Revelation 6-10

December 26

Revelation 6-10

" After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”" (Revelation 7:9-10, NIV)

 Though the gate is narrow that leads to life, there will be a great multitude, who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, who will stand before Jesus in heaven worshiping Him. Every nation, tribe, people, and language will be represented in this mass of people. The prejudices of earth will pass away as we gather as one people to worship our only Savior. Red, yellow, black, and white, as the children’s song proclaims, are all precious in His sight. The man made divisions will all be demolished.

 As citizens of the Kingdom of God, now is the time to prepare for our time standing before the throne of Jesus. Now is the time to tear down the walls that separate us because of race, color, or nationality. Followers of Jesus will spend eternity together worshiping our Lord; we should learn to get along now. Jesus said the second greatest command was to love our neighbor as ourselves. He then told a story about a Samaritan caring for the needs of a Jew, though the two people groups had a strong dislike of each other.

 Are there people of certain nationalities or colors that you tense up around? Are there some people groups that you distrust? Do you have prejudices? Most if not all of us have learned prejudices, but being prejudice is not of God."“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV)  He gave His Son for all the nations, all the races, all people, the world. If Christians treated each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, the world would be a whole lot closer to peace, and God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

 

Revelation 3-5

December 25

Revelation 3-5

On what we celebrate as Christmas Day, God brought His throne to earth. Jesus left His rainbow encircled throne for a straw lined crib made out of a feed trough. He left the worship of the angels around the throne, for the worship of some uneducated shepherds who left their flocks to see this baby they had been told about. Jesus left the glory described in Revelation 4 so that we would join Him there someday. We will join the multitude as they worship the lamb who is found worthy to open the scroll.

In the mean time, we wait. We live out our lives on earth unaware of the activities taking place in heaven. We lift up our prayers, sometimes wondering if they are even heard. We cry out for loved ones, we anoint the sick, we ask for wisdom, we lift words of praise. In the mean time, in heaven, our prayers are lifted before the throne in golden bowls as incense. God knows our prayers and as incense penetrates our noses; our prayers are taken in by God himself.

God’s love for us is displayed throughout the year, but His greatest gift is celebrated during Christmas. He has plans for each of us. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) Christmas reminds us that God’s plans will come to fruition, even when we grow tired and weary and wonder when.

 

 

Revelation 1-2

December 24

Revelation 1-2

     It is Christmas Eve and our reading today reminds us that Jesus is coming back to claim those who follow Him. Just as no one knew when He would arrive the first time He came, He will come like a thief in the night. We may not expect it, but we can be ready for His return. He will come to bring judgment and restoration to a lost and broken world.

     Though He died, He lives and He holds the keys of death and Hades. Jesus’ letters to the churches addresses their strengths, gives warnings about their weaknesses, and reminds them of the advantage of overcoming the pull of the world. Life in this world is a struggle. There are multiple challenges. But there are rewards for our perseverance. Those who overcome will; receive the right to eat from the tree of life, will not be hurt by the second death, will receive some of the hidden manna, will receive a white stone with a new name, will receive authority over the nations, will be dressed in white and their name will never be blotted out of the book of life, Jesus will acknowledge them before the Father, will become a pillar in the temple of God, and will receive the right to sit on the throne with Jesus.

     The rewards God pours out on us for persevering with Him, far outweighs the empty promises of the world. Some grow weary wondering when. We do not know when, but just as He told us about the first coming through the prophets, He also told us about His return. He is coming back to wrap up what He has already begun. He is coming back to make all things new.

 

 

 

2 &3 John, Jude

December 23

2 &3 John, Jude

As long as we live in this world, there will be opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some people bring obvious opposition, but the more dangerous are those who try to change the message of Jesus in subtle ways that may go unnoticed. Sometimes the gospel in all its truth is difficult to hear. The softening of the words is easier on our ears. The excuse of we are only human takes away the sting of sin. But God has called us to so much more. He calls us to walk in obedience to Him. He calls us to follow Him, no matter the cost. There will be people who try to knock us off course, but remember the road is narrow that leads to eternal life and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:14).

To try to live the Christian life without the power of God leading us is impossible, but God “is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—" (Jude 24, NIV) Through prayer, scripture reading, the fellowship of believers, and faith in Jesus, we are able to persevere through a life of trials and will receive our eternal reward in Christ.

 

 

 

1 John

December 22

1 John

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:16, NIV)

 

This is worship; laying down our lives for our brothers. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 5:21, NIV) When we respond to God’s great love for us by laying down our lives for others, we are imitating Jesus. He did not respond to the false accusations hurled at Him by firing back words of ridicule and hatred. Jesus laid down His life in order to give us eternal life. He gave up His rightful position in order to hang on the cross so we could enter His presence in Heaven.

Laying down of our lives does not necessarily mean we have to die. Laying down our lives means we put aside our claim to our position for the benefit of others. Laying down our lives means we become servants of others. Laying down our lives means we die to ourselves daily and live for Jesus. Laying down our lives means we imitate the love Jesus displayed on the cross for those who loved Him and for His enemies. Laying down our lives means, as Paul wrote; "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, NIV)

Laying down our lives is the ultimate display of love. John wrote that our salvation is revealed by our love for God and our love for people. We cannot say we love God and not love people. Our love for God is revealed in our love for people. If we realize how much God loves us and the price He paid for our salvation, it becomes easier to put aside our rights for the benefit of others.