START AT THE BEGINNING

Posted on June 7, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Part Two, THINK

A RECAP:  If you have been following “Daily Manna with Your Mug”, you are realizing I like to write short, personal writings that are created from my own “conversations” with God and then passed on to you each morning.  When I rise each new day, I get a large mug of coffee and a bowl of Cheerios and “have breakfast with Jesus.  It begins with prayer, reading, thinking, and then writing.  Since completing the Book of Revelation last week, I am led to go back to the beginning—the Genesis of God’s message to us and for us. 

Yesterday we learn how to READ, part one of learning steps to understand what we are reading so we can more readily begin living what we read.  This way to understand the Bible has four parts:  READ, THINK, PRAY, LIVE.  We discussed READ in Part One, now let’s learn to THINK.

THINK

After reading, the next step is to really think about what the Bible is saying.  This may seem obvious, but there is a difference between letting your ind wander over a few verses or chapters and trying to figure out what it means. 

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?  There are some people who drive up to the edge, jump out of their cars, poke around for a few minutes, mabe take a few pictures, and then head off to the gift shop to buy T-shirts or snow globes to take to their friends back home.

There are others wo spend an entire day seated quietly away from the noisy tourists, simply watching from their own private spot.  That may sound boring, but to some, the Grand Canyon is a place of incredible beauty and power—one quick look isn’t enough.  They want to soak it all in.  Those people will often come back year after year, to sit in that same spot—and every time, they see a different show. 

We can THINK about the Bible in the same way.  You can read a sentence or two, quickly decide what they mean and make a mental check next to them, and then head off to the gift shop.

OR, you can spend days and weeks (or even months) meditating on what a particular passage is really talking about—turning it over in our minds, reflecting on it, soaking it in.  We can consider what those words mean against the changing backdrop of real life, our lives! 

God’s Word is personally written to each one of us.  You can begin to perceive the importance and subtle meanings of each word that’s found its way from God to you.  You can learn to identify the sound of God’s voice as you get to know him better.  You can think about them from all sorts of different viewpoints, even putting yourself in the shoes of the characters you’re reading about.  

You can certainly ask the Author to help you soak it all in: “With your very own hands you formed me: now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you” (Psalm 119). 

Our cues for read, think, pray, live will always come from God’s Word to our hearts, feeding our minds and souls with the best meal we’ve ever had.

“I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you.

I attentively watch how you’ve done it.

I relish everything you’ve told me of life,

I won’t forget a word of it…

My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!…

Insatiable for your nourishing commands…

Your words are so choice, so tasty:

I prefer them to the best home cooking.  (Psalm 119)

Go back and READ Genesis 1 again.  Now spend some time to THINK about who God is, what He has done with reflection upon what He has created in each of us.  Get ready to sit down, relax and eat until you are full!  The Bible is not fast food to be eaten on the run!

Genesis 1, The Message

Heaven and Earth

1 1-2 First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.

3-5 God spoke: “Light!”
    And light appeared.
God saw that light was good
    and separated light from dark.
God named the light Day,
    he named the dark Night.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day One.

6-8 God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters;
    separate water from water!”
God made sky.
He separated the water under sky
    from the water above sky.
And there it was:
    he named sky the Heavens;
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Two.

9-10 God spoke: “Separate!
    Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place;
Land, appear!”
    And there it was.
God named the land Earth.
    He named the pooled water Ocean.
God saw that it was good.

11-13 God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties
    of seed-bearing plants,
Every sort of fruit-bearing tree.”
    And there it was.
Earth produced green seed-bearing plants,
    all varieties,
And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts.
    God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Three.

14-15 God spoke: “Lights! Come out!
    Shine in Heaven’s sky!
Separate Day from Night.
    Mark seasons and days and years,
Lights in Heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.”
    And there it was.

16-19 God made two big lights, the larger
    to take charge of Day,
The smaller to be in charge of Night;
    and he made the stars.
God placed them in the heavenly sky
    to light up Earth
And oversee Day and Night,
    to separate light and dark.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Four.

20-23 God spoke: “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life!
    Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!”
God created the huge whales,
    all the swarm of life in the waters,
And every kind and species of flying birds.
    God saw that it was good.
God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean!
    Birds, reproduce on Earth!”
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Five.

24-25 God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:
    cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.”
And there it was:
    wild animals of every kind,
Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug.
    God saw that it was good.

26-28 God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
    reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
    the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
    and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
    he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
    He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
    “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
    for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

29-30 Then God said, “I’ve given you
    every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
    given them to you for food.
To all animals and all birds,
    everything that moves and breathes,
I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”
    And there it was.

31 God looked over everything he had made;
    it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Six.

Lord,

You are God and we are not.  Jesus, you were there at the beginning of it all, too.  Everything you created was very, very good.  Then you gave us free will to choose you or not.  When we choose evil, you created a Way to come back to what is very, very good, all that is You!  Your love is amazing.  You are amazing!

Lord, you are in control and have never relinquished your control because you created all and in all and compassionately care for all you created!  What an awesome God you truly are!  You provided for all you created.  You lovingly cared and magnificently created all that we need.  Thank you for loving us the way you do.  I’m still meditating on the fact that we are created in your image, with your character traits in our DNA.  Wow, I will THINK about this all day long.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

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START AT THE VERY BEGINNING

Posted on June 6, 2022 by randscallawayffm

If you have been following “Daily Manna with Your Mug”, you are realizing I like to write short, personal writings that are created from my own “conversations” with God and then passed on to you each morning.  When I rise each new day, I get a large mug of coffee and a bowl of Cheerios and “have breakfast with Jesus.  It begins with prayer, reading, thinking, and then writing.  Since completing the Book of Revelation last week, I am led to go back to the beginning—the Genesis of God’s message to us and for us. 

As a teacher and learner, I am led to let you in on a method of study that might help you understand more and more each day what is written in God’s Word about Him.  You will be blessed by diving into the greatest “text” ever written—God’s Word to us.  This text is the beginning of a the most important relationship with personal conversations you will ever have on earth with Someone who so loved us, He gave His Son to save us.  As we read, we will discover that God wants us to love Him back.  He talks about what is best for us because of this love. God, Creator of all and is all knowing, knows what is best for us.  Always.

Most of us have received an email, text or media message from a friend.  A lot of times when we receive one, we can’t wait to see what the writer has to say.  We open it and see the emotion and thought that the author of the letter has poured into it.  It’s the same thing with the Bible—it’s just that person behind each text is God.  And the texts aren’t only about God, they’re also about who we are.

Check out what Eugene Peterson, Theologian, Pastor, Writer of The Message, has to say:

“Reading is the first thing, just reading the bible.  As we read we enter a new world of words and find ourselves in on a conversation in which God has the first and last words.  We soon realize that we are included in the conversation.  We didn’t expect this.  But this is precisely what generation after generation of Bible readers do find:  The Bible is not on written about us but to us.  In these pages we become insiders to a conversation in which God uses words to form and bless us, to teach and guide us, to forgive and save us.”

We don’t usually look at what we read in this way.  When we read a favorite magazine, webzine, or book, we’re reading things that provide us with information about certain topics or take us away into another world.  This book goes beyond that!  This book reveals a God who can change life in every way.

Eugene explains, “This book is different.  This is a world of revelation:  God revealing to people just like us—men and women created in God’s image—how he works and what is going on in this world in which we find ourselves.  At the same time that God reveals all this, God draws us in by invitation and command to participate in his working life.  We gradually (or suddenly) realize that we are insiders in the most significant action of our time as God establishes his grand rule of love and justice on this earth (as it is in heaven).  ‘Revelation’ means that we are reading something we couldn’t have guessed or figured out on our own.  Revelation is what makes the Bible unique.”

Since we are beginning at the beginning of this book by God to us, let’s think about doing it well this time around—as God intended.  Here is a way to fully realize what God is trying to say to us.  There is an ancient practice called “lectio divina” (or “spiritual reading”) that has been used for centuries to do that very thing.  Here is a quick introduction.  If you want to learn more about it, you can go online to read more.  Basically, there are four components that make up lectio:  reading, thinking, praying, and living.  Sounds easy, but it takes practice to get into the groove. 

Ready to take the challenge?

READ, THINK, PRAY, LIVE—

READ

This one takes the most practice.  We live in a culture that places significant value on time and convenience, and this first practice is anything but speedy.  To truly read the Bible, you’ve got to soak yourself in it.

Have you ever been to the ocean?  Have you ever been in the ocean?  Not just pulling up in a car, taking your shoes off and sticking your big toe in the water.  Have you ever immersed yourself in the ocean?  When you do that, it’s almost as if a whole new world opens up to you.  You see and feel and taste and hear things you never could have just walking along the beach—you experience things hidden from the spectators on the beach.  It’s the same when you come to the Bible.  When you immerse yourself in it, a whole new world opens up.

As usual, the Bible says it best:

“Place these words on your hearts.  Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder—Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night.  Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you’ll live a long time.”  (Deuteronomy 11)

“How can a young person live a clean life?  By carefully reading eh map of your Word.  I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.”  (Psalm 119)

Eugene describes it this way:

“First, it is important simply to read, leisurely and thoughtfully.  We need to get a feel for the way these stories and songs, these prayers and conversations, these sermons and visions, invite us into this large, large world in which the invisible God is behind and involved in everything visible, and illuminates what it means to live here—really live, not just get across the street.”

We will discuss THINK, PRAY, LIVE in the days ahead.  This is probably enough for now.  Try reading the first chapter of Genesis leisurely and thoughtfully.  Ask God what He wants us to “hear” as we read.  God answers a prayer like that.  When we read in this way, we begin to “get it’.  We are in conversation with God!  We find ourselves listening and answering in matters that most concern us:  who we are, where we came from, where we are going, what makes us tick, the texture of the world and the communities we live in, and—most of all—the incredible love of God among us, doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves!

GENESIS—THE BEGINNING

Genesis 1, The Message

Heaven and Earth

1-2 First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.

3-5 God spoke: “Light!”
    And light appeared.
God saw that light was good
    and separated light from dark.
God named the light Day,
    he named the dark Night.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day One.

6-8 God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters;
    separate water from water!”
God made sky.
He separated the water under sky
    from the water above sky.
And there it was:
    he named sky the Heavens;
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Two.

9-10 God spoke: “Separate!
    Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place;
Land, appear!”
    And there it was.
God named the land Earth.
    He named the pooled water Ocean.
God saw that it was good.

11-13 God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties
    of seed-bearing plants,
Every sort of fruit-bearing tree.”
    And there it was.
Earth produced green seed-bearing plants,
    all varieties,
And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts.
    God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Three.

14-15 God spoke: “Lights! Come out!
    Shine in Heaven’s sky!
Separate Day from Night.
    Mark seasons and days and years,
Lights in Heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.”
    And there it was.

16-19 God made two big lights, the larger
    to take charge of Day,
The smaller to be in charge of Night;
    and he made the stars.
God placed them in the heavenly sky
    to light up Earth
And oversee Day and Night,
    to separate light and dark.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Four.

20-23 God spoke: “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life!
    Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!”
God created the huge whales,
    all the swarm of life in the waters,
And every kind and species of flying birds.
    God saw that it was good.
God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean!
    Birds, reproduce on Earth!”
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Five.

24-25 God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:
    cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.”
And there it was:
    wild animals of every kind,
Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug.
    God saw that it was good.

26-28 God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
    reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
    the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
    and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
    he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
    He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
    “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
    for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

29-30 Then God said, “I’ve given you
    every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
    given them to you for food.
To all animals and all birds,
    everything that moves and breathes,
I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”
    And there it was.

31 God looked over everything he had made;
    it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Six.

Lord,

I’m excited about starting over at the beginning of your Word.  You are already speaking wisdom in volumes to my heart, mind and soul that loves you.  Continue to speak to my heart and to the hearts of all who read this.  Help us all to know you more, as our Friend, who knows us best and wants the best for us.  How can we turn away from someone whose love never ends and will never betray us?  I cannot.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

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STOP, DROP AND PRAISE!

Posted on June 5, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Stop, drop and roll is the adage given when you are on fire physically.  How about today, right now, we stop, drop everything and every thought are thinking and praise God?!.  Some of us need to catch the fire of God’s Spirit!  That happens when we praise Him, tell Him we know how great He is along with thanking Him for all He is and all He has done in our lives and in the lives around us!  Let’s do this—right now!

Psalm 150

1 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!
2 Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!
3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!
4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!
5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Yes, and Amen!

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FINAL CHAPTER!

Posted on June 4, 2022 by randscallawayffm

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING!

Revelation 22, The Message

1-5 Then the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service—worshiping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God. Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age.

Don’t Put It Away on the Shelf

6-7 The Angel said to me, “These are dependable and accurate words, every one. The God and Master of the spirits of the prophets sent his Angel to show his servants what must take place, and soon. And tell them, ‘Yes, I’m on my way!’ Blessed be the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8-9 I, John, saw all these things with my own eyes, heard them with my ears. Immediately when I heard and saw, I fell on my face to worship at the feet of the Angel who laid it all out before me. He objected, “No you don’t! I’m a servant just like you and your companions, the prophets, and all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”

10-11 The Angel continued, “Don’t seal the words of the prophecy of this book; don’t put it away on the shelf. Time is just about up. Let evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness.”

* * *

12-13 “Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.

14-15 “How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City. But outside for good are the filthy curs: sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters—all who love and live lies.

16 “I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I’m the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star.”

17 “Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride.
Whoever hears, echo, “Come!”
Is anyone thirsty? Come!
All who will, come and drink,
Drink freely of the Water of Life!

18-19 I give fair warning to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: If you add to the words of this prophecy, God will add to your life the disasters written in this book; if you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book.

20 He who testifies to all these things says it again: “I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon!”

Yes! Come, Master Jesus!

21 The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!

Our prayer this morning…

In Jesus Name, For God’s Glory, Amen!  Yes, Come, dear Jesus!

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EVERYTHING NEW! 

Posted on June 3, 2022 by randscallawayffm

As a young kid growing up in a suburb of a larger city, we were so excited when a grand new discount grocery store moved into the neighborhood.  It was bigger than all the other grocery stores. The manager was an extreme bargain hunter who searched for the “best price” for every single product.  He was so driven; he was hard on all the vendors he dealt with on a daily basis.  He told them what he was going to pay or their product didn’t get put on his shelves.  We got to know the owner, learned how obsessive he was because my brother worked there and later my son.  I would like to say that all he did was for our benefit as customers, but it was solely to make a buck for his pocket.  He outsold, outpriced and outmanaged all his competitors around him.  We went there begrudgingly because times were financially challenging and he did have the best price and he knew it.

But that’s not all!  This grocery store manager made a vow that no matter what, the store would be open 24/7.  He even ceremonially buried the keys to the doors into the concrete threshold to “make his point”.  No holidays were observed.  The store never closed.  His family, (bless their hearts), were part of the management team.  His two sons had to work their way up from stockmen to management, working long hours.  The owner always had the last word.  He was a hard man.  No one wanted to make him mad or irritated.

A life-changing event happened in this man’s life one day.  His beloved son was killed in a warehouse accident.  The manager became even more hardened and bitter.  We rarely saw him smile.  Most were afraid of his arrogant, intimidating manner.  As I look back, remembering this man and his family, it makes me sad about what could have been.  We moved away years ago.  The grocery store successfully opened three more locations around the city, but at what cost? The man and his family gave their lives for riches that will fade away.  He thought he was in total control of his destiny.  But was he?

There is a love that cannot be replicated by any other human.  We can come close if we dedicate our lives to this love, but we cannot reach the depth, width, or heights of this love.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  His Son, Jesus, fulfilled his Father’s mission and gave up his life for us.  What kind of love is this?

But that’s not all!  Jesus has so much more in store for those who declare Him Lord of their lives no, here on earth.  All who believe, repent and follow Jesus receives help with life here while preparing for eternal life in a new place!  Anyone reading this can be “managed for our best interests” by the One and Only who laid down his life for you and me by following Jesus as Lord of our lives! 

And get this…He paid the ultimate price for our souls, declaring us free from all debt of sin that enslaves us.  He didn’t try to strike a bargain for us, there were no manipulations, no arrogant ploys of deception lodged against His accusers for us.  No, He was willing to pay the full price to give us new life in Him!  This new life still gives and gives and gives some more.  Each new day brings a fresh look into His word coupled with His Holy Spirit who speaks to our heart, mind and soul with words of comfort for us, challenges for adventure with Him, while reminding us of His never-ending, 24/7 love, mercy and grace.  He too, is always open, 24/7, to hear from us!

AND NOW, we learn that not only is Jesus is coming back for His own, like He promised, God is creating a NEW place for us to live, also open 24/7!  We, whose names are in His Book of Life will experience life forever in a place that can only be imagined, maybe, in our dreams!  John is told that all he is hearing and seeing must be written down for all of us to read, believe and be encouraged!  This is Truth, “each word dependable and accurate.”

Believe and be saved—forever!

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 21, The Message

I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.

2I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.

3-5 I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”

6-8 Then he said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I’ll be God to them, they’ll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the feckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it’s Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!”

The City of Light

9-12 One of the Seven Angels who had carried the bowls filled with the seven final disasters spoke to me: “Come here. I’ll show you the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb.” He took me away in the Spirit to an enormous, high mountain and showed me Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God, resplendent in the bright glory of God.

12-14 The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light. She had a wall majestic and high with twelve gates. At each gate stood an Angel, and on the gates were inscribed the names of the Twelve Tribes of the sons of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, three gates on the west. The wall was set on twelve foundations, the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb inscribed on them.

15-21 The Angel speaking with me had a gold measuring stick to measure the City, its gates, and its wall. The City was laid out in a perfect square. He measured the City with the measuring stick: fifteen hundred miles, its length, width, and height all equal. Using the standard measure, the Angel measured the thickness of its wall: seventy-two yards. The wall was jasper, the color of Glory, and the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. The foundations of the City walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate a single pearl.

21-27 The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth’s kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won’t be any night. They’ll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will get in.

TRY TO IMAGINE OUR NEW CITY OF RESIDENCE—

No more crying.  No more tears.  Nothing to worry about or be concerned.

No electric bills for God’s Glory is the Light and the Lamb is the Lamp.  No night there!

No death.  No funerals.  No funeral dinners.

Nothing ugly or dirty, defiled or deceiving can get in.

And the best part?  “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women!

The beauty and splendor of the jewels and gold streets are surely impressive, but to be with the Lord and all who love the Lord is the best part of all! 

Lord,

There is no one like you!  There is no one I would rather spend my days with on earth or in eternity!  You have brought me through hard trials and troubles with lessons that were hard but necessary for me to grasp.  You have given me power to grow in your character, learning to be more and more like you and less like imperfect me.  You have humbled me while loving me supremely, like no other.  You have given me so many adventures with you to tell your story!  I could spend another lifetime on earth just remembering them with gratitude and praise!  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole.  Thank you for new life, renewed Spirit, refreshed soul, and restored joy.  That is all you, the One who manages my life with care, compassion and completeness.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!

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THE BOOK OF LIFE

Posted on June 2, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Some of us torment ourselves by rewinding the tape on hurt by others or hurt we caused, sins of our youth, along with other regretful times of our lives.  Some of us are always looking back, second guessing, worrying over things we cannot change, bringing undue, unhealthy stress to our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. 

Some of us are merely calloused people who just move on, seemingly careless about what he/she has done, gossip about others to lift ourselves up a little higher, but on the inside unrepented sin corrupts and causes the calloused to be sarcastic to others.  Hurting people hurt people is a true statement of life today. 

Some of us love like our lives depended on it.  We see the hurt of others and come to their aid as a friend.  We pray, asking God for wisdom while repenting of our own sin.  We live for God, with Jesus in us, guided by His promised Holy Spirit to keep us focused on Him.  We worship God alone and give all our cares and concerns to Him.

All beliefs and behaviors are recorded in The Book of Life.  We need to stop and evaluate what will be seen of our unrepented sins?  We wonder what deeds are recorded?  What will get the “Well done, my good and faithful servant” nod from God?

This thinking goes way beyond the “wait until your Father comes home”!

When we repent, asking God for forgiveness of our sins with sincere hearts of remorse, we are promised that sins repented will be “remembered no more.”  We can count on that.  “Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived” may have more to do with our hearts, attitudes, current lifestyle that reflects who and what we really believe.  The review of our lives may be more about judging the formation of our spiritual lives.  Did we conform to the world, as Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2, or did we allow our waking up, walking around lives to be transformed by Jesus each day we lived?  Transformation by Jesus means becoming more and more in every way like Him. 

Who will we look like when the Book of Life is opened? 

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 20, The Message

A Thousand Years

1-3 I saw an Angel descending out of Heaven. He carried the key to the Abyss and a chain—a huge chain. He grabbed the Dragon, that old Snake—the very Devil, Satan himself!—chained him up for a thousand years, dumped him into the Abyss, slammed it shut and sealed it tight. No more trouble out of him, deceiving the nations—until the thousand years are up. After that he has to be let loose briefly.

4-6 I saw thrones. Those put in charge of judgment sat on the thrones. I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God, who refused to worship either the Beast or his image, refused to take his mark on forehead or hand—they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years! The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were up. This is the first resurrection—and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They’re priests of God and Christ; they’ll reign with him a thousand years.

7-10 When the thousand years are up, Satan will be let loose from his cell, and will launch again his old work of deceiving the nations, searching out victims in every nook and cranny of earth, even Gog and Magog! He’ll talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. They’ll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of God’s holy people, the Beloved City. They’ll no sooner get there than fire will pour out of Heaven and burn them up. The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end.

Judgment

11-15 I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire.

WHAT WE KNOW—

One last battle will be fought briefly with Satan and his demons, but he will lose and be put away forever.  Anyone who follows him will go to the Lake of Fire with him.  Don’t be deceived.  Don’t sit and stew over sin, repent now.  Then worries about what happens when Jesus comes are gone!

Those who call on the name of Jesus Christ, believe Him, repent of all sins are saved to live forever with Him.  Yes, and Amen!

Lord,

I give my life to you as an offering of worship to you.  Only you can turn my repented messes into a message of glory to You.  I believe.  I trust in you, dear Jesus, to continue to transform my life for your glory.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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HERE HE COMES!

Posted on June 1, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Let’s just praise the Lord today! Along with this chapter of Hallelujahs, Today’s praise songs play in the background of my mind.  THIS is the day of rejoicing to all who believe and follow Jesus, abiding in Him, never giving up on His promises to us…

These are the days of Elijah
Declaring the word of the Lord,
And these are the days of Your servant, Moses
Righteousness being restored

These are the days of great trials
Of famine and darkness and sword
Still we are the voice in the desert crying
Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

Say, behold He comes, riding on the clouds
Shining like the sun, at the trumpet’s call
Lift your voice, (it’s) the year of Jubilee
Out of Zion’s hill, salvation comes!

By Don Marsh

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 19, The Message

The Sound of Hallelujahs

1-3 I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing,

Hallelujah!
The salvation and glory and power are God’s—
    his judgments true, his judgments just.
He judged the great Whore
    who corrupted the earth with her lust.
He avenged on her the blood of his servants.

Then, more singing:

Hallelujah!
The smoke from her burning billows up
    to high Heaven forever and ever and ever.

4 The Twenty-four Elders and the Four Animals fell to their knees and worshiped God on his Throne, praising,

Amen! Yes! Hallelujah!

5 From the Throne came a shout, a command:

Praise our God, all you his servants,
All you who fear him, small and great!

6-8 Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of mighty rapids, the sound of strong thunder:

Hallelujah!
The Master reigns,
    our God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,
    let us give him the glory!
The Marriage of the Lamb has come;
    his Wife has made herself ready.
She was given a bridal gown
    of bright and shining linen.
The linen is the righteousness of the saints.

9 The Angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’” He added, “These are the true words of God!”

10 I fell at his feet to worship him, but he wouldn’t let me. “Don’t do that,” he said. “I’m a servant just like you, and like your brothers and sisters who hold to the witness of Jesus. The witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

A White Horse and Its Rider

11-16 Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.

17-18 I saw an Angel standing in the sun, shouting to all flying birds in Middle-Heaven, “Come to the Great Supper of God! Feast on the flesh of kings and captains and champions, horses and their riders. Eat your fill of them all—free and slave, small and great!”

19-21 I saw the Beast and, assembled with him, earth’s kings and their armies, ready to make war against the One on the horse and his army. The Beast was taken, and with him, his puppet, the False Prophet, who used signs to dazzle and deceive those who had taken the mark of the Beast and worshiped his image. They were thrown alive, those two, into Lake Fire and Brimstone. The rest were killed by the sword of the One on the horse, the sword that comes from his mouth. All the birds held a feast on their flesh.

Friends, these older songs come to mind right now…

O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace

ALL the things of earth that is not of God will be destroyed in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ to come back and claim His own.  Are you one of His?  Am I?  Really? 

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

 This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Lord,

I’m sure you are the One and Only who saved by soul for eternity.  In times of trouble you are there with me, teaching me, while hold my hand and sometimes dragging me out of what hurts me.  You are the One I cling to, the One and Only I worship, trust and want to obey.  You are God and I am not.  I need you every hour of every day.  And you are there.  I trust in you, dear Jesus.  You are the Lamb of God and we are your bride! 

In Jesus Name, Amen

Hallelujah!

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WHEN IT ALL FALLS…

Posted on May 31, 2022 by randscallawayffm

I remember reading and learning in our history books about the great Stock Market Crash of 1929.  It brought disastrous results to those at the top who thought they had the world by the tail.  The stock market crash of 1929 was a collapse of stock prices that began on October 24, 1929. By October 29, 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had dropped by 30.57%, marking one of the worst declines in U.S. history. It destroyed confidence in Wall Street markets and led to the Great Depression. 

Shocking I know, media fed the frenzy that soon took place.  People who worked hard to accumulate their wealth in this way became paralyzed in fear, realizing life as they knew it was gone, being in control of their destiny was no longer theirs to control.  The “self-made man” experienced extreme humiliation.  Some could not imagine losing their lifestyles of elegance, legacies of wealth and took the suicidal route. These once important men who “had it all” jumped out of their New York skyscraper offices to their death because they felt they had lost it all. 

All their hopes were on money and power.  Satan loves that for he knows that if he can lure us to think we hold all the cards in life and control every move that is made, placing all hope on self, he can easily take us down.  His goal for us.

The opposite is true of God.  Our hope in Jesus is eternal, never-ending, unchanging. It is not based on manmade wealth, stock markets, or trades. It doesn’t matter what you have or hold in savings.  All God wants is you and me loving Him back, fully devoted to Him, walking in His ways, protected and provided for by Him, relying fully on His wisdom, insight and understanding.  The One who knows us best what His best for us!

No matter what happens next in our world right now, if we have Jesus Christ at the center of our being, we will be ready for His return.

The devasting Crash of 1929 followed by the Great Depression was a very small event compared to what will happen when God has had enough of those who rely completely on self, led by the Enemy.

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 18, The Message

Doom to the City of Darkness

1-8 Following this I saw another Angel descend from Heaven. His authority was immense, his glory flooded earth with brightness, his voice thunderous:

Ruined, ruined, Great Babylon, ruined!
    A ghost town for demons is all that’s left!
A garrison of carrion spirits,
    garrison of loathsome, carrion birds.
All nations drank the wild wine of her whoring;
    kings of the earth went whoring with her;
    entrepreneurs made millions exploiting her.

Just then I heard another shout out of Heaven:

Get out, my people, as fast as you can,
    so you don’t get mixed up in her sins,
    so you don’t get caught in her doom.
Her sins stink to high Heaven;
    God has remembered every evil she’s done.
Give her back what she’s given,
    double what she’s doubled in her works,
    double the recipe in the cup she mixed;
Bring her flaunting and wild ways
    to torment and tears.
Because she gloated, “I’m queen over all,
    and no widow, never a tear on my face,”
In one day, disasters will crush her—
    death, heartbreak, and famine—
Then she’ll be burned by fire, because God,
    the Strong God who judges her,
    has had enough.

9-10 “The kings of the earth will see the smoke of her burning, and they’ll cry and carry on, the kings who went night after night to her brothel. They’ll keep their distance for fear they’ll get burned, and they’ll cry their lament:

Doom, doom, the great city doomed!
    City of Babylon, strong city!
In one hour it’s over, your judgment come!

11-17 “The traders will cry and carry on because the bottom dropped out of business, no more market for their goods: gold, silver, precious gems, pearls; fabrics of fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet; perfumed wood and vessels of ivory, precious woods, bronze, iron, and marble; cinnamon and spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine and oil, flour and wheat; cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots. And slaves—their terrible traffic in human lives.

Everything you’ve lived for, gone!
    All delicate and delectable luxury, lost!
    Not a scrap, not a thread to be found!

“The traders who made millions off her kept their distance for fear of getting burned, and cried and carried on all the more:

Doom, doom, the great city doomed!
    Dressed in the latest fashions,
    adorned with the finest jewels,
    in one hour such wealth wiped out!

17-19 “All the ship captains and travelers by sea, sailors and toilers of the sea, stood off at a distance and cried their lament when they saw the smoke from her burning: ‘Oh, what a city! There was never a city like her!’ They threw dust on their heads and cried as if the world had come to an end:

Doom, doom, the great city doomed!
    All who owned ships or did business by sea
Got rich on her getting and spending.
    And now it’s over—wiped out in one hour!

20 “O Heaven, celebrate! And join in, saints, apostles, and prophets! God has judged her; every wrong you suffered from her has been judged.”

21-24 A strong Angel reached for a boulder—huge, like a millstone—and heaved it into the sea, saying,

Heaved and sunk, the great city Babylon,
    sunk in the sea, not a sign of her ever again.
Silent the music of harpists and singers—
    you’ll never hear flutes and trumpets again.
Artisans of every kind—gone;
    you’ll never see their likes again.
The voice of a millstone grinding falls dumb;
    you’ll never hear that sound again.
The light from lamps, never again;
    never again laughter of bride and groom.
Her traders robbed the whole earth blind,
    and by black-magic arts deceived the nations.
The only thing left of Babylon is blood—
    the blood of saints and prophets,
    the murdered and the martyred.

THINK ABOUT IT…

Do you really believe what God says to be true really real in your life?  Our behaviors will reflect what we value, respect and are in awe of in our world.

Babylon, “the woman”, was not only an ancient city and a powerful empire, but also the symbol of mankind’s rebellion against God.  It birthed other anti-God religions. 

True unity of the Spirit exists among believers, but we must not compromise by joining forces with that which is opposed to Christ.

What specific sins would God judge?

We have already noted Babylon’s evil influence on the nations of the world, seducing them with idolatry. Another sin that will be judged is pride: “She (Babylon) has glorified herself!” (Rev. 18:7)

A third sin is Babylon’s worship of pleasures and luxury. To “live deliciously” (Rev. 18:7) is to live proudly in luxury while others go without. It means to make possessions and pleasures the most important things in life and to ignore the needs of others. John summarized this attitude as “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

In one day, the entire economic empire will collapse! But those who have their citizenship in heaven will rejoice at the judgment of God.

Are we ready to rejoice or lament?  It depends on who we believe and place all our hope and faith upon no matter what is happening around us.

Lord,

It is not what I have accumulated that you want.  You want me.  All of me.  You want a person who will put you first, at the beginning of each new day, asking and desiring what you want from us that will grow and mature us in your love.  I get it.  I want it.  I choose you because you chose me.  I love you because you first loved me.  In a world of manipulations, betrayals, and deceiving behaviors caused by self-pride that idolizes what matters least to you, I choose what you value—people who love you back.  And I am one of them.  Abide in me as I abide in You—as promised.  Forever.In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.  Yes!  Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

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GOOD VS. EVIL

Posted on May 30, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Books have been written and movies made with two main characters—the good one and the evil one.  They both have their people around them who serve them and are loyal to them.  We read or watch wondering who will win, hoping who will win, and then celebrating the victor.  We are drawn to the ageless storyline time and time again.

The plot rises and falls on the activities of the good one and the evil one.  The story rises to climax when it looks as if the evil one will indeed win.  I have heard booing in the theater or at home!  However, the good one changes everything in the last chapter or last scene.  The good one lives after all, enduring all the hits, disgrace, slaps in the face and being bound up—or so the evil one thought!  The good one was never really bound and fulfills the plot plan of the Author of the Book as the Victor.  The good one celebrates with all who were loyal to him.  He is the Victor!

Admit it, there is seldom a time in our books and movies that evil wins over good.  Where did this plot line begin?  With Adam and Eve, created to live in a perfectly good place, enjoying a wonderful relationship with God, until evil opened the door to all that is not good.  They fell for evil—hard.  But the story did not end there.

We have been writing books and producing movies ever since with this plot sequence.  It is no wonder God gives John this vision for the troubled, persecuted church in this way.  We get it.  All that is evil with perverse, manipulative, torturous, nasty behavior will be dealt with in power over evil with all that is God.  God will not allow evil to win.  In His time, in His ways, evil will be defeated and sent to hell forever.  Evil tries to be king by working through kings on earth, but he will fail.  There is only One King!

Be on the winning side.  Come to Jesus.  Pray, asking for wisdom to think and behave like Jesus. Here is what being like the One who saved us looks like:

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
    he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:1-11

We all know who wins in the end—If you read the Book! 

Revelation is coming to a climax with the evil one, the whore, who represents all that is evil.

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 17, The Message

Great Babylon, Mother of Whores

1-2 One of the Seven Angels who carried the seven bowls came and invited me, “Come, I’ll show you the judgment of the great Whore who sits enthroned over many waters, the Whore with whom the kings of the earth have gone whoring, show you the judgment on earth dwellers drunk on her whorish lust.”

3-6 In the Spirit he carried me out in the desert. I saw a woman mounted on a Scarlet Beast. Stuffed with blasphemies, the Beast had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, festooned with gold and gems and pearls. She held a gold chalice in her hand, brimming with defiling obscenities, her foul fornications. A riddle-name was branded on her forehead: great babylon, mother of whores and abominations of the earth. I could see that the woman was drunk, drunk on the blood of God’s holy people, drunk on the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

6-8 Astonished, I rubbed my eyes. I shook my head in wonder. The Angel said, “Does this surprise you? Let me tell you the riddle of the woman and the Beast she rides, the Beast with seven heads and ten horns. The Beast you saw once was, is no longer, and is about to ascend from the Abyss and head straight for Hell. Earth dwellers whose names weren’t written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be dazzled when they see the Beast that once was, is no longer, and is to come.

9-11 “But don’t drop your guard. Use your head. The seven heads are seven hills; they are where the woman sits. They are also seven kings: five dead, one living, the other not yet here—and when he does come his time will be brief. The Beast that once was and is no longer is both an eighth and one of the seven—and headed for Hell.

12-14 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings, but they’re not yet in power. They will come to power with the Scarlet Beast, but won’t last long—a very brief reign. These kings will agree to turn over their power and authority to the Beast. They will go to war against the Lamb but the Lamb will defeat them, proof that he is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, and those with him will be the called, chosen, and faithful.”

15-18 The Angel continued, “The waters you saw on which the Whore was enthroned are peoples and crowds, nations and languages. And the ten horns you saw, together with the Beast, will turn on the Whore—they’ll hate her, violate her, strip her naked, rip her apart with their teeth, then set fire to her. It was God who put the idea in their heads to turn over their rule to the Beast until the words of God are completed. The woman you saw is the great city, tyrannizing the kings of the earth.”

VICTORY IS NEAR—

Beginning in Revelation 17, John describes the Lamb’s step-by-step victory over “the beast” and his kingdom. In Revelation 17, the religious system is judged; in Revelation 18, the political and economic system fall victim. Finally, the Lord Himself returns to earth; judges Satan, “the beast,” and the false prophet (Rev. 19:19–20); and then establishes His kingdom. 

Keep reading!  We’re almost there!

Lord,

You teach us daily of all that we wonder about real Life.  You give us wisdom for living life well—when we ask.  You gave us your Son to pay the debt for our sin. Thank you, dear Jesus!  We know You will come back again to claim your own.  I am yours, Lord, heart, mind and soul.  Thank you for forgiving me, transforming me daily and making me ready to meet you.  Thank you for renewing my Spirit, refreshing my soul and cleansing my heart while restoring the joy of my salvation.  Someday, we’ll be together.  It will be worth all the trials here to be there with You.  You are the Victor now and then. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

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POURING OUT

Posted on May 29, 2022 by randscallawayffm

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” –Jesus, Matthew 26:28

There is always a limit to how much we can stand or take from those in the world who bring us down, malign our character, lie about the work we do.  Evil people want you to look bad, feel bad and mostly get out of their way so they can get their way.  Some of us respond by silently, keeping our heads down and keep working.  But we begin storing up all the hurt, deceit and eventual anger in our being until we cannot hold it any longer. 

Some of us are lightening quick to judge and judgement.  We pour out our anger on everyone around us whether they are guilty or not.  We are not to judge but think it is required to put others “in their place”, a judgement all on its own. 

Some of us just want to love and be loved but not everyone thinks that way.  We want to get along with each other, work together for peace in gracious ways.  We love God with all that is in us and seek to be guided by Him, knowing He has the best for us who love Him back.  We believe judgement that is right, pure and holy belongs to the One who is perfect in every way.

No matter what we believe, wars break out in families, communities, and throughout the world.  Self-promoted people use God’s name in vain, perform acts of disgrace, working hard to think of more disgusting ways to hurt each people who get in their way or just for the sport of it.  Worship of anyone but God leads to Beastly worship of self. 

John is given the vision of seeing what happens when God has had enough.  God will pour out the wrath He has been storing up upon those who are marked by sin.  He has every right to do so.

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 16, The Message

Pouring Out the Seven Disasters

16 I heard a shout of command from the Temple to the Seven Angels: “Begin! Pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on earth!”

2 The first Angel stepped up and poured his bowl out on earth: Loathsome, stinking sores erupted on all who had taken the mark of the Beast and worshiped its image.

3 The second Angel poured his bowl on the sea: The sea coagulated into blood, and everything in it died.

4-7 The third Angel poured his bowl on rivers and springs: The waters turned to blood. I heard the Angel of Waters say,

Righteous you are, and your judgments are righteous,
    The Is, The Was, The Holy.
They poured out the blood of saints and prophets
    so you’ve given them blood to drink—
    they’ve gotten what they deserve!

Just then I heard the Altar chime in,

Yes, O God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Your judgments are true and just!

8-9 The fourth Angel poured his bowl on the sun: Fire blazed from the sun and scorched men and women. Burned and blistered, they cursed God’s Name, the God behind these disasters. They refused to repent, refused to honor God.

10-11 The fifth Angel poured his bowl on the throne of the Beast: Its kingdom fell into sudden eclipse. Mad with pain, men and women bit and chewed their tongues, cursed the God-of-Heaven for their torment and sores, and refused to repent and change their ways.

12-14 The sixth Angel poured his bowl on the great Euphrates River: It dried up to nothing. The dry riverbed became a fine roadbed for the kings from the East. From the mouths of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet I saw three foul demons crawl out—they looked like frogs. These are demon spirits performing signs. They’re after the kings of the whole world to get them gathered for battle on the Great Day of God, the Sovereign-Strong.

15 “Keep watch! I come unannounced, like a thief. You’re blessed if, awake and dressed, you’re ready for me. Too bad if you’re found running through the streets, naked and ashamed.”

16 The frog-demons gathered the kings together at the place called in Hebrew Armageddon.

17-21 The seventh Angel poured his bowl into the air: From the Throne in the Temple came a shout, “Done!” followed by lightning flashes and shouts, thunder crashes and a colossal earthquake—a huge and devastating earthquake, never an earthquake like it since time began. The Great City split three ways, the cities of the nations toppled to ruin. Great Babylon had to drink the wine of God’s raging anger—God remembered to give her the cup! Every island fled and not a mountain was to be found. Hailstones weighing close to a hundred pounds plummeted, crushing and smashing men and women as they cursed God for the hail, the epic disaster of hail.

THINGS TO CONSIDER—

Reviewing these three chapters, we see the encouragement they give to suffering Christians. The sealed 144,000 will arrive on Mount Zion and praise God (Rev. 14:1–5). The martyrs will also be in glory, praising God (Rev. 15:1–4). John’s message is clear: it is possible to be victorious over “the beast” and be an overcomer!

Every generation of Christians has been able to identify with the events in Revelation 14—16. There has always been a “beast” to oppress God’s people and a false prophet to try to lead them astray. We have always been on the verge of an “Armageddon” as the nations wage war.

“But in the last days, these events will accelerate and the Bible’s prophecies will be ultimately fulfilled. I believe the church will not be on the scene at that time, but both Jewish and Gentile believers will be living who will have to endure Antichrist’s rule.

The admonition in Revelation 16:15 applies to us all: “Behold, I [Jesus] come as a thief. Blessed is he that watch, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Jesus Christ may return at any time, and it behooves us to keep our lives clean, to watch, and to be faithful.” –Warren Wiersbe, Bible Commentator and Theologian

Lord,

I’m listening, learning and preparing.  It is so easy to be drawn away from your care but that is not what I want.  It is easy to be righteously angry but only you are the judge.  Cleanse our hearts of all that offends you.  Renew a right Spirit in us—Your Holy Spirit.  Refresh our souls.  Restore the joy of your salvation in us.  Make us ready, shoes on, ready for your coming.

In Jesus Name, Amen

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” –Jesus, Matthew 26:28

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