Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

There are some days that are harder than others. On those hard days when we think we are doing what God wants us to be and do but are slandered unmercifully by loved ones and/or by those within our church family for not doing enough; it breaks our hearts.   Some days we are even blamed for why they are having troubles in their lives.  It’s on these days, that we pray all the harder as we ask God to change our hearts and transform our thinking.  We seek to know God and His love more as others seek to judge us more critically. 

Troublesome relationships can lead us to God or to retribution of seeking others to listen to our “side” of things.  Can we figure out now the best path to take but is often not taken?  Are we beginning to understand why Jesus came to save us from ourselves?  As fallen humans, we can be so immature when offended or misunderstood.  If we don’t love like God loves us, all relationships will suffer because of our own selfishness.

Selfish love expects and sometimes demands that love be returned in even greater ways and quantities than it was given.  When it is not, we stop loving.  Selfish love is only for those who admire us and want to be like us.  We really love those who do what we say with high expectations of their loving performance to us without question.  Immature love serves others expecting others pay it back or pay it forward while feeling superior to those we serve. 

Worse yet, we arrogantly love God with a love that has conditions; expecting life to be without trouble or pain.  When troubles arise to be dealt with, our love for God begins to fade, doubts creep in, and we wonder where God is?  We then bargain with God with I do this and love you more if you, God, will fix our problem—or else!  Or else, what?  It doesn’t often occur to selfish love that God, our Father who loves us deeply might be using our current troubles to build our faith in Him as He pours His wisdom over us as the best way to teach us. In this teaching, we in turn can give glory to God in ways that point others to his loving care and compassion!

Do we really think God doesn’t know what is going on around us?  Do we realize that God knows exactly what’s on the inside and is more concerned about the spiritual health of our hearts, minds, and souls?  Is it any wonder, that God’s wrath against evil that plagues all of us must be finally wrapped up for eternity?

As we read the next passage, take notice of what the “saved ones” do.  They worship.  They worship God for who He is and what He does.  Their song lyrics give the Lamb of God, Jesus, all the glory, honor, and praise as the King of kings, LORD of lords.  Only the Lamb can be the judge—the One without sin—who is filled with the love of God—the love God wants us to know, have and act upon by loving Him and each other like He loves us—without conditions.  We are saved from sin and self to love like He loves us.  We need to remove ourselves from the judgement temptation.

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:

Mighty 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.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:7-12, NIV

The most common question asked by those who don’t yet know God—

How could a loving God send sinners to hell?

He doesn’t. They volunteer. Hell is reserved, not for those souls who seek God yet struggle, but for those who defy God and rebel.  Max Lucado writes; “Hell is not a correctional facility or reform school. Its members hear no admonishing parents, candid sermons, or Spirit of God, no voice of God, no voice of God’s people. Spend a lifetime telling God to be quiet, and he’ll do just that. God honors our request for silence.”

Hell is the chosen home of those who defy God and want nothing to do with His love, care, correction, or comfort.  God honors their decision. It is not God’s will or desire that any should perish, but the fact that some do highlights God’s justice. God must punish sin.

In later passages, God reveals His truth once more; “Nothing impure will ever enter [heaven], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). God, inherently holy, must exclude evil from his new heaven.  God, eternally gracious, never forces his will. He urges all to stand firm but never forces them to stay with Him. God’s will is given when we yield our will to Him and trust Him. “May your will be done…”—Jesus taught us to pray.

Once the rebellious defiers reside in hell; they don’t want to leave. Hearts never soften nor do their minds change at this point.  “They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him” (Revelation 16:9). Contrary to the idea that hell prompts remorse, it doesn’t. It intensifies blasphemy and hate against God.

So, to wrap up, we are given two choices.  God or Evil?  Perfectly Holy or Intensely Hateful?  The choices are in direct opposition of each other.  Choose this day between real love or hate; help through troubles or resentment for troubles; protection against evil or the promotion of evil; spiritual provision to nurture a healthy spiritual heart, mind, and soul or no provision—only bondage that destroys all relationships. 

Lord,

Thank you for convicting me of selfish love expecting others to be who I wish them to be instead of simply loving like you love us.  Thank you from comforting me from the slander that breaks my heart. Thank you for correcting me with Christ like behaviors that transform me to be more like you.  Thank you for compelling me to stand firm in my faith of what you say is the Truth.  I trust you, dear Jesus.  I trust you to teach me, show me the path to take that leads to you, and to be with me always as I pursue You.  I love you, Lord.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen  

The beans and corn are ready to be harvested here in Indiana.  As we drove through the countryside on our way to our grandson’s tennis match, Randy and I noticed how dry and brittle the bean and corn stalks are becoming—signs of harvest!  We noticed some of the farmers opening the barn doors to begin pulling out all the equipment necessary to sweep over the fields—ripe for harvest.

Because Randy pastored a church with many farmers in the congregation, we learned their habits and moods during each season.  Harvest was like Christmas for farmers!  This was the time to finally reap what they eagerly sowed last spring with anticipation and promise.  Yes, it is fascinating to observe the work of farmers who tirelessly care for their crops through spring and summer; making sure the weeds do not overtake what was planted so that the harvest is greater still.  Those who are in it for life do not grow weary of the work.  They will grow tired in the work; but most do not give up. This is their life.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  Galatians 6:7-10

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 rapids, 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.”

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!”

“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.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is revealed in full, majestic view before John, His beloved disciple.  When we pause to take it all in, doesn’t this image take our breath away, too?  Imagine Jesus with His beloved who never gave up in doing good, standing with Him!  The 144,000 who never compromised their faith in God for anyone or anything else became an offering unto God.  Their worship was reserved only for 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,” John writes.

I am reminded of what God told his prophet, Micah and later to Paul, a committed, compelling, uncompromising convert of Christ. Paul, daily gave himself as an offering to God as his new way of life with God. 

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”—Micah 6:8, NIV

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2, NIV

Walking humble with God is key to knowing God’s will for us.

Though beaten by officials in the towns he preached; Paul worked tirelessly to tell others of Jesus’ saving grace. Being imprisoned for spreading the salvation message didn’t stop him.  He used his jail time to tell the message of Jesus to all who would listen among those who guarded him.  He wrote letters of encouragement and sent them to all the churches in the “field” for the purpose to keep out the “weeds” of evil behaviors among the people.  He encouraged all to “make the most of every opportunity” to freely spread the message of Jesus who freely gave Himself to us so we could be saved and set free!  (See Colossians 4)

The Message:  Jesus, Son of God, suffered and died so our sins could be forgiven, removed, and forgotten by almighty God. With resurrection power, God brought His Son back to life in full view of his followers on earth.  Do not forget, this same power is available to us!  This is Hope that we, too, will be resurrected has been given to us by Jesus.

Redemption is possible by humbly repenting our sins to Jesus His Son. As soon as we repent to Jesus believing He has set us free from our sins; our new life begins.  We sing a new song!  We are daily being changed and transformed from the inside out!  We revel in our new intimate, growing, loving relationship with God knowing that it will last forever—all because of His great love planted in the fertile soil of our yielded hearts, minds, and souls.  We love Him with all that is within us because He first loved us.  His love is unchanging and unfailing.  His love will outlast all our changing moods and the troubles of this world.  His love never quits and never gives up on us.  Wow.

We learn that we will become more and more like Jesus if we do not grow weary and give up, offer ourselves daily to Him, and keep a close watch on the weeds. When weeds of evil appear, we will call on the Name of Jesus who, by the power of His Holy Spirit living in us, will eradicate what does not belong in our field of grace that will soon be harvested.  This is the blessed assurance that give us confidence to keep walking humbly with our God!

Lord,

Wow, how you love it when we really believe what you say as the whole Truth.  Thank you for saving us as we call on your Name to forgive us and help us live this new life.  Continue to weed out what is not of you.  Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  Fill us with all you know we need to produce your goodness in our lives.  I’m yours. I’m listening.  I’m waiting for your return.

In Jesus Name, Amen

“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. –Jesus, Matthew 24:4-14

The war between God who is good and Satan the fallen angel who is evil still rages on.  Who do we choose daily and stand beside when pressed for an answer?  Our decision is a matter of life or death.  Our behaviors will reflect our belief and commitment to our decision in every day life.  Our decision affects others who are confused and looking for answers for life, too. Who do we obviously worship?  Who is paramount in all we think, say, and do—even if our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, husbands or wives, mothers and fathers do not agree?  Do we worship the beast of gossip, assumptions and preconceived judgements?  Are we fooled into living a life that craves the applause of others so much that we will say and do nothing to get it?  Will we allow the beast of self-worship fill us with arrogance, envy, pride, and jealousy for what others have while believing the lies told to us?  Will we be led by the beast who is the author of hate and confusion who teaches us to spew false teachings about God that destroy relationships with our loved ones?  It can and will happen if we do not stand firm in complete devotion and worship of Jesus Christ, our Savior AND our Lord.

Jesus knows what we are going through now and what we will face later and He promises to be with us “unto the end of the age.”  Do we really believe Him—or not?  Our faith is tested in trials each day to make us strong, says James.  James and the other disciples went through trials that seem unthinkable to us today as most of us hide out in the “comfort zones” of our homes, churches, and community.  In the days now and in the days to come we must take an honest, sincere stand for who we really believe because our behaviors are already being critically judged by our loved ones, friends, and our enemies.  (Nation against nation, brother against brother, etc.)

Who will that be? What will we say?  How will our lives be lived?

Revelation 13, The Message

The Beast from the Sea

13 ^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.

^9-10 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.

The 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.

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

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus warned his disciples who left everything behind to follow Him, “Beware of false teachers.”  Before the final battle, Believers of Jesus will be challenged. God promised, though, that no spiritual harm will come to believers, although they might have to endure persecution and pain.  We must discern false prophets who claim to perform miracles and exercise authority from God.  God’s Holy Spirit was sent to help us by leading us to all Truth.  Listen to Him!

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13

If we are amazed, distracted, and influenced by the “beast;” signs of beastly behaviors will begin to appear in our lives such as slander, gossip, envy, pride, arrogance, sarcasm, self-edification, and pride while comparing ourselves to each other—all traits of the beast who worships the Dragon, namely Satan, the fallen angel.  In the end, it won’t go well for us.  We must evaluate and ask ourselves; Is it really going well for us now to carry these traits?

These questions of resolve must be asked daily;

Have I been claimed and tattooed by the beast as being on his team OR have I offered by whole “created in God’s image” being back to God as an offering of holy worship to Him? 

Is my name written in the palm of God’s hand as His child?  Is Jesus my Savior and Lord—or not? 

Without looking inside my heart, will others know to Whom I belong?

Lord,

Thank you for revealing the “end of the age” to John so that we may evaluate our lives lived for you now in preparation to see you face to face. We are not perfect but we are, without a doubt, perfectly forgiven when we repent of all our sins to you.  Thank you for teaching us your ways. Thank you for helping us know you more each day as the Holy Spirit reveals Truth to us.  Thank you for clearly showing us the traits to acquire and those to avoid. Help us to accept your discipline as a Loving Father to a precious child would be—all for our good and Your glory.

In Jesus Name, Amen

We imagine heaven to be the place of peace and tranquility, beauty and perfection.  It is now, but there was a time of rebellion that rose up, led by an arrogant, powerfully pride filled angel who wanted to be God.  He wanted to be in charge.  He wanted all that God had created to be his own so he could control all.  He wanted all of God’s heavenly realm so badly that he decided to gather other angels, deceive them into thinking they needed to overcome God with him so they could share in the bounty!  He wanted the worship meant for God to be given to him.  He still wants that. 

Imagine forming an army in heaven to rise up and go to war against God!  It seems ludicrous to us, right?  Would we be a part of that?  Would we join the rebellion and fight with the Destroyer?  Or would we remain firmly planted in our faith in God who ultimately wins over evil?  Do we stand firm, in awe of God, with assurance of deliverance, knowing we have protection from God as we call on His Name? Will we choose unending, relentless love or the hate and anger of evil? Mindblowning.

No, we cannot imagine falling for the hate filled deceit that spews from this angel who was so full of himself that he thought he could replace God—but sometimes we do.  We all fall for him when we take our eyes off Jesus and rely only on self and “follow our hearts” which is yet another lie of Satan.

John’s vision reveals the whole story of the “Fallen Angel” who went to war against God and the Son of God, Jesus—and was thrown out of the Kingdom and banished to earth.    

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,

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.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We are given real, specific reasons why Satan hates believers of God and His Son, Jesus.  Satan hates God so much he will do anything and everything to distract people from God.  He will deceive us with lies that tell us we “deserve” more than God.  He does all things opposite of God’s character. 

Satan and his demons hover over our beings with temptations as consistent as those incessant commercials that interrupt our programming or browsing!  We are programed to worship our Creator God—and only God.  Worship of anyone or anything else is giving in to the Destroyer who wants to end our relationship with God and with His people.  Take note:  Our real enemy is not each other, it is this fallen angel who is furious with God.

In this revelation of Truth, we begin to understand why Satan becomes so enraged when believers call on the Name of Jesus because they know Jesus hears and will answer.  His fury all began with Jesus.  Satan hates Jesus who he could not tempt to follow him on earth—the place where he was exiled. 

Satan had a plan for Jesus that failed miserably.  Satan thought he had gotten rid of God’s Son, who pleased His Father, God.  He stirred the minds of those who were full of pride like himself which led to having Jesus killed on a cross.  How Satan and his demons must have reveled when their rival was brought low, mocked, tortured, and then crucified to die forever.  But Jesus didn’t stay dead.

Was Satan so full of pride that he forgot his power is limited?  Did he really think his power could match the power of God who can raise His Son from death to life in victory forever?  If Satan didn’t realize it then, he knows it now and is determined to bring us down with daily attacks on all believers—especially those firmly committed to Jesus who trust and obey the will of God with resolute hearts for God. 

“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.” 

Does this not send chills down our spines?

God’s Word, coupled with His Holy Spirit who lives in us to lead us to Truth, gives us all we need to combat the real enemy of our hearts, minds, and souls with confidence and assurance.  Here are a few:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:1-4 Satan power is limited.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Jesus, Matthew 28:20 As we join God in His salvation work, telling others about Jesus, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is with us.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  Ephesians 6:10-18

Satan knows he doesn’t have much time left. 

Believers in Jesus know we have forever! 

Who do you choose?

 Lord,

Thank you for a daily cleansing of our hearts, a renewing of our minds that transform our behaviors, a refreshing of our souls with your tender mercies, and a continual restoration of the joy of your salvation at work within us as we battle your enemy and ours.  Thank you for snatching us out of the fire when we are tempted and deceived by him. Thank you for Your Word that clarifies the difference between you and all that is not you.  We need you every hour and every hour you deliver truth. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, holy, holy is He

Sing a new song to Him who sits on heaven’s mercy seat

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, holy, holy is He

Sing a new song to Him who sits on heaven’s mercy seat

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come

With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings

You are my everything and I will adore You, I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows of living color

Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder

Blessing and honor, strength and glory

And power be to You the only wise King,

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come,

With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings

You are my everything and I will adore You

Holy, holy, You are holy

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder

At the mention of Your name

Jesus, Your name is power, breath and living water

Such a marvelous mystery…

(Revelation Song, Written by: Jennie Lee Riddle, Lyrics © Integrity Music)

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.

^3-6 “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.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Life will get worse before it gets better.  The place is Jerusalem, and the time is the first half of the tribulation. Israel is worshiping again at its restored temple, built under the protection of the Antichrist, whose true character has not yet been revealed. John’s measurement of the temple is a symbolic action. To measure something means to claim it for oneself. The Lord was saying through John, “I own this city and this temple, and I claim both for myself.” 

John envisions the battle between God and Evil heating up; but we must remember that this war already has a Victor.  Jesus, is our Victor over death.  John was an eye-witness to Jesus defeating death and rising to life three days later!  John has preached this Good News all his life, forming churches to believe and follow Jesus while waiting for His return.  In this passage we learn of two witnesses assigned by God to stand for God in power from God. These witnesses will demonstrate God’s Presence and Power to the outside world in need of a change of heart.  It’s almost as if they are asking sinners, is evil your final answer?

The beast of evil is released to wreak havoc in the world—with limited, allowed power from God.  We must remember that God is and always will be in control of the situation.  As we read, we must also remember that this war already has a Victor—Jesus Christ who has been named by God as King of kings and Lord of lords—whether we believe in Jesus or not.  “Every knee will bow” …  (Philippians 2)

As I read the revelation, a vision of things to come; it humbles me.  We are currently living in our world with all we need and we still whine and complain that we do not physically have enough. We are easily offended by what is said to us and appalled at what is said on social media against what we believe.  We respond from our hearts (who deceive us) without engaging our minds with the mind of Christ.  We judge the world “as going to hell in a handbasket” (I’m still not completely sure what that means) as our faith falters.  We soon give up on telling humanity the Good News, thinking what’s the use. 

As nominal, compartmentalized believers, we call on God to fix our problems, repair what is broken, and “bless us.” But we leave this form of inner worship of self-pity to complain and blame everyone and everything around the perimeter of our lives for what is going wrong…without looking within. 

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 We consistently battle the one who is opposed to God.  “Choose this day whom you will serve,” says Joshua to God’s people! (Joshua 24:14)

We huddle and draw close to those who are like us and believe what we think while staying inside the walls we build for our own protection and wonder why they soon crumble.  We live our lives with much fear and anxiety while sitting and stewing in our circumstances—sometimes created by our own lack of faith, lack of learning, lack of commitment with the lack of discipline to be and do what is right and good in the mind and heart of Jesus—who truly suffered and died on a cross to save us!  Then he rose in resurrected power to give us hope for eternal life.

So, who are we, really?  We lack Jesus if we have not given our hearts, minds, souls and bodies completely to Jesus daily as an “offering to God”!  Jesus is everything we long for and satisfies everything we desire to be whole when we give all to Him.  It is by the power of His Holy Spirit that begins to transform us from the inside out!

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1-2, MSG

The great announcement is that the kingdom of this world belongs to Jesus Christ. Of course, Christ does not claim His royal rights until He returns, but the victory has already been won. Today, He rules over a spiritual kingdom, but in that future day, He will reign over the nations of the world. 

The focus of attention is on the ark of God’s covenant, the symbol of God’s presence with His people. This vision of the ark would have greatly encouraged God’s suffering people, to whom John sent this book. The ark would have reminded them of His presence and the faithfulness of His promises. The Ark—the seat of mercy. God is merciful to His people. Even in wrath, God remembers His mercy.  God knows what He’s doing—Trust Him.

Let us prayer the prayer of Habakkuk—a prophet of God

“Lord, I have heard of your fame;
    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
    in our time make them known;
    in wrath remember mercy.”

“Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3 passages

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Jesus, Matthew 28:19-20

The reality of judgment and hell is foreign to our current culture; but it is mentioned often in the Bible as our future realty.  Most humans want to avoid hearing it, it’s too much for our minds to wrap our heads around.  Believers tend to soft pedal the words of impending judgement for our sins, whether obvious or hidden in our hearts, with softer, more accepting words of only God’s love, joy, and peace.  When we think of God, pray in Jesus Name, we want to keep our talk “light,” expecting only the good things of God.  Yes, God embodies all these traits but there’s so much more.  God so loved all people of all the earth that He sent His Son to explain and demonstrate His love in ways that lead to His best for our good and His glory.  Suffering to save us was/is also part of the Plan.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was not only given the task to redeem us by suffering torture and then dying on a cross; he also provided hope of eternal life for all who decide to believe Him.  Jesus was also assigned by God to be the final judge for unconfessed, relentless sins of ignoring God, rejecting Jesus, while going our own way, doing our own thing and hurting others around us with no remorse.  Those who live only to satisfy their known needs, while trying to flee from His Presence—which is impossible—will not fair well!   People curse using the word “hell” when our self-made circumstances with consequences get harder and harder to handle, but we don’t realize that hell is a real place.  One thing is for certain; the words that completely summarizes the horror of hell is “God isn’t there.” God cannot occupy the same space as sin. 

Max Lucado helps us think through this dilemma—

“Think for a moment about this question: What if God weren’t here on earth? You think people can be cruel now, imagine us without the presence of God. You think we are brutal to each other now, imagine the world without the Holy Spirit. You think there is loneliness and despair and guilt now, imagine life without the touch of Jesus. No forgiveness. No hope. No acts of kindness. No words of love. No more food given in his name. No more songs sung to his praise. No more deeds done in his honor. If God took away his angels, his grace, his promise of eternity, and his servants, what would the world be like?”

“In a word, hell. No one to comfort you and no music to soothe you. A world where poets don’t write of love and minstrels don’t sing of hope, for love and hope were passengers on the last ship. The final vessel has departed, and the anthem of hell has only two words: if only.

According to Jesus, hell knows only one sound, the “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22:13). From hell comes a woeful, unending moan as its inhabitants realize the opportunity they have missed. What they would give for one more chance. But that chance is gone (see Hebrews 9:27).

Can you see now why the angels rejoice when one sinner repents? Jesus knows what awaits the saved. He also knows what awaits the condemned. Can you see why we should rejoice as well? How can we? How can our hearts be changed so we rejoice like Jesus rejoices?

Ask God to help you have his eternal view of the world. His view of humanity is starkly simple. From his perspective every person is either:

• entering through the small gate or the wide gate (see Matthew 7:13–14)
• traveling the narrow road or the wide road (see Matthew 7:13–14)
• building on rock or sand (see Matthew 7:24–27)
• wise or foolish (see Matthew 25:2)
• prepared or unprepared (see Matthew 24:45–51)
• fruitful or fruitless (see Matthew 25:14–27)
• heaven-called or hell-bound (see Mark 16:15–16)

Are you prepared to die? If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, you will be separated from God for all eternity. Don’t allow that to happen. Repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ for salvation today. If you are a believer, make yourself available to share the Good News of Jesus.”—Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

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.”

^5-7 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.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Two choices are presented to us daily:    

Heaven or Hell. 

With Jesus and the power of God’s Holy Spirit in us we can grow, move forward, forgiven completely and made new.  Or we follow the Deceiver and be tempted by distractions and lies while consistently tormented by the replays of our past sins and failures. 

Jesus sets us free.  The Deceiver binds in chains of guilt forever.

Eternal life or death forever. 

No more tears or forever wailing and groaning in pain.

Choose wisely.  Our lives, now and later, depend on our decision.

If you choose Jesus— “You must go back and prophesy again over many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”  It is NOT God’s desire that anyone perish in the abyss of hell. 

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

In times like these we need a Savior;
In times like these we 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 believe.  I have decided to follow you.  No turning back.  I choose Life!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

I have been called to third world countries several times over the years to visit for a week or two to be a helper.  There was a time when we stayed for few months to volunteer teach at a school and help in various ways as God led us.  We observed what most people who lived around us lacked what we in our country sometimes take for granted—food, pure water, and shelter.  Programs that have been developed in these countries, aided by other countries, cannot seem to be sustained for those in need or be of real help because of corrupt governments whose officials steal what is given to the poor and take what is given home for their own families and friends who they want to impress. Many people in the world are disadvantaged without provisions or the means to obtain them for various reasons. 

However, I have also observed and heard the beautiful testimonies of the physically poor who are spiritually rich in Jesus in ways that humbled my whole being.  They lack nothing in Jesus.  It is not only their words and behaviors of helping others; It shows by the smile on their weary worn faces.

Let’s go back on the mountain.  Jesus looked over those gathered and began his famous “Sermon on the Mount” to mixed audience of people who were seeking to know Him, curious about Him, with minds more than ready to judge Him based on the hearsay that surrounded Him.  Jesus begins with:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matthew 5)

Wait, what now?

What did that mean to this crowd?  Some were poor, sick, blind, and crippled.  Some were haughty and proud of their Jewish heritage.  Others just wanted to come and see with other onlookers as they wondered what might happen next.  But all were compelled to see and hear this man who spoke and behaved like no other man in their world. Most accepted the Message even when they didn’t understand all the details. 

However, there were those with a specific motivation to judge critically, looking for ways and means to stop the Message.  And what are the first words they hear from Jesus, who is Truth?  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  How did they receive these words?  From habit, did they immediately look left and right at the physical poor around them, looking down their noses at them, while judging how much they lacked in their lives?  (Do we do that?)

But the phrase “poor in spirit” speaks to an even deeper reality—beyond physical poverty—but to true spiritual poverty. To be poor in spirit means to daily acknowledge our deepest human need for God with a desire to humbly grow in that longing and dependence on God.  Too much?

Let’s break it down.  The Message of the first Beatitude poor in spirit conveys the unthinkable blessing of salvation with all the riches of its benefits upon the least deserving, namely the poor in spirit. And that is all of us!  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Paul will passionately write to the churches—to Jews and Gentiles alike! (A Gentile is anyone not a Jew, Romans 3:23) 

Those who are aware that they have nothing to offer God in exchange for his favor are indeed blessed with the greatness of his favor.  (Mic dropped.)  Read that again.

According to the vision given to John, by the LORD; disobedience to God, filled with hate for God and His people, who diligently succumb to evil behaviors that wreak havoc on the lives of others will not only miss out on God’s favor, they will suffer for they lack the seal of God. They lack God.  They lack redemption of unconfessed sins from Jesus.  Jesus, who paid the debt of the sins of the world by suffering through torture, humiliation, and then nailed to a cross for our sins!  Jesus is the One and Only who through His suffering can set us free and seal us from death forever! –God’s Plan.

Revelation 8, The Message

^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 serpent like 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.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Have a change of heart!  It’s all in the last two verses of this passage:

Quit worshiping demons who distract our minds, work on our hearts with deceit, with attempts to destroy our relationship with God who loves, heals, protects, and provides all we need in Him so that we lack nothing!

Quit worshiping our bank accounts with worry over what we lack.

Stay away from those who worship anything or anyone but God.  Worship only God.

Be signed, sealed, and delivered by Jesus to God. Jesus is the One and Only Way to reconcile us to God in relationship with God! 

Repent of sins to Jesus. Accept the immediate help of His Holy Spirit, and enjoy the benefits (favor) of a loving, intimate relationship with God who loves us most! 

Blessed are those who know Who they need most and seek Him first—for they lack nothing.

Lord,

Your truly are the Way to Truth that gives Life eternal.  Hope reigns in my heart today because I know whom I have believed.  You are my everything.  Not that I am perfect but I am perfectly forgiven, approved, and cherished by you.  Thank you, Lord.  You are my Shepherd; I lack nothing.

In Jesus Name, for Your Glory, Amen! Yes, I believe.

Just in case you missed it—Be sealed for life with Jesus!

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23

Come to Jesus!

With high expectation and anticipation for the one about to appear in concert; we with thousands of other people suddenly gasp as we hold our breaths.  It happens as we catch a glimpse of the beginning of the appearance of the one we have been waiting.  Interestingly, a concerted hush of silence falls over the entire arena a nano second before the one appears!  We hear, “Let the concert begin!”  Then cheers and applause erupt in waves over the stadium.

A similar hush fell over heaven when the Lamb of God stepped up to open the seventh seal.  Imagine all of heaven stopping the music of glorious praise for thirty minutes in anticipation for what will happen next…

Revelation 8, 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.

^6-7 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!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The sound of a trumpet was used over the ages as a signal call to get ready for battle.  Although God disciplined his own people, they refused to repent.  John’s vision now includes trumpet calls to signal the battle charge for the final war waged between God’s and Satan’s forces.  Doom is coming to those who refused believing in the Son of God, therefore rejecting God, while refusing to accept eternal life.

We recall another moment of silence in heaven as the Jesus, Son of God, looked up once last time then bowed his head in excruciating pain as the Son of Man.  The crown of thorns had resulted in oozing lines blood that poured over his unrecognizable face from the beatings.  Jesus’ last words, “It is finished” prompted the hush of angels.  “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (John 19:30; Luke 23:46) Jesus’ last words caused all of heaven to grow silent at the words of the Savior.

The skies grew dark as the Light of the world went out—but only for a little while.  As Jesus gasped His final breath, the earth suddenly stirred and shook.  Then the earth grew quiet, the mocking stopped for there was no one to mock.  A believer with influence and means was given the body to be placed in a new tomb.  A huge stone was rolled in front to keep Jesus body in and the disciples out because “they might steal the body to prove what Jesus said about rising from the dead.”

Soldiers guarded the tomb until God’s created earth shook once more and rolled the stone away!  God’s messenger descended heaven with the Good News of Hope—Jesus defeated death and in God’s resurrection power, a power beyond all other powers, brough Jesus from death to life—forever defeating the Enemy!  The scars of torture remained but the body of Jesus whole again.

Meanwhile, everyone else went about their normal business in the city of trading, buying and selling, while Jesus’ beloved mourned Him. No, we wouldn’t have written the drama of redemption in this way. But, we weren’t asked to, because the redemption plan can only be brought about by God. The players and props were heaven picked and God ordained. We were not asked to design the hour, the place, or the outcome.  And I’m glad!

But we have been asked to respond to God’s Plan to save us from all our sins!

Have you heard the Good News that Jesus died to save us and set us free from ALL sins—to be removed and remembered no more?  We only need to acknowledge and confess our sins to Him.

With a resolved mind and sincere heart, express your love and ask Jesus;  “Jesus I need you, I’m tired of doing life by myself. Jesus, forgive me.  Cleanse my heart, renew mind, and come into my life to stay.  Transform me with the power of your Holy Spirit to be more like you as I relate to you and to others.”

Give your life to God as an offering of worship to Him.  (Romans 12)

Then go tell someone about Jesus and what He has done for you and in you today because He is for everyone who comes to Him!  “Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Jesus, Matthew 28:18-20

Lord,

Thank you for the warnings, revealing the outcomes of rejecting you.  I trust you with my life.  I lean on your understanding and wisdom.  Thank you for saving us and setting us free to live, grow, expand and extend your love to others because of your love living in us.  When I fall for temptation, you quickly come to rescue me and give me the power to resist the attacks of evil.  You lift me up in my thinking.  You teach me your Word that is the stored treasure for my soul.  Thank you for who you are and what you do for us every day.  May we realize the full extent of your love for us and intentionally love others like you love us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Listen for the trumpet of Jesus…

Wait, who is a servant of God?  Is it a pastor of a church who is sold out to Jesus?  Is it the one who plays an instrument?  Is the sincere one who leads in worship to God each week?  Is it the leader of a small group or the ones who teach and nurture kids?  Are these the ones whose hearts are given completely and resolutely to Jesus with a even greater desire to learn from Him with others?  YES! YES! YES!

But there’s so much more than who we see upfront.  Servants of God are also people who quietly take a meal, provide clothes, and give encouragement to someone in need.  Servants willingly stop their lives to listen, without judgment, to a hurting soul who has lost their way, felt betrayed, or broken by others.  A servant of God offers a kind word when least expected in a tenuous situation.  A servant of God seeks wisdom and discernment from God.  A servant loves God and seeks Him first before beginning each new day.  Servants pause to give thanks to God then listen closely for what He wants them to be and do next.  Servants desire God will as they seek His purpose for their lives.

Servants stand in loving awe, watching for the nod of the King of kings and Lord of lords ready to jump at the invitation by God to serve Him.  They know that serving is helping others know Him, too.  Servants leap at the opportunity to go in Jesus Name, led by the Holy Spirit who lives within them, to do whatever God says to do. 

Servants know to be still in God Presence, letting go of all that might hinder them in their relationship with God, before doing anything of significance for God.  Servants of God don’t “age out” or retire out of service.  As long as they live, servants of God carry on in whatever capacity He calls them to be and do in Jesus Name.  Servants know they are loved greatly and faithfully. In fact, the more servants realize the depth and breadth of God’s love; the more these servants love and serve others.  Their desire to serve grows exponentially and becomes their way of life! They believe without a doubt that when they serve someone else, they are serving Jesus who is our perfect example of serving.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”—Jesus, Mark 10:45

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”       –Jesus, showing His love, bent down to wash the feet of His disciples—even Judas who He knew was going to betray Him!  See John 13:1-17.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” –Jesus, Matthew 25:40

Servants of God also bear the brunt of the attacks of the Enemy of God—just like Jesus did! This enemy is sly and cunning in his attacks with attempts to distract us from God, deceive us with lies about God, with the sole intent to destroy our relationship with God.  Those who say no to evil and remain faithful to Jesus know what the enemy hates—servants who worship of Jesus while falling to their knees, crying out in the Name of Jesus.  Jesus hears and is ready to help and to shepherd us through it, while reminding us that His power is always greater than the enemy:

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” –Jesus, John 15:4

Be sure to read to the end—This revelation passage reflects the love of God with a promise to His servants:

“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.”

(I’m not crying, you’re crying—okay, we’re both crying—tears of joy!)

Servants!  Read and rejoice!

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.

* * *

^9-12 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.”

Lord,

Thank you for your encouraging words of love, mercy, and grace. Thank you for reminding us that you win in the end with power beyond our enemy, beyond our circumstances when we call on Your Name. Thank you for trials that show your power and glory at work.  Thank you for peace that comes in the middle of pain and suffering. Thank you for helping us walk through the fires. Most of all thank you for daily cleansing our hearts as we seek you first each morning. Thank you for forgiving us as we forgive others. Thank you for shepherding us to places and people who need to know you more. Thank you for inviting us to your work. Thank you for renewing our minds by your Word. Thank you for refreshing our souls! Thank you for restoring the joy of your salvation at work within us with the promise of “no more tears” of hurt and despair.  Thank you for paying the debt of all sin and redeeming us forever.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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

… And though these 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!

… 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…

(Days of Elijah, Songwriter: Francis Robert Mark)

Ahh, these days!  We sigh deeply when we hear and observe, (mostly from a distance) of wars, rumors of wars, political scheming with slander to win more power for all the wrong reasons, love used and abused as a desire to control another, relationships tenuous at best because of seeking self-satisfaction, being easily offended, assuming the worst in each other.  But are these days as bad as the days of Noah—where only a few people believed God and did what He said? Sometimes we wonder and make judgments based on comparisons—a human thing we do often.  Sometimes pray out loud, “How long, O Lord, will you put up with this—and us?” 

Could it be we cry out when our faith begins to waver and wonder if God knows what is going on?  Maybe it’s not what is going on around us but in us.

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 don’t lay even a finger on the oil and wine.”

^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.

^12-17 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?”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Will it get worse before it’s gets better? 

As Jesus opens the seals, we imagine it will based on John’s vision of things to come when Jesus comes.  But if we hold on and never let go of who God is and what He promised we will be safe.  If we who have decided to believe in Jesus, His Son and follow what He taught; we will not perish.  Jesus warned his disciples and us—

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. ^‘Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.’”—Jesus, Matthew 24:6-1

HOLD ON to these words of Jesus as we continue…

Our times—

Where we live, work, and raise our families, people are harassing and slandering each other and sometimes killing each other to impress their peers so they can fit in and belong. What people really seek is acceptance of anyone who will notice them—but at a very high cost—they must take a life to have life in the group.  Groups like these are formed in the darkness by humans who have not seen, heard, or experienced the Light of Day.  Some have heard, but have rejected the Message. 

But we must realize we all fall for dark deeds of self-fulfillment easily.  It is our “fallen nature” to constantly seek to fill that emptiness in our souls first with all that is not God.  Since the fall of Adam and Eve, when the sin of self was introduced by the Tempter, we fall.  The Tempter, then and now, seeks to distract us from God, deceive us with lies about God with the ultimate goal to destroy our relationships with God.  (Genesis 3)

Oh how God loved to walk with His “created in His image” humans in the garden, but when they were enticed to “be God” (like the fallen angel did), the relationship was severed; but His love for them was not.  God had a Plan to restore this broken relationship. God knew. God loved. How great is our God?

The real Enemy of God (and we who believe God) is still at work to empty our souls of God.  Jesus came to earth to fulfil the Plan of God to reconcile us to God, redeem us from all sin, and give us a new beginning with God.  Jesus came to fill the empty place within us with all that is God.  How merciful is our God?

When we say Yes to Jesus, God’s Holy Spirt comes to live in all who believe with constant attention and holy transformation to our thinking that prompts our behaviors!  God’s Holy Spirit fills us to overflowing proportions of what was once empty inside us.  God meets and surpasses all our needs for love, acceptance, belonging, joy, and peace with the promise of life forever with Him—all because Jesus gave His life for ours.  Oh what a Savior, isn’t He wonderful!

God loves and accepts us the way we are as we come to Him; but God also loves us enough to grow us to be more like Him since we were “made in His image.”  His Holy Spirit works daily to comfort, convict, correct, and compel us to be more like Him in every way while loving us unconditionally with every step along the way.  His love never ends, never gives up on us, and never changes.  His love is deeper, wider, broader, and forever true.  God is relentlessly faithful to us—even when our faith fails for a time.  How awesome is God? 

So, maybe we have been asking the wrong questions as we judge our times.  Maybe better questions are;

Who do I know that needs love and acceptance from me as a believer in Jesus?

Do I look at others the way Jesus looks at me?

Do I love or do I judge? 

Do I help or hinder God’s plan and desire that no one perish but believe and have life forever?

Lord,

I’m praying the prayer of Paul who sat in a prison cell asking others to pray with him—

…that You may open a door for Your message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, no matter the circumstances of our own lives. I ask that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. I pray to be wise in the way I act toward outsiders; making the most of every opportunity. I pray that our conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer everyone.  (See Colossians 4:2-6) 

In Jesus Name, Amen

And these are the days of the harvest, yes Lord
The fields are as white in Your world
And we are the laborers in Your vineyard
Declaring the Word of the Lord

… Behold He comes, riding on the clouds
Shining like the sun at the trumpet’s call
So, lift your voice, it’s the year of Jubilee
And out of Zion’s hill, salvation comes…