THEY SANG

Posted on September 6, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Revelation – Jesus IS Coming Back!

When I am happy a certain song comes to mind and I sing it. When I am sad, a different song comes to mind. When I am seeking God in troubled times, a song that gives me peace echos in my thoughts and I sing it. Since the beginning of time God has used music, chants, psalms, harps, cymbals and trumpets to bring Him praise, heal our hearts, alert us to trouble ahead and encourage our being. He also uses songs to bring us to attention. But most of all, the song sung by the saints not bullied into beastly worship, was all about God…

“You and you only are holy, all nations will come and worship you, because they see your judgments are right.”

Revelation 15 the lambThis song of righteous praise to our Creator and Father God herald the beginning of God’s wrath to those who worshiped the world and everything in it. God’s wrath is poured out instead of God blessings as we normally think of “pouring out”. There will be a time when enough is enough. The beast and the worship of him is over. Those who worshiped him and cursed God will have to pay a stiff price.

Then I think of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son who paid a hefty, torturous price for me…for us. What else would we expect for those who still mock Him, run from Him, try to be God themselves and bully others who believe into thinking He is not real, alive, active and powerful?

Yes, the wrap up of God’s wrath is the beginning of the end of the new beginning. Let’s push on…

Revelation 15, The Message
The Song of Moses, the Song of the Lamb
15 I saw another Sign in Heaven, huge and breathtaking: seven Angels with seven disasters. These are the final disasters, the wrap-up of God’s wrath.

2-4 I saw something like a sea made of glass, the glass all shot through with fire. Carrying harps of God, triumphant over the Beast, its image, and the number of its name, the saved ones stood on the sea of glass. They sang the Song of Moses, servant of God; they sang the Song of the Lamb:

Revelation 15 power over evilMighty your acts and marvelous,
O God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Righteous your ways and true,
King of the nations!
Who can fail to fear you, God,
give glory to your Name?
Because you and you only are holy,
all nations will come and worship you,
because they see your judgments are right.

5-8 Then I saw the doors of the Temple, the Tent of Witness in Heaven, open wide. The Seven Angels carrying the seven disasters came out of the Temple. They were dressed in clean, bright linen and wore gold vests. One of the Four Animals handed the Seven Angels seven gold bowls, brimming with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. Smoke from God’s glory and power poured out of the Temple. No one was permitted to enter the Temple until the seven disasters of the Seven Angels were finished.

Revelation 15 kingdom comeWhat song are you singing today? Sing it loud and strong if it brings God glory and praise! Sing it all day long if it fills our hearts with love and dispels all hate. Sing it with your whole heart, mind and soul as a love song to God.

Yes! May we “pour out” His song of blessings and truly live the Song of the Redeemer for now. Now is the time to sing!

“Mighty your acts and marvelous, 
Oh God, the Sovereign-Strong! 
Righteous your ways and true,
King of the nations!”

Rejoice…Jesus IS Coming Back!

Dear Heavenly Father, 
We are walking through the revelation of you and your coming back to claim your own with joy and peace because we know you and believe what you say. Thank you for helping us to know, to love, to change and transform. Continue to work out your salvation in and through us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing…

The sky shall unfold
Preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him
With thunders of praise

The sweet light in His eyes, shall enhance those awaiting
And we shall behold Him, then face to face

O we shall behold Him, we shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory
O we shall behold Him, yes we shall behold Him
Face to face, our Savior and Lord

The angel will sound, the shout of His coming
And the sleeping shall rise, from there slumbering place
And those remaining, shall be changed in a moment
And we…

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NOTHING WASTED

Posted on September 5, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Revelation – Jesus IS Coming Back!
 
We feel good when a meal is prepared and eaten heartily with nothing wasted after consumption. We feel success when we can use products that deliver what they promised so nothing is wasted. There is satisfaction when we use all we have been given to manage with nothing wasted. Most of us do not like to waste food, gas for vehicles, or things that have purpose. As God followers, we desire that our time on the tasks God has invited us to be and do with Him not be wasted. Guess what? It’s not.
 
Satan tries to tell us daily that what we have done or are doing is a waste of time. Are these some of the thoughts you have had? (Maybe it’s just me, but I doubt it.)
 
People are not hearing what you say about God, so why bother.
 
You tried it once, why try again?
 
God is asking the impossible of you, so back out now.
 
Doing this is a waste of time. Who really cares or notices if the restrooms are clean and the trash is taken out at church?
 
Why invite someone in your neighborhood you know won’t come with you to church? It’s a waste of time to ask.
 
Why spend all these hours in preparation for Sunday when only a few will appreciate the work? I could be doing fun stuff.
 
They won’t really care if I don’t show up…It’s a waste of time.
 
Why are you stepping into a ministry no one else will do? This is such a waste of time and energy of your giftedness and abilities. (We were actually told that by humans.)
 
The above thoughts are brought to you by Satan. Now, read and hear Truth. In our passage today, God reveals to us, “None of what they’ve done is wasted; God blesses them for it all in the end.” That’s for us, too!!!
 
Revelation 14 God wasted no oneNONE of who we are and what we do in Jesus Name, called by God’s invitation to do it, is wasted. Nada, none, zilch. It all counts for His glory. Nothing goes beyond HIS notice. That’s WHO we do it for in the first place…not for our glory or the comfort of others. We do it, by God’s Holy Spirit in us, unto God, for God, with God as an offering of worship to God! Most people notice when you are doing what you do for God. It is Christ in us that draws people to Him!
 
If you hear nothing else in this vision of the revelation of Jesus Christ, get this; NOTHING IS WASTED.
 
Be encouraged with courage to keep doing what God has invited you to be and do, knowing nothing is wasted. God uses ALL for His glory.
 
One more thought…
God uses all of our life experiences for the next wonderful task He is getting us ready to do with Him. Nothing, absolutely nothing in our lives is wasted.
 
Revelation 14, The Message
A Perfect Offering
14 1-2 I saw—it took my breath away!—the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, 144,000 standing there with him, his Name and the Name of his Father inscribed on their foreheads. And I heard a voice out of Heaven, the sound like a cataract, like the crash of thunder.
 
2-5 And then I heard music, harp music and the harpists singing a new song before the Throne and the Four Animals and the Elders. Only the 144,000 could learn to sing the song. They were bought from earth, lived without compromise, virgin-fresh before God. Wherever the Lamb went, they followed. They were bought from humankind, firstfruits of the harvest for God and the Lamb. Not a false word in their mouths. A perfect offering.
 
Voices from Heaven
6-7 I saw another Angel soaring in Middle-Heaven. He had an Eternal Message to preach to all who were still on earth, every nation and tribe, every tongue and people. He preached in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory! His hour of judgment has come! Worship the Maker of Heaven and earth, salt sea and fresh water!”
 
8 A second Angel followed, calling out, “Ruined, ruined, Great Babylon ruined! She made all the nations drunk on the wine of her whoring!”
 
9-11 A third Angel followed, shouting, warning, “If anyone worships the Beast and its image and takes the mark on forehead or hand, that person will drink the wine of God’s wrath, prepared unmixed in his chalice of anger, and suffer torment from fire and brimstone in the presence of Holy Angels, in the presence of the Lamb. Smoke from their torment will rise age after age. No respite for those who worship the Beast and its image, who take the mark of its name.”
 
Revelation 14 keep on
12 Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God’s commands, staying faithful to Jesus.
 
13 I heard a voice out of Heaven, “Write this: Blessed are those who die in the Master from now on; how blessed to die that way!”
 
Revelation 14 nothing wasted
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “and blessed rest from their hard, hard work. None of what they’ve done is wasted; God blesses them for it all in the end.”
 
Harvest Time
14-16 I looked up, I caught my breath!—a white cloud and one like the Son of Man sitting on it. He wore a gold crown and held a sharp sickle. Another Angel came out of the Temple, shouting to the Cloud-Enthroned, “Swing your sickle and reap. It’s harvest time. Earth’s harvest is ripe for reaping.” The Cloud-Enthroned gave a mighty sweep of his sickle, began harvesting earth in a stroke.
 
17-18 Then another Angel came out of the Temple in Heaven. He also had a sharp sickle. Yet another Angel, the one in charge of tending the fire, came from the Altar. He thundered to the Angel who held the sharp sickle, “Swing your sharp sickle. Harvest earth’s vineyard. The grapes are bursting with ripeness.”
 
19-20 The Angel swung his sickle, harvested earth’s vintage, and heaved it into the winepress, the giant winepress of God’s wrath. The winepress was outside the City. As the vintage was trodden, blood poured from the winepress as high as a horse’s bridle, a river of blood for two hundred miles.
 
Revelation 14 follow
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this encouragement today. I know that when you come we will be judged by what we have done and by what we did not do. Transform us with courage for this journey. Train us to only listen to Your Voice. May all we are and then do be an offering of praise and worship to You.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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BEASTLY WORSHIP

Posted on September 4, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Revelation – Jesus IS Coming Back!

Worship. We “lifers” (grew up in the church) remember hymns of worship. Coming from Oklahoma we had a little gospel thrown into the mix. This caused division in our idea of worship in my home church. My own parents were appalled and said, “We can have a piano and organ…but guitars?” They were uncomfortable and I didn’t know exactly why. We had a choice to sing from the hard back hymnals or the paperback gospel books. (No overheads at the time!) It seemed to me as a child that smiling gospel singers where more fun than solemn hymn singers but that was my child-like impression.

THEN, during my “youth group” years choruses hit the big stage and a whole new war of worship opinions began to roll out in the church. Yikes, sing a scripture chorus in place of a hymn? “What is the world coming to?” (Now, I’m kind of laughing out loud.)

WHO was/is right? No one.

Before jumping into the next installment of John’s vision, let us remember where John was when he had this revelation of Jesus Christ. He was IN WORSHIP! John had worship on his mind and is preeminently concerned with worship. John is responsible for a circuit of churches on the mainland whose primary task is worship. Worship shapes the human community in response to the living God! If worship is neglected or perverted, our communities fall into chaos or under tyranny.

Our times are not favorable for worship. We have points of disagreement. Where does that come from? The world is hostile to worship. The Devil hates worship. As The Revelation makes clear, worship must be carried out under conditions decidedly uncongenial to it. Some Christians even get killed because they truly worship God.

This next passage is not easy reading but look closely at WHO is being worshiped. It is the BEAST, not GOD. It is not about what we sing or what we do in worship. It is about GOD and only GOD. Worship is our heart’s , response to God living freely in us. Worship is being grateful for all God has done in us and for us while abiding with us. Worship is not the song we sing or the instruments we play. Worship is our heart’s response to our living God.

The Beast enters into our worship when we debate what we do, what song we sing and how we respond to God. Now, I’m tearful. For my heart has been broken by those in God’s church who came only to “feel good”, to sing only the songs they knew were “right” and “holy” and to put down others whose response was different than their response. Holiness comes from God washing us white as snow by the blood sacrificed by Jesus Christ, His Son. Worship is our response to His Redemption of us. WE have nothing to do saving our souls. We realize that it is God and God alone who saves us and calls us His own. The Beast, and the Dragon (Satan) who gave him authority hates our worship of God alone. Everyone who did not know God and worship Him, worships the Beast.

Revelation 13 beast.jpgRevelation 13, The Message
The Beast from the Sea
1-2 And the Dragon stood on the shore of the sea. I saw a Beast rising from the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads—on each horn a crown, and each head inscribed with a blasphemous name. The Beast I saw looked like a leopard with bear paws and a lion’s mouth. The Dragon turned over its power to it, its throne and great authority.

3-4 One of the Beast’s heads looked as if it had been struck a deathblow, and then healed. The whole earth was agog, gaping at the Beast. They worshiped the Dragon who gave the Beast authority, and they worshiped the Beast, exclaiming, “There’s never been anything like the Beast! No one would dare go to war with the Beast!”

5-8 The Beast had a loud mouth, boastful and blasphemous. It could do anything it wanted for forty-two months. It yelled blasphemies against God, blasphemed his Name, blasphemed his Church, especially those already dwelling with God in Heaven. It was permitted to make war on God’s holy people and conquer them. It held absolute sway over all tribes and peoples, tongues and races. Everyone on earth whose name was not written from the world’s foundation in the slaughtered Lamb’s Book of Life will worship the Beast.

Revelation 13 war with the saints9-10 Are you listening to this? They’ve made their bed; now they must lie in it. Anyone marked for prison goes straight to prison; anyone pulling a sword goes down by the sword. Meanwhile, God’s holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground.

Revelation 13 worship leader from hellThe Beast from Under the Ground
11-12 I saw another Beast rising out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb but sounded like a dragon when it spoke. It was a puppet of the first Beast, made earth and everyone in it worship the first Beast, which had been healed of its deathblow.

13-17 This second Beast worked magical signs, dazzling people by making fire come down from Heaven. It used the magic it got from the Beast to dupe earth dwellers, getting them to make an image of the Beast that received the deathblow and lived. It was able to animate the image of the Beast so that it talked, and then arrange that anyone not worshiping the Beast would be killed. It forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark on the right hand or forehead. Without the mark of the name of the Beast or the number of its name, it was impossible to buy or sell anything.

18 Solve a riddle: Put your heads together and figure out the meaning of the number of the Beast. It’s a human number: 666.

WHO do we worship? No, seriously think about it…
Do we allow the beast to enter our hearts to pull us away from the worship of God to think only of our own comfort? Are we worshiping ourselves at that point?

Could the dragon and the beast be lurking in our churches today?

The beast’s “number” is almost up. Jesus IS coming back for his own. “Meanwhile, God’s holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground.”

Francis Chan, a well known Bible scholar and preacher, was met by a random church goer who said, “I didn’t really like church today.” Francis responded, “That’s okay, we weren’t worshiping you.”

Worship is an audience of ONE…The One and Only God.

Revelation 13 worshipDear Heavenly Father, 
Wow. The imagery of the worship of the dragon and then the beast hits close to home in our country. We spend a lot of effort getting things right while sometimes missing the point of worship which is our response to You and You alone. O Lord, thank you for your revelation to us today. I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. May the words and meditations of my heart please You and bring you praise! 
In Jesus Name, Amen

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BATTLES BEFORE BLESSINGS

Posted on September 3, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Revelation – Jesus IS Coming Back!
 
I’m going to let you in on a secret not many Christian speakers, preachers, teachers and seminar presenters talk about in public. It is the inward battle with Satan that comes before anything that is done for God’s glory and for people to learn more about Him. I’m pretty sure it is not just Randy and I who have gone through these battles.
 
Satan hates it when we give our lives to God, follow His lead and talk about Him in ways that others find and follow Jesus, too. Satan hates it when we teach children about Him. Satan hates it when we help others find focus and cast their hearts, minds and souls back to Christ. Jesus Christ is his number one enemy. He is extremely jealous of the One who is God’s Son and who reigns victorious in every battle.
 
Revelation 12 God is in controlIt stands to reason that Satan will try everything in his limited arsenal to stop us from Truth telling. Here are some examples. Before a marriage retreat, Randy and I begin picking at each other until we figure out that the evil one is playing with our selfish thoughts. Before a leadership seminar, something happens that challenges our own capabilities and we falter and stammer with our confidence in Christ who leads us, until we figure who is really in charge here. Before a seminar on teaching children, our own children have problems we must deal with in ways we are about to teach.
 
It’s crazy, right? No, it’s Satan. He has and always will be in a battle to draw us away from God, our Creator and Father. His battle with Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is always in motion. It must frustrate Satan to no end when God takes over and defeats Him. So he tries even harder with us who are God’s children.
 
“He’s wild and raging with anger; he hasn’t much time and he knows it.” THIS is probably our key verse for today as we read the next part of the revelation of the return of Jesus Christ. Satan is ramping up his efforts to stop Truth.
 
So, if you wonder why attacks on your heart, mind and soul come just before the blessing of God leading you to help others find and follow him…this is one of the reasons. Be aware, alert and ready for battle. Don’t fall for it. But if you do fall, since you are already on your knees, pray and ask for God’s intervention. He loves it when we ask for His help. Let God battle Him as only He can. Where God guides, He provides all you need to do what He has invited you to do for Him, in Him and with Him. It is God’s work. The battle belongs to the Lord. AND He wins. Every. Time. This vision proves it.
 
Revelation 12, The Message
 
The Woman, Her Son, and the Dragon
1-2 A great Sign appeared in Heaven: a Woman dressed all in sunlight, standing on the moon, and crowned with Twelve Stars. She was giving birth to a Child and cried out in the pain of childbirth.
 
3-4 And then another Sign alongside the first: a huge and fiery Dragon! It had seven heads and ten horns, a crown on each of the seven heads. With one flick of its tail it knocked a third of the Stars from the sky and dumped them on earth. The Dragon crouched before the Woman in childbirth, poised to eat up the Child when it came.
 
5-6 The Woman gave birth to a Son who will shepherd all nations with an iron rod. Her Son was seized and placed safely before God on his Throne. The Woman herself escaped to the desert to a place of safety prepared by God, all comforts provided her for 1,260 days.
 
7-12 War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying,
 
Revelation 12 real eyes
Salvation and power are established!
Kingdom of our God, authority of his Messiah!
The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out,
who accused them day and night before God.
They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb
and the bold word of their witness.
They weren’t in love with themselves;
they were willing to die for Christ.
So rejoice, O Heavens, and all who live there,
but doom to earth and sea,
For the Devil’s come down on you with both feet;
he’s had a great fall;
He’s wild and raging with anger;
he hasn’t much time and he knows it.
 
13-17 When the Dragon saw he’d been thrown to earth, he went after the Woman who had given birth to the Man-Child. The Woman was given wings of a great eagle to fly to a place in the desert to be kept in safety and comfort for a time and times and half a time, safe and sound from the Serpent. The Serpent vomited a river of water to swamp and drown her, but earth came to her help, swallowing the water the Dragon spewed from its mouth. Helpless with rage, the Dragon raged at the Woman, then went off to make war with the rest of her children, the children who keep God’s commands and hold firm to the witness of Jesus.
 
 
Revelation 12 satan tries
One last thought…
Battles are also provided so that we become stronger, learning the skills to be ready for battle, fit for the task, and willing to go to war with Jesus leading. We must also live what we preach before telling others what it is like to follow Christ, no matter where He will lead us. Yes, God’s knows what He is doing in and through us. Trust Him. Jesus IS coming back, you know!
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
We don’t like to talk about the many times we have fallen for the evil one’s schemes to bring us down. But it is good to let others know You are in control at all times. You never leave us or forsake us. You are Victor. Thank you for leading and guiding us, saving and protecting us. You are good, so good to us.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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IMPOSSIBLE TO ENJOY SIN!

Posted on September 2, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Revelation – Jesus IS Coming Back
 
“It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” That was a favorite phrase of my mom and dad. The “let’s try this” turns sour when mom or dad enters the area and tells you how wrong and hurtful that will be to do it. Doing wrong brings out the mischievousness in all of us. It seems like fun and such a great idea at the time. But this “fun” is only short-lived. When it is blatant sin against God and hurts others, someone has to step in.
 
God’s vision to John reveals the hearts of future people. The church is measured and found it does not measure up in Truth telling. At this point, Truth has been changed to accept all sin on earth. God sends Two Witnesses who come to tell the Truth…like Jesus did centuries before. They, too are ridiculed, mocked, humiliated, tortured but not hurt for a period of time, (1260 days to be exact). These Two Witnesses (prophets) “pricked the conscience of all the people on earth, made it impossible for them to enjoy their sins.”
 
When their time was up for telling the Truth, they battled Satan himself and died in the same city where Jesus was crucified. BUT, after 3 and half days, The Voice of heaven orders these two to “Come up here!” A massive earthquake brought down man-made structures revealing the power and majesty of God. Fear drove people to give honor to Him.
 
Revelation 11, The Message
The Two Witnesses
1-2 I was given a stick for a measuring rod and told, “Get up and measure God’s Temple and Altar and everyone worshiping in it. Exclude the outside court; don’t measure it. It’s been handed over to non-Jewish outsiders. They’ll desecrate the Holy City for forty-two months.
 
Revelation 11 two3-6 “Meanwhile, I’ll provide my two Witnesses. Dressed in sackcloth, they’ll prophesy for 1,260 days. These are the two Olive Trees, the two Lampstands, standing at attention before God on earth. If anyone tries to hurt them, a blast of fire from their mouths will incinerate them—burn them to a crisp just like that. They’ll have power to seal the sky so that it doesn’t rain for the time of their prophesying, power to turn rivers and springs to blood, power to hit earth with any and every disaster as often as they want.
 
7-10 “When they’ve completed their witness, the Beast from the Abyss will emerge and fight them, conquer and kill them, leaving their corpses exposed on the street of the Great City spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, the same City where their Master was crucified. For three and a half days they’ll be there—exposed, prevented from getting a decent burial, stared at by the curious from all over the world. Those people will cheer at the spectacle, shouting ‘Good riddance!’ and calling for a celebration, for these two prophets pricked the conscience of all the people on earth, made it impossible for them to enjoy their sins.
 
11 “Then, after three and a half days, the Living Spirit of God will enter them—they’re on their feet!—and all those gloating spectators will be scared to death.”
 
12-13 I heard a strong voice out of Heaven calling, “Come up here!” and up they went to Heaven, wrapped in a cloud, their enemies watching it all. At that moment there was a gigantic earthquake—a tenth of the city fell to ruin, seven thousand perished in the earthquake, the rest frightened to the core of their being, frightened into giving honor to the God-of-Heaven.
 
14 The second doom is past, the third doom coming right on its heels.
 
The Last Trumpet Sounds
15-18 The seventh Angel trumpeted. A crescendo of voices in Heaven sang out,
 
The kingdom of the world is now
the Kingdom of our God and his Messiah!
He will rule forever and ever!
 
The Twenty-four Elders seated before God on their thrones fell to their knees, worshiped, and sang,
 
We thank you, O God, Sovereign-Strong,
Who Is and Who Was.
You took your great power
and took over—reigned!
The angry nations now
get a taste of your anger.
The time has come to judge the dead,
to reward your servants, all prophets and saints,
Reward small and great who fear your Name,
and destroy the destroyers of earth.
 
19 The doors of God’s Temple in Heaven flew open, and the Ark of his Covenant was clearly seen surrounded by flashes of lightning, loud shouts, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a fierce hailstorm.
 
 
Revelation 11 God reigns.jpgThe 24 Elders in heaven fell to their knees in worship to God with songs of praise. The power of God is revealed. Truth is revealed once more by His glory.
 
Do we enjoy our sin? Or do we enjoy Truth? What does our joy (what we enjoy most) reveal about our lives?
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
There is more to come! Jesus IS coming back. God, you know the time and events that will reveal Your power and glory. You have given us only a glimpse of things to come when You come back to claim your own. Thank you for rescuing us NOW, redeeming us NOW because of our belief in the Truth of your salvation. Continue to transform us to know Truth, tell Truth and live Truth. You are Truth. You will not change. Thank you!
In Jesus Name, Amen
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GO BACK AND TELL

Posted on August 30, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Revelation – Jesus IS Coming Back!
 
As children who grew up as “lifers” in God’s church, who believe without doubt that Jesus died for us and will be coming back for His own, this revelation is not a threat but a glimpse of God’s love for us. His vision to John relates the consequences of the sin of humans but also relates what will happen to those who don’t give in to the worship of humans and don’t give up on God, the Father who must do what He says He will do. We stand on the promises of God. We learn more, grow more and go and tell others. Together, we may not (and will not) understand all the implications of this revelation with word pictures of the “last days” of this earth but we know without a doubt that Jesus IS indeed coming back and that God is in control of the events and circumstances. We are now seeing the results of sin but will see much worse even thought we wonder, some days, how can it get much worse.
 
Revelation 10 honeyToday I am camping on the last words in this passage from Jesus to John and to us who believe…”You must go back and prophesy again over many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” Yes, this message is sweet and easy to eat but the work to tell it, to get others to believe in Jesus is hard. Remember Jesus didn’t promise “easy”. It will wound our hearts for loved ones to reject their salvation offered by Jesus. Those who fight to reject life will be sarcastic and find fault in our imperfect ways. That’s easy for them because not one of is perfect–only perfectly forgiven! We will be mocked and criticized with every move we make to tell it, live it and show it, but oh, it will be worth it all when we see Christ. These are thoughts I have this morning.
 
Read and be encouraged…remember read knowing this is about God and His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
 
Revelation 10, The Message
1-4 I saw another powerful Angel coming down out of Heaven wrapped in a cloud. There was a rainbow over his head, his face was sun-radiant, his legs pillars of fire. He had a small book open in his hand. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on land, then called out thunderously, a lion roar. When he called out, the Seven Thunders called back. When the Seven Thunders spoke, I started to write it all down, but a voice out of Heaven stopped me, saying, “Seal with silence the Seven Thunders; don’t write a word.”
 
Revelation 10 John5-7 Then the Angel I saw astride sea and land lifted his right hand to Heaven and swore by the One Living Forever and Ever, who created Heaven and everything in it, earth and everything in it, sea and everything in it, that time was up—that when the seventh Angel blew his trumpet, which he was about to do, the Mystery of God, all the plans he had revealed to his servants, the prophets, would be completed.
 
8-11 The voice out of Heaven spoke to me again: “Go, take the book held open in the hand of the Angel astride sea and earth.” I went up to the Angel and said, “Give me the little book.” He said, “Take it, then eat it. It will taste sweet like honey, but turn sour in your stomach.” I took the little book from the Angel’s hand and it was sweet honey in my mouth, but when I swallowed, my stomach curdled. Then I was told, “You must go back and prophesy again over many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. Be our strength and tenaciousness in knowing, telling and living your message today and always…until You come.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

Posted on August 29, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Revelation – Jesus IS Coming Back!
 
As parents, we try to get the attention of our infant offspring who are learning the game of hide and seek. They think we cannot see them if they cannot see us. It’s comical to watch as they turn their heads away from us in an effort to “hide”. We move our heads around to see their eyes. They turn away the opposite direction. It’s all fun and games until we, as the parent, completely walk away when we tire of this game of being rejected with the spinning head of our loved one. Mm.
 
When I read the next passage of John’s vision of the revelation of Jesus, I think of this innocent little game and wonder how God feels when people turn away from Him. He gives so many opportunities to love Him back and follow His best for us.
 
God’s vision to John is another warning of what will happen if we continue to follow anything or anyone other than God. But, there are those who refuse, even when tragedy comes. Read, meditate and then grieve for your loved ones, friends and family, who are turning their heads, hearts, minds and souls away for God, our Father. Pray for them with tenacious passion for opportunities to turn and look back into the eyes of Jesus…before it’s too late.
 
Just what WILL it take? God only knows.
 
Revelation 8 and 9, The Message
When the Lamb ripped off the seventh seal, Heaven fell quiet— complete silence for about half an hour.
 
Blowing the Trumpets
2-4 I saw the Seven Angels who are always in readiness before God handed seven trumpets. Then another Angel, carrying a gold censer, came and stood at the Altar. He was given a great quantity of incense so that he could offer up the prayers of all the holy people of God on the Golden Altar before the Throne. Smoke billowed up from the incense-laced prayers of the holy ones, rose before God from the hand of the Angel.
 
5 Then the Angel filled the censer with fire from the Altar and heaved it to earth. It set off thunders, voices, lightnings, and an earthquake.
 
Revelation 8 9 trumpet sound6-7 The Seven Angels with the trumpets got ready to blow them. At the first trumpet blast, hail and fire mixed with blood were dumped on earth. A third of the earth was scorched, a third of the trees, and every blade of green grass—burned to a crisp.
 
8-9 The second Angel trumpeted. Something like a huge mountain blazing with fire was flung into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the living sea creatures died, and a third of the ships sank.
 
10-11 The third Angel trumpeted. A huge Star, blazing like a torch, fell from Heaven, wiping out a third of the rivers and a third of the springs. The Star’s name was Wormwood. A third of the water turned bitter, and many people died from the poisoned water.
 
12 The fourth Angel trumpeted. A third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were hit, blacked out by a third, both day and night in one-third blackout.
 
13 I looked hard; I heard a lone eagle, flying through Middle-Heaven, crying out ominously, “Doom! Doom! Doom to everyone left on earth! There are three more Angels about to blow their trumpets. Doom is on its way!”
 
Chapter 9
1-2 The fifth Angel trumpeted. I saw a Star plummet from Heaven to earth. The Star was handed a key to the Well of the Abyss. He unlocked the Well of the Abyss—smoke poured out of the Well, billows and billows of smoke, sun and air in blackout from smoke pouring out of the Well.
 
3-6 Then out of the smoke crawled locusts with the venom of scorpions. They were given their orders: “Don’t hurt the grass, don’t hurt anything green, don’t hurt a single tree—only men and women, and then only those who lack the seal of God on their foreheads.” They were ordered to torture but not kill, torture them for five months, the pain like a scorpion sting. When this happens, people are going to prefer death to torture, look for ways to kill themselves. But they won’t find a way—death will have gone into hiding.
 
7-11 The locusts looked like horses ready for war. They had gold crowns, human faces, women’s hair, the teeth of lions, and iron breastplates. The sound of their wings was the sound of horse-drawn chariots charging into battle. Their tails were equipped with stings, like scorpion tails. With those tails they were ordered to torture the human race for five months. They had a king over them, the Angel of the Abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, in Greek, Apollyon—“Destroyer.”
 
12 The first doom is past. Two dooms yet to come.
 
13-14 The sixth Angel trumpeted. I heard a voice speaking to the sixth Angel from the horns of the Golden Altar before God: “Let the Four Angels loose, the Angels confined at the great River Euphrates.”
 
15-19 The Four Angels were untied and let loose, Four Angels all prepared for the exact year, month, day, and even hour when they were to kill a third of the human race. The number of the army of horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard the count and saw both horses and riders in my vision: fiery breastplates on the riders, lion heads on the horses breathing out fire and smoke and brimstone. With these three weapons—fire and smoke and brimstone—they killed a third of the human race. The horses killed with their mouths and tails; their serpentlike tails also had heads that wreaked havoc.
 
20-21 The remaining men and women who weren’t killed by these weapons went on their merry way—didn’t change their way of life, didn’t quit worshiping demons, didn’t quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn’t see or hear or move. There wasn’t a sign of a change of heart. They plunged right on in their murderous, occult, promiscuous, and thieving ways.
 
Revelation 8 9 shadowDID YOU GET THAT?….NO change of heart! Is that where the world is today? What will it take? Turn back to God. Repent and be saved, sealed and delivered. The trumpet is ready to be played!
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
There’s no turning back when we see Your face and hear Your voice. Save our loved ones. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Use us to warn others who are looking the other way, rejecting all that is You.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
 
And now I’m singing praise to God with my “life” song…
 
I listen to the Trumpet of Jesus
While the world hears a different sound
I march to the drumbeat of God Almighty
While the others just wander around
I’m a member of the Holy Ghost traveling band
We’re moving on up to a better land
I hear the voice of the Supernatural singing
Like only those who know Him can
 
(Verse 1:)
One sweet sound makes
A whole world of difference
When the world seems indifferent to you
His Melody of love calls you to be great
When marking time was all you thought you could do
So if you’ve been playing all your days by ear
Never knowing what your song was to be
Then pull up a chair, let down your hair
And take a few lessons from me
 
[Chorus:]
 
(Verse 2:)
A spiritual fanfare has a sound all it’s own
At the birth of a lasting song
It’s been two thousand years since Jesus was born
And still the celebration goes on
If you feel the need to get your life in tune
‘Cause you’re tired of the derdge every day
Then turn yourself around
Put your feet on the ground
And just hear what I have to say
 
God bless you with His Amazing Grace today and always!
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SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED!

Posted on August 27, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Revelation – Jesus IS Coming Back!
 
“Signed, sealed and delivered” is the tune sung by Stevie Wonder that is playing in my head this morning. Yeah, I know, but to know me, is to know there is always some tune in my head. I was raised by a musical family. Five generations now and counting! Why is THAT song rolling around in my thoughts? Here are a few lyrics…
 
“Oh yeah baby, like a fool I went and stayed too long
Now I’m wondering if your love’s still strong
 
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I’m yours
Then that time I went and said goodbye
 
Now I’m back and not ashamed to cry
Oo baby, here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I’m yours
Here I am baby
Oh, you’ve got the future in your hand
(Signed, sealed delivered, I’m yours)”
 
As we read our next passage of the revelation of Jesus, we see that the seal of God is placed on those whose hearts are completely His and who serve tenaciously serve Him. They are signed, sealed and delivered by God Himself.
 
John looks again and sees “a huge crowd, too huge to count”…”standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches before the Throne and the Lamb heartily singing”! ALL fell on their faces and praised God and continued singing, “Oh Yes! The blessings and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, the honor and power and strength, to our God forever and ever!”
 
WHY the chorus of praise? Because they are signed, sealed and delivered by the blood of Jesus Christ! “These are those who have come from the great tribulation and they’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb.”
 
AND that’s not all…God is pleased by their devotion. “The ONE on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring water of of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes.” Hallelujah! Praise God!
 
Read and be blessed…
 
Revelation 7, The Message
The Servants of God
 
Immediately I saw Four Angels standing at the four corners of earth, standing steady with a firm grip on the four winds so no wind would blow on earth or sea, not even rustle a tree.
 
2-3 Then I saw another Angel rising from where the sun rose, carrying the seal of the Living God. He thundered to the Four Angels assigned the task of hurting earth and sea, “Don’t hurt the earth! Don’t hurt the sea! Don’t so much as hurt a tree until I’ve sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads!”
 
4-8 I heard the count of those who were sealed: 144,000! They were sealed out of every Tribe of Israel: 12,000 sealed from Judah, 12,000 from Reuben, 12,000 from Gad, 12,000 from Asher, 12,000 from Naphtali, 12,000 from Manasseh, 12,000 from Simeon, 12,000 from Levi, 12,000 from Issachar, 12,000 from Zebulun, 12,000 from Joseph, 12,000 sealed from Benjamin.
 
Revelation 7 no more tears9-12 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing:
 
Salvation to our God on his Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb!
 
All who were standing around the Throne—Angels, Elders, Animals—fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:
 
Oh, Yes!
The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
The honor and power and strength,
To our God forever and ever and ever!
Oh, Yes!
 
13-14 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: “Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?” Taken aback, I said, “O Sir, I have no idea—but you must know.”
 
14-17 Then he told me, “These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That’s why they’re standing before God’s Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes.”
 
***
Revelation 7 Jesus“No more crying there, we are going to see the King!”…(chorus from my past popping into my head with thanksgiving in my heart!) What a wonderful picture image of Who God is and What He has done, is doing and will do through this Revelation of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord!
 
Find and follow Jesus will all your heart, all your mind and all your soul. He’s coming back! Yes, HE IS!
 
I am signed up in His army, sealed by His love, and delivered by His redemption. Oh, Yes!
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
What a vision to take in of all that you are preparing for those whose hearts, minds and souls are Yours! Wow! No my more crying, no more anxiety or worry about what we will eat or drink. Our robes and places of worship are ready. You are ready. You know the right time. Most of all, you will be with us…because we are signed, sealed and delivered by you. May knowing You drive who we are and what we do today….
In Jesus Name, Amen
Revelation 7 multitudes
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“COME OUT”

Posted on August 26, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Revelation – Jesus is Coming Back!
 
I am reminded of the childhood chant, “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” This was shouted after standing, counting and waiting for all to hide in their various places around the yard. We had rules but rarely did we follow them. We took turns hiding and the one who was “it” had to count to one hundred…by tens or fives. Impatient ones counted quickly by tens to one hundred so they could open their eyes to see and capture the “hide and seekers”.
 
We think we can hide from God. He is patiently waiting for those whose hearts have turned away to come back to him and seek Him. He will be found. AND he will find us when Jesus comes back again.
 
In our next adventure of John’s vision of Jesus’ return we get a glimpse of the battles taking place on earth in all forms. The seals that reveal these battles are opened by our Lord, the Lamb of God, our Savior. Evil has a heyday. Those who stood firm in their witness and were killed on earth are gathered under the Altar praying “how long?” The martyrs were given white robes but told to sit back and wait.
 
Revelation 6 horsesEach ensuing battle begins with the shout from the protectors of the throne. “Come out!” It seems all of evil is invited to come out of their hiding places to be dealt with and conquered once and for all. Come out, come out, wherever you are…Jesus is coming back!
 
“They hid in mountain caves and rocky dens, calling out to mountains and rocks, ‘Refuge! Hide us form the ONE Seated on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb! The great Day of their wrath has come–who can stand it?”
 
Revelation 6, The Message
Unsealing the Scroll
1-2 I watched while the Lamb ripped off the first of the seven seals. I heard one of the Animals roar, “Come out!” I looked—I saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow and was given a victory garland. He rode off victorious, conquering right and left.
 
3-4 When the Lamb ripped off the second seal, I heard the second Animal cry, “Come out!” Another horse appeared, this one red. Its rider was off to take peace from the earth, setting people at each other’s throats, killing one another. He was given a huge sword.
 
5-6 When he ripped off the third seal, I heard the third Animal cry, “Come out!” I looked. A black horse this time. Its rider carried a set of scales in his hand. I heard a message (it seemed to issue from the Four Animals): “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, or three quarts of barley, but all the oil and wine you want.”
 
7-8 When he ripped off the fourth seal, I heard the fourth Animal cry, “Come out!” I looked. A colorless horse, sickly pale. Its rider was Death, and Hell was close on its heels. They were given power to destroy a fourth of the earth by war, famine, disease, and wild beasts.
 
9-11 When he ripped off the fifth seal, I saw the souls of those killed because they had held firm in their witness to the Word of God. They were gathered under the Altar, and cried out in loud prayers, “How long, Strong God, Holy and True? How long before you step in and avenge our murders?” Then each martyr was given a white robe and told to sit back and wait until the full number of martyrs was filled from among their servant companions and friends in the faith.
 
Revelation 6 God12-17 I watched while he ripped off the sixth seal: a bone-jarring earthquake, sun turned black as ink, moon all bloody, stars falling out of the sky like figs shaken from a tree in a high wind, sky snapped shut like a book, islands and mountains sliding this way and that. And then pandemonium, everyone and his dog running for cover—kings, princes, generals, rich and strong, along with every commoner, slave or free. They hid in mountain caves and rocky dens, calling out to mountains and rocks, “Refuge! Hide us from the One Seated on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb! The great Day of their wrath has come—who can stand it?”
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
We don’t know the time of your coming but we know you ARE coming back to claim those who have stood firm, whose hearts are completing yours and love you back heart, mind and soul. I am one of them. I love you with all that is in me. All my trust is in You. You are God and i am not. You created me. You reside in me and I in you. I am humbled and grateful for your abiding, unchanging love. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I pray for those still lost and hiding to come out and turn to You.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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PRAISE AND PRAYERS

Posted on August 25, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Revelation – Jesus is Coming Back!
 
Revelation 5 diffusing
I am a diffuser. Yes, I confess to having, not one, but two diffusers going in my home most of the time. When I fill them with drops of fragrant oils that promote healing calm and cleansing for our home, it stirs my heart to pray. I pray for lost family members who have turned their backs on God. I pray for dear friends who have joined God in His work in other countries, and I thank God for all He has done, is doing and will do in each of our journeys on earth.
 
Our next passage gives us a “revelation” to what happens to those prayers! Hallelujah! The 24 elders fall before the throne of God with gold bowlfuls of our prayers as incense! Yes, our prayers drift to heaven “as a fragrant offering” when said with a holy, authentic heart. God looks at the heart that utters the prayer first.
 
There are many biblical passages that tell us our repentant, sacrificial, holy prayers are “a pleasing aroma to the Lord.” John tells us that He not only HEARS us but keeps our prayers safe in His Kingdom until Jesus comes!
 
Revelation 5 prayers as incenseBackground: In the Old Testament, God commanded the priests of Israel to continually burn aromatic incense — made from a blend of five exotic spices — on the golden altar inside the Holy of Holies. Israel was also required to sacrifice certain types of animals to atone for their sins. But, again, it wasn’t the aroma from the sacrifices that pleased God as much as what it represented: repentance, clean souls, changed lives (Leviticus 1:9, 13; 2:2; 23:18). If performed properly, these sacrifices were “a pleasing aroma to the Lord” (Numbers 15:3).
 
I have favorite aromas that I diffuse in my home. Some remind me of precious memories. Some bring me pure joy, while other aromas promote gratitude for life. God loves the aromas of our repentant hearts and our prayers for others. He also loves the aroma of our witness of His salvation. In 2 Corinthians 2:14–16, the apostle Paul charges Christians to spread “the fragrance of the knowledge of [Jesus Christ] everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”
 
Revelation 5 prayersI would imagine that God’s favorite, most fragrant aroma is our love, knowing and realizing His love for us. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). The greatest act of love ever performed was when Jesus voluntarily offered up his life for the sins of his people, suffering untold emotional, spiritual, and physical pain on a Roman cross.
 
“It was the will of the Lord to crush him” (Isaiah 53:10), but Christ gave up his life willingly (John 10:18); and in being crushed, Christ’s loving sacrifice gave off the sweetest, most sacred of fragrances (Ephesians 5:2), for Christ’s death is able to “make many to be accounted righteous” (Isaiah 53:11).
 
NO WONDER the praises are unending in heaven for the ONLY ONE who is able to open the scroll and read it. It is Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Conqueror, King, and Savior. Only Jesus is worthy! Read and be blessed….
 
Revelation 5, The Message
The Lion Is a Lamb
 
1-2 I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One Seated on the Throne. It was written on both sides, fastened with seven seals. I also saw a powerful Angel, calling out in a voice like thunder, “Is there anyone who can open the scroll, who can break its seals?”
 
3 There was no one—no one in Heaven, no one on earth, no one from the underworld—able to break open the scroll and read it.
 
4-5 I wept and wept and wept that no one was found able to open the scroll, able to read it. One of the Elders said, “Don’t weep. Look—the Lion from Tribe Judah, the Root of David’s Tree, has conquered. He can open the scroll, can rip through the seven seals.”
 
6-10 So I looked, and there, surrounded by Throne, Animals, and Elders, was a Lamb, slaughtered but standing tall. Seven horns he had, and seven eyes, the Seven Spirits of God sent into all the earth. He came to the One Seated on the Throne and took the scroll from his right hand. The moment he took the scroll, the Four Animals and Twenty-four Elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God’s holy people. And they sang a new song:
 
Revelation 5 worthy is the lamb
Worthy! Take the scroll, open its seals.
Slain! Paying in blood, you bought men and women,
Bought them back from all over the earth,
Bought them back for God.
Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God,
Priest-kings to rule over the earth.
 
11-14 I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song:
 
The slain Lamb is worthy!
Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!
Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!
 
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:
 
To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.
 
The Four Animals called out, “Oh, Yes!” The Elders fell to their knees and worshiped.
 
FROM PRAYERS TO PRAISE…!
 
“To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.”
 
Revelation 5 let
Our prayers held and laid before the throne of God…wow.
 
How fragrant are our prayers?
Are they holy and honest?
What is the aroma of our praise to God?
I’m humbled at the thought.
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have stirred our hearts once more with your revelation of Jesus and His return. For right now, may our prayers be full of repentance, gratitude with petitions for the salvation of others. Help us to center our minds on you. May we look full into your beautiful face. May our aromas be pleasing to you. Even today.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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