Revelation 22

December 31

Revelation  22

The final battle is over. Jesus has reclaimed that which is rightfully He is coming back to take His throne and to deliver judgment. He who was from the beginning will bring light to the nations and live with His people. Those who are washed in the blood of Jesus, those who have received the gift of salvation offered to them through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus shall enter the gates of the holy city where the River of Life flows and the tree of life bears fruit every month.

Jesus delivered this message to John to tell to the churches. There will be no excuse that we did not know. There will be no excuse that we had not been warned. Jesus wanted everyone to know that He is coming back and when He comes, those who have rejected Him will be removed from His presence and cast into hell. Those who have received His salvation, will enter His presence for eternity. Jesus’ return will be a great and dreadful day. We can choose today what that day will be like. Our relationship with Jesus now dictates our eternal destiny. Come Lord Jesus!

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen." (Revelation 22:21, NIV)

 

 

 

Revelation 19-21

December 30

Revelation  19-21

When all is said and done there will be a new heaven and a new earth. God will dwell with His people. He will wipe away our tears. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Life will be as it was created to be when God first created. The earth will return to its former glory and God will be worshiped and obeyed. God will use the gems and minerals that are so sought after to build walls and roads.

The sun and moon will no longer need to shine because God’s glory will shine and give us light. When that day comes our faith will become sight. We will be able to stand in the presence of God and look upon His glory. We will walk with Jesus and enjoy His creation as it was meant to be. Sin will be removed and holiness will fill the land.

 

 

 

Revelation 17-18

December 29

Revelation 17-18

The things of earth will not last. People put their trust in their jobs, their savings, their homes, their retirement account, but none of these things will last. Babylon represents the focus of this world, the result of sinful humanity. There will be those who rise up against Jesus. Those who refuse to turn to Him. Some will worship the beast and persecute followers of Jesus. Though they come against the followers of Jesus, though they continue to reject Him and wage war against Him, they will not win.

Jesus said; "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18, NIV) When the final battle takes place, Jesus and His Church will remain standing. We all face challenges in life, but in the end, only one thing matters; our relationship with Jesus. Everything else is going to be destroyed. All the luxuries will turn to dust. We will stand before the judgment seat of Christ where we will hear; “well done my good and faithful servant”  or “away from me, I never knew you.” Our choices now affect our eternal life.

 

Revelation 14-16

December 28

Revelation 14-16

When the end or time approaches there will be a great division that will take place. In Matthew 13:47 and following, Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a net that catches all kinds of fish and the fishermen separate the good from the bad. "This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50, NIV) Jesus also said that at the harvest the wheat and the weeds would be separated. The wheat taken into the barn and the weeds will be burnt. These verses from Revelation reveal the fulfillment of the stories told by Jesus. Those who die in the Lord will rest from their labor, while the wicked will be cursed to eternal damnation.

You would think that when the bowls of wrath began to be poured out, the people would turn to God, begging for mercy, but they refuse to repent and give Him glory. In the Old Testament, God called Israel to repentance, but they refused. They trusted the other nations instead of trusting God. In our day, many people die refusing to turn to God, refusing to repent of their sin, refusing to put their trust in Jesus. We are reminded of the power of sin. Sin overpowers us and hardens our hearts until we refuse to listen to God; we refuse to submit to His authority. It is important to respond to God’s call when we hear Him. To “put off” responding may harden our hearts so we cannot respond. There will be a day of judgment, our only hope is to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

 

Revelation 11-13

December 27

Revelation 11-13

“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”" (Revelation 11:15, NIV)

 When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we pray; “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we look around at the direction the world seems to be taking, it can be frustrating or seem that God’s will, will never be done on earth as it is in heaven. But there will be a day, when God takes drastic measures to bring total restoration to His creation. There will be judgment of all people the living and the dead.  There will be rewards and ruin. God will come to claim that which is rightfully His.

God has allowed the prince of this world, the devil, Satan to do his damage over the years, but a day is coming when all that will be over and God will reign from His holy mountain. What we do now dictates what happens to us then. Those who bow before God now will be exalted in that day. Those who exalt themselves now will be brought low on that day. It will be a great and terrible day as God establishes His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Those who are a part of His kingdom will join Him; those who reject him will face eternal destruction.

What does that mean for us? We do not know the day or time Jesus will return and claim His kingdom, but we are called to be ready no matter when He comes. Jesus told several parables to emphasize this fact. One of the key points of Jesus’ ministry was; “repent for the Kingdom of God is near.” There is no better time than now to turn toward Jesus and live for His Kingdom.