Revelation 22

John vision concludes with the sights of the New Heaven, a fruitful place of joy and peace with God as the Supreme Sovereign.  A promise is given to John that the events will take place.  John utters his desire to see the events quickly come to pass, and assumes that all those who love the Lord as he does will desire the same.


As 2009 draws to a close, my desire is to see the Lord bring to pass all that He has promised to do.  "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

Revelation 21

John sees the creation of a new heaven and earth, crowned by the city of New Jerusalem.  The pinnacle of this masterwork is the presence of God with mankind and the banishment of death, sorrow, pain, and tears.  This city of New Jerusalem is called the bride of the Lamb and is described in beautiful detail.  Great care is taken to present this bride to her Bridegroom!  The only missing fixture is a place of worship.  There is no temple, nor is there any illumination source.  The sun and moon are extraneous; the Lamb illuminates the city and its inhabitants.

Revelation 20

Following the destruction of the beast and his followers, Satan is bound for 1,000 years while Jesus Christ reigns upon the earth.  After 1,000 years have passed, Satan is released and leads a short-lived rebellion against Christ.  At this point, all - living and dead - are judged.  All those not found in the Lamb's book of life are cast into a lake of fire to be eternally separated from the presence of God's blessing.

Revelation 19

A celebration occurs in heaven, a feast to honor the marriage of the Lamb.  In the midst of the festivities, the Lamb mounts a white horse and rides off to earth to claim final victory over the forces of earth.  The resulting battle proves a total victory for the forces of the Lamb.

Revelation 18

The city/state/nation of Babylon is destroyed, much to the consternation and chagrin of those who have had dealings with her.  The cause of the fall is the perpetual idolatry and sin against God committed by the inhabitants of Babylon.  The response to God's judgment should be repentance; but the inhabitants of Babylon refuse to repent, even though it means their own destruction.

Revelation 17

John is shown a vision of the destruction of a nation that seems to have total control over a majority of the world's power.  This nation is pictured as being drunk on the blood of the many slain under her regime.  God pours out His vengeance on this nation and destroys it completely.  The pieces are put together and God's plans set in motion to bring about His great purposes.

Revelation 16

The angels pour out their bowls of judgment on the earth resulting in widespread devastation but not in repentance. The judgments culminate in a great battle shaping up in a place called Armageddon.

Just a few words ...

As I type this, it is the day before Christmas.  Many will take time over the next 72 hours to reconnect with family, friends, loved ones and perhaps even strangers to share a meal, gifts or other pleasantries.  I know I am not the first nor last, so let me be the next to wish you a very merry and safe Christmas.  I trust you will also take time to assess your relationship with the One whose birth is commemorated.  Jesus was born so that His life, death and resurrection might be the perfect substitute for the rightly deserved penalty we each owe God for our sin.  The birth of One so great deserves remembering!


I trust you will also spend time at least considering those less fortunate this season.  Whether their situation is due to job loss, poor choices, addictions, evictions, death, disease or some other factor, may yours be a hand reached out in love and not drawn back in disgust or trepidity.  Both you and the one you contact will be better for the encounter!


Merry Christmas!  When the new year begins, the daily walk through the Bible will continue.  2010 will progress through the entire Bible in one year by taking a historical path - reading the books in the order they were written.

Revelation 15

John sees another vision of events taking place in heaven.  Angels carrying bowls of God's judgment prepare to pour out His wrath upon the earth.  Before they do this, God is praised for His holiness, mightiness, justice and worthiness of worship.  While God may punish the earth, He is just for doing so.  It is His creation and He may deal with it in whatever way He desires.  His actions prove that He has the authority and control over the universe.

Revelation 14

John sees the Lamb again, this time with the 144,000 protected ones previously mentioned.  They sing a beautiful song regarding their relationship with one another.  While this concert continues, angels fly with messages of the need for repentance and turning to God, as well as a message of the destruction of a great city named Babylon and words of warning to those who have given allegiance to the beast.  A blessing is pronounced on those who die for their faith.  John then sees a vision of Jesus Messiah who gives the order to begin reaping the harvest of earth - which results in a massive amount of bloodshed as the harvest is subjected to what is described as the wine-press of God's wrath.

Revelation 13

John sees a beast rise out of the sea and take power over the earth.  His power is extremely great and many worship him, declaring that none can stand against him.  The beast blasphemes against God and makes war against those that have turned to God.  Another beast emerges and lends aid to the first beast, causing the planet to worship the first beast by bringing down fire from heaven and compelling earth's citizenry to demonstrate allegiance to the beast by receiving his mark in their bodies.

Revelation 12

John sees a sign in heaven depicting a woman giving birth to the Messiah, and the attention given that birth by a great dragon.  The birth is not prevented, the dragon is expelled from heaven and begins to mount an insurrection in the short time he has remaining.  The dragon persecutes the woman who gave birth and those who resist are killed - yet God continues to protect the woman and her offspring who show their loyalty to the Child born to her.

Revelation 11

John describes two witnesses that travel throughout the city of Jerusalem, bringing the message of God to those living in the city.  These witnesses are killed and then resurrected three days later as a sign from God that their message was true and correct.  The seventh angel sounds his trumpet signalling the transfer of the kingdoms of the earth to the control of God Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Revelation 10

John sees an incredible vision, but is instructed not to reveal what was said or seen.  He would be charged with giving other revelation to people, but not concerning that specific item.  The revelation itself was sweet, but having to maintain silence about it made it bitter to John.

Revelation 9

The fifth angel sounds their trumpet, signalling the opening of a bottomless pit from which comes great smoke and pestilence that strikes those not belonging to God.  This plague lasts for five months, under the control of one called The Destroyer.  The sixth angel blows their trumpet and an army is released that kills 1/3 of the population through fire, smoke and brimstone.  Those left on the planet refuse to repent of their works and refuse to turn to God, preferring instead to try to outlast His wrath and fury.

Revelation 8

The seventh section of the scroll is opened and the result is a hush throughout heaven (a place normally echoing with praise and joy).  Shortly, seven angels appear each carrying a trumpet.  At the sounding of the first trumpet, 1/3 of earth's vegetation is destroyed.  The second trumpet sounds, resulting in 1/3 of the seas and oceans being destroyed.  The third trumpet brings destruction to 1/3 of the planet's fresh water supply.  The fourth trumpet results in the darkening of the planet's light sources - the sun is decreased by 1/3, 1/3 of the moon and stars are no longer visible.  An angel interrupts this ghastly concert to declare that the remaining trumpets will only bring further turmoil and destruction to the earth.

Revelation 7

John observes an angel preserving a large number of the children of Israel from the impending disaster.  12,000 from each tribe are given God's seal of protection (no small feat, since some of these tribes had their family records destroyed in the Assyrian invasion in the 700s BC).  John then sees a larger crowd, one that could not be counted for its size declaring the great salvation God has wrought and the glory He deserves for providing so great a salvation through His Son, the Lamb.  This crowd is identified as 'ones who come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.'  God provides protection, but it is always by the same method - through the atoning sacrifice of His Son.

Revelation 6

The Lamb, having taken possession of the scroll, unfolds it piece by piece.  The first section reveals one who goes in peace to conquer the world.  The second section releases one who takes peace from the earth and creates global discord and warring.  The third section reveals a global collapse of the food supply and financial markets.  The fourth section sends out one to bring widespread death upon the planet - reducing the global population by 25%.  The fifth section outlines the cry of those who have been persecuted and killed for their faith, asking for God's vengeance to be shown to His enemies.  The sixth section is filled with disturbances among the galactic bodies - eclipses, meteors, earthquakes seem to be pictured - that bring world leaders and the general citizenry to fall into a panic.

Revelation 5

John is confronted with a vision that occurs in the throne room of Heaven.  A scroll, much like a land title, is presented in hopes that one would be found worthy to accept and inherit it.  None is found worthy, causing John great concern.  An angel comforts him, stating that One IS worthy.  When John looks to see this One worthy of inheriting the title to the universe, He sees not the promised Lion of Judah but a Lamb that appeared to be slain.  In a moment all is clear:  the Lamb slain IS the promised Lion of Judah that IS worthy of the honor and prestige of laying claim to the universe.  The rest of the book of Revelation demonstrates how this worthy Recipient takes possession of what is rightfully His.

Revelation 4

John relates the vision that God allowed Him to experience.  He was invited into the very throne room of Heaven; his description is fascinating and detailed.  Of all the items one could describe, John focuses on the centerpiece:  God's presence.  The angels are preoccupied with God's holiness and worthiness of worship.

Revelation 3

The church in Sardis received a message.  God was aware of their reputation as being alive and thriving; but the truth was that they were dead.  What they were claiming to do for God was not pleasing to Him.  Those who would not mend their ways would find themselves on the receiving end of God's wrath.  Those who did change would find God's pleasure displayed in their lives.


The church in Philadelphia was sent a message.  They were a church facing many opportunities.  They had remained faithful and would be kept safe from the impending problems that would also be faced.


The church in Laodicia was sent a message stating that they were neither hot nor cold.  Their lukewarmness was repulsive to God.  They needed to repent of their apathy and return to their original fervor for loving and serving God.  The church is given the invitation to allow God back into their midst to enjoy fellowship once more.

Revelation 2

A message is given to the church and pastor in the city of Ephesus.  God Himself is aware of their service, their tireless fight for the truth against error and their unswerving allegiance to His name.  They were also guilty of leaving their first love; they had allowed all they were doing to develop into cold ritual instead of warm loving service.  This church is encouraged to rekindle their love for the Lord and let that love be the motivation for their service.


The church and pastor in Smyrna was sent a message.  This church was not held in high regard by many in the community; but God says that His evaluation of them is much different.  Although they were facing suffering and testing of various degrees, God promises to reward their life-long faithfulness with life.


The church and pastor in Pergamos received a message.  They were located in a city known as a center for evil, yet they held true to the teachings of the Gospel.  Some of their midst had even died for their faith.  The problem in Pergamos was their tolerance of false doctrine - namely  mixing elements from society in with Christianity (we call it syncretism today).  This church is called to repentance in order to avoid the business end of God's battle sword.


The church and pastor of Thyatira was also sent a message.  This was a seemingly growing church, but they were allowing the wrong people to teach.  The made the teacher the wrong person was the subject of their teaching - namely that immorality and violation of conscience was approved by God.  God promised to remove this leader with illness and death to prove that He alone determines what is acceptable.  Those who are remaining faithfully loyal to God in this troubled church are encouraged to continue faithfully so that God may reward them.

Revelation 1

The last book of the Bible begins with the statement that the events described "must shortly take place."  As in most prophetic writing, 'shortly' is a relative term.  To be sure, there were events that did take place during the surrounding years of the book's being written; other events are still in the future some 19 centuries later.  The blessing promised to those who hear and follow the instructions is still available today.


John writes primarily to seven churches throughout Asia Minor.  These cities radiate from the metropolis of Ephesus and form a circle throughout the region.  More important than the location of the churches is the One Who addresses them - the Alpha and Omega (we would say today the "be all and end all").  Jesus Himself addresses John during his exile on the island of Patmos.  John sees Jesus in His transfigured glory and receives a message to these seven churches.

Jude

Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, writes a letter encouraging his readers to earnestly contend for their faith.  He reminds them that even those whom God has delivered from great bondage (for example, Israel from Egypt) are held accountable when they fall into sin and disobedience.  Jude is concerned because teachers have gained access to the believers and are spreading lies concerning Jesus and the glory of salvation.  Their motivation is not growth of the believer but growth of their own personality and portfolio.  They are described as rain clouds without rain, fruit trees without fruit and shooting stars - full of promise but woefully lacking in substance.  Those who follow Jesus are to remember that He spoke about this happening, and to lovingly remain anchored to the Truth of the gospel - the good news that Jesus, born of a Virgin according to the prophecy of God, lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary death in fulfillment of God's promise;  He proved Himself to be the promised Son of God and Messiah by rising from the dead three days later and now offers full forgiveness to those who will trust that He alone has accomplished what they could never accomplish on their own:  full reconciliation to God.

3 John

John writes a letter to a fellow believer named Gaius.  John's desire is to see Gaius continue to grow in the Lord - and asks that his physical health would be parallel to his spiritual health.  This follower of Jesus knows, loves and does the truth.  He cares for those who work in and among the body of believers, even among those whose motives for service are less than honorable.  Those who would use the body of believers for personal gain or their own reputation are not to be emulated.

2 John

The apostle John writes to readers about the love they should have for truth.  Truth is to be held up as the standard for life and living, the measuring standard for action and relationship, and the litmus test for fellowship and cooperation.  John anticipates seeing these readers soon, but desires them to know this information prior to his arrival.

1 John 5

John concludes his letter by reminding his readers that Christian love is displayed in genuine love for others.  Those who know God have a confidence that He hears them and answers their prayers.  They will keep themselves pure in their lives as a testimony to what God has done; and as a demonstration of their desire to live a life pleasing to God.

1 John 4

John encourages his readers to be critical in their thinking, not just blindly accepting everyone's testimony who claims to follow and love God.  In fact, many according to John are misleading people by their words.  Those who do love and follow God will demonstrate their beliefs by their love for others and their growth in their love for others.

1 John 3

The one who genuinely follows Jesus will be motivated by such great love to remain pure in their daily lives, knowing that one day Jesus will return and we will be completely like Him.  If we seek to remain in our fellowship with Him, we will keep our lives free from contaminants that cannot abide in His presence.  One's fruits (their deeds) show their roots (what is really at the center of their character).  This is why the world system is antagonistic to the things of Christ; at the center of the world's character is a hatred and disgust for the things of God.  However, at the center of God's character (and, by extension, His followers) is love for one another, a love that expresses itself in genuinely good deeds that please God and build others into what pleases God.

1 John 2

John reminds his readers that Jesus has dealt successfully with sin.  Those who encounter sin now need only ask for His assistance.  He then lists further benchmarks to test the relationship status between Jesus and one claiming to follow Him.  Obedience is the next test; the one seriously following Jesus will keep His commands.  Love for others is also a benchmark.  One cannot know and share the love of God while harboring resentment and hatred for others.  Love for the world and its attractions must not be part of the God-followers' life, either.  Several had left the group to which John was writing.  They demonstrated by their actions that their heart had never been transformed.

1 John 1

The apostle John writes to his audience so that they might rejoice in their relationship with God.  John had first-hand knowledge of experience with the Son of God, and he wants his readers to know that same joy.  Throughout this letter, he will provide numerous benchmarks that can be used to validate one's relationship with God the Father.  The first benchmark is lifestyle:  the person who claims a relationship to God and does not live a transformed life really knows nothing of a relationship to God.  The second benchmark is a perception of sin.  The one who claims to have no sin is fooling only himself.

2 Peter 3

Peter reminds his readers that though many may question God's ability to keep His promises, God is not bound by human timetables. Knowing He will return and reward those who faithfully wait for Him, followers will live accordingly.