in control, Satan continues to be kept on a tight leash that loosens up as we get closer to the Final Judgement. When read in the context of everything we've read so far, this fits with our understanding of what all of Scripture says about the final days.

There does seem to be some translation issues in this chapter in particular - another good reason to have our pastors trained in the original languages! Near the end of verse 4 and in verse 5, the phrase "came (come) to life" is better translated "lived".  In verse 7, you can replace the word "When" with "as" and the phrase "are over" to "draws to a close".

In the description of the paragraph "The Dead are Judged", I find it interesting to note the books mentioned. First, we know already about the "book of life" (singular) with our names in it by grace through faith in Christ. Then there is mention made of books (plural) with the names of those who have rejected Christ and his gift of saving grace, and instead are going with their own deeds. TPB writes, "The fact that there is more than one book for them may reflect that there are many more unbelievers than believers. Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and man enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13)"

December 22 - The Wedding Supper of the Lamb

Hallelujah!

Praise the Lord!

What a feast we have to look forward to on that day!

I loved verses 7 and 8 that speak of our justification and being given the fine linen to wear. My Bible notes say this "reflects the doctrine of salvation by grace alone.".  Beautiful!

I sit in awe of the words written of this feast and humbled and so ... loved. I can only imagine how John must have felt hearing and seeing the vision of all this and being so moved that he was ready to worship the angel!  The angel responds that telling John and us to "Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." vs 10a TBP writes about these words, "Prophecy" is the task of every believer to explain and share the Scripture with others. The "spirit" of prophecy is the heart and soul of that Christian activity. The whole purpose for understanding the Bible and talking to others about it is to testify to Jesus. (pg 185) 

Faithful. Just. King of kings. Lord of lords. Word of God. God Almighty. All words and phrases that continue to describe Jesus for us.

The second part of this chapter depicts again God's righteous judgement and complete victory over his enemies.  Their reign of terror will end.  Jesus reigns eternally!

December 21 - The Fall of Babylon

Seeing isn't always believing. What looks good to our eyes can be poison to our ears. Just because a church looks successful - big building, state of the art equipment, programs for everyone, full pews (or stadiums),  catchy music, ornate fixtures, high church liturgy,  contemporary format, big operating budget, renown reputation, etc., - does not mean it is successful in God's eyes. The items on the list aren't bad in and of themselves, but it's the message preached from the pulpit that's the true test of a church.
  As a people-pleasing substitute for the gospel, they teach that men and women can earn God's favour by their good lives and can win heaven for themselves by following Jesus' example. (Behold ...) To the people in church's like this, the voice from heaven says, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins." vs 4a 

The message of Jesus is not summarized in a bracelet that says "What would Jesus Do?" but is "What has Jesus Done?"

All the "stuff" built here on earth, all the man-made things and theology will be brought down in a very short time at the end of the day - Judgement Day.  TPB says, "Babylon is the spirit of antichrist. It is most pronounced in the false church, but it infects all human institutions." (pg 179) 

Praying my devotion prayer for the day ...

December 20 - The Great Prositute

Otherwise known as (in my Bible) "The Woman on the Beast" and (from my husband) "The church gone unfaithful".

I have a new appreciation for the separation of church and state. Just sayin'.

The wealth and power of the church becomes more important than the true work of the church.

This unfaithful church looks an awful lot like the faithful church. It can sound like the church. They can both use the same language but with different meaning. It seems familiar.

"This calls for a mind with wisdom." vs 9 

Church and government are "in bed" with one another. Together they wreak havoc and fool minds and destroy lives.

I love the study of history. I've passed this onto my kids through our schooling and it's everyone's favourite subject. Right now my daughter and I are studying the beginning of the American government and establishment of the system. Did you know that when Washington was elected the first US President, he hired almost a thousand people to fill all the federal government jobs? I'm thinking the government looks a bit different today;) In my personal reading, I'm studying the history of China. I'm amazed at the similarities of their dynasties to the European monarchies and ruling families in history! It's really enlightening to study this within the context of reading Revelation and seeing history with those glasses on.  ..."because he once was, now is not, and yet will come." ... is seen through the rise and fall of these leaders that act like they will live forever. In the end, God will destroy them.

I am encouraged by vs 14 "They will make war against the Lamb,  but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." God will accomplish his purpose even through these beasts!

December 19 - The Seven Bowls

We're circling around again to get another picture of these end times. I think it's interesting to note in this case though that there's no mention of a fraction of the earth receiving these consequences. This is it now! What's been happening already is growing in intensity! Still, they are a call to repentance - if people would only listen!!

In the wrath poured out of the first five angels' bowls, we can "see" the destruction and suffering that false teachings and bad theology have. Messages we hear today tell us:

• if it makes you happy, do it
• "God" made me this way (in defence of sinful behaviour)
• Why would a loving God allow such things to happen
• I'm OK if my good outweighs my bad
• Karma - what goes around comes around
• Religion is a crutch
• Government can solve the world's problems
• That's just your interpretation
• Global warming terror - the notion that we caused it and we can fix it or it will destroy us! 
• Pretty much any self help book.
• How about the "preacher" on TV that's message includes "if you believe it, you can do it!" 
• Don't even get me started on the whole "elf on the shelf" thing - with the message to kids that "he's watching you to see if you're naughty or nice and you'll be rewarded if the report back to Santa is good". Seriously? Creepy elf spy watching your every move and dangling a "cookie" of lots of presents in reward for being good during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas? But I digress...

Oh my word. I could go on and on. And on.

So we have the breakdown of the family. Divorces. Depression. Despair. Social programs that won't help people the way it's promised - but makes things worse. People running after things that will never make them happy, fulfilled. Rebelling children. School shootings. Chaos. People burned by the church that they turn their backs forever. Bitter and mislead.

But as we near the end, fewer and fewer will repent. That's the reality we're given.

And after we move from these plagues, there's NO mention of repentance. Now just unadulterated hostility. Satan, the world governments and all who preach the message of "salvation by man" will join forces in battle against the Lord Almighty. And just as Elijah went up against the followers of Baal - the Lord Almighty will prevail. And then it's done. God's wrath poured out on everything and everyone in unbelief. The end of the world as we know it.

But we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)

May God keep us from believing these lies told around us. May we "see" the destructive message given in their pretty packaging. May we put our trust in him and nothing or no one else. Thank God for preserving us through the means of grace. Thank God for preserving his church and that truth can still be found preached from the pulpit! 

*thanks for allowing my rant on the "elf on the shelf". I feel better now!