Month: November 2016

A name only He knows

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-10 (day seven)

“He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.”–19:12

It teaches humility.  Requires it, actually.  We “see through a glass, darkly”, said Paul as he reflected on this same reality.  What we know of Christ, we know truly, but not completely.

It will still be true when the Lord comes.  We will “see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).  See His glory!  Know His names, “Faithful and True, The Word of God, King of Kings”.

Even so, there will be a unsolved mystery.  A depth and identity for the Son of God that no one can grasp.  How could it be otherwise?  An infinite God/Man must always be larger than our logic and understanding.

When He comes, we will marvel!  We will praise and adore!  But, even then, we will not fully understand.  It will humble us and make us rejoice all the more in our sufficient and infinite Savior.

Free

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-10 (day six)

Satan is bound, but we are free. By “we,” I mean the Church. The powers of hell will not/cannot prevail against it! Ironically we don’t always live free. Often we hesitate to talk about Jesus to others out of fear, or we fail to see how the Gospel changes all of our life at home and at work. We live as if we are bound, but we are to live free, and with authority to fish for men.

This morning, or afternoon, take the time to examine your own life. Do you live free? Or do you live as if you are bound? And remember Satan has no authority (any longer) to accuse or condemn; he has no power over you. You are a child of the King; now ask God for the grace to live like it!

Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-10 (day five)

And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Have you picked up your “Pray First” wristband (a reminder to pray for the pastoral transition and succession at FBCSA) They are available at the “Ask Me” booths.

Will you join me in praying for our next Pastor today??

Will you pray for thoughts, a heart, and words to be filled with power and truth from the Spirit? (An example and passion that would stir our hearts and bend our knees)

Will you pray for a humble servant/leader that would always point us to worship and glorify the Living God instead of lesser things or people?

Will you pray that our church be led to always display and proclaim the matchless beauty and saving love of Christ?

Deception

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-10 (day four)

Deception…it is one of the key weapons or strategies that Satan uses.  Think back…it was deception that led Eve to sin…Delilah used deception to defeat Samson…Ananias and Sapphira sought to deceive the church…the list goes on.  For a thousand years (20:2-3), while Satan is bound, the earth will be free from deception.

We are not there yet!  Deception is all around us.  How can we possibly know what to believe?  We know what to believe because we can know Truth.  Truth is a person, not a concept.  19:11 tells us one of Jesus’ names is Truth.  John 14:6 tells us:  (Jesus speaking) “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…”  We can know Truth because we know Jesus.  The disciples never had to ask Jesus which way to go.  They just looked to see where Jesus was going and stayed close to Him.  Get close to Him and stay there!

YHWH

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-10 (day two)

“King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”  This name is another take on the name God reveals to Moses: I AM THAT I AM.  To make the claim that the triune God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—is merely the strongest being of all fails to articulate the necessity of God.  We don’t need a cosmic bouncer who’s got our back.  We need our existence—and the existence of all things—made possible in the first place.  God is the source, the ground, the origin, the finale.  Nothingness is the only alternative to God, but even that is sheer nonsense, because we can’t even envision the concept of nothingness without relying on God who makes such envisioning possible.  It isn’t for nothing that Paul calls him the “all in all.”  Now that’s [R/r]evelation.

The Great Hallel

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-10 (day two) “After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.” vs 1

Psalm 136 is known as the Great Hallel (the singular form of the more familiar Hallelujah). This word can be translated “Praise.” There are several portions of the book of Psalms that, depending on your translation, begin “Praise the Lord”, or “Hallelujah.” The over-arching theme of the psalter one of praise, and as you move toward the later chapters it is inescapable. What is even more profound is that even in the psalms of lamentation there is some element praise. There is a recognition of God’s ultimate sovereignty in all things, and that in all circumstances we are to praise him. Psalm 136 is a great reminder of that. After every verse is the refrain his love endures forever.

How appropriate then, after the fall and destruction of Babylon, and the pouring out of God’s righteous wrath upon the world, the multitudes shout Hallelujah! God is sovereign. He is in control. Set your gaze not on what is falling apart, but on his face, and then Praise! Hallelujah!

Faithful and True

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-10 (day one) “And I saw heaven opened up, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True.”–19:11.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ is faithful and true to the promises He made.  None of His declared purposes will fail.  He will “FULL fill” them all.

“I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN, and receive you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”–John 14:2-3  Faithful and true to that promise.

“When the Son of Man COMES IN HIS GLORY and all the angels with Him. . .He will separate (the nations). . .the sheep on the right, the goats on the left.”–Matthew 25:31-33.  Faithful and true to this one too.

Over time, some will begin to doubt.  Bad idea.  When He comes, the world will recognize that He has kept His promises.  All of them.

Satan’s strategy

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 – 18 (Day seven)

“You surely will not die”, said the snake. (Genesis 3:5)

It is a long strategy of our Enemy.  Time-tested.  He convinces men that there is no danger.  “You are a good person.”  “No one believes anymore in a God who sends people to Hell.” ” I have received Christ”.  Swallowing the bait, we ignore God’s word, God’s warning when it comes.  Never even consider it.

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”–Philippians 2:12.  What could that possibly mean if (as Satan whispers) there is nothing to fear?

“Do not be deceived ( seeing the pattern?) God is not mocked!  Whatever a man sows, this we he also reap.”–Galatians 6:7.

Today, we read Revelation 17 and 18.  As promised, Rome falls!  What else would we expect?  Immorality, cruelty, unbelief, self-glorification reaches beyond the mercy of God.

Lord, give us ears and urgency and the courage to act!  Our enemy has deceived many, saying that there is nothing to fear.

Bride

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 – 18 (Day six)

“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.” Revelation 19:7-8

This weekend I am away hosting a Marriage Strong marriage retreat. It has been such a delight to share this weekend with such good people. It is also fitting in light of Revelation 17-19. What a contrast between the Bride of Christ, the Church, and the “mother of prostitutes” depicted so vividly in John’s vision. The great prostitute is the epicenter of immorality and idolatry; the world is captivated by her lusts, and she and all who follow her fall under the weight of their unrighteousness, receiving what they deserve, the very wrath of God.

But the Bride! Preserved by the Lion and the Lamb, she stands in brilliant righteousness. Not bearing a righteousness of her own but clothed by the blood of our Redeemer, she does not cower in fear, but stands in His love, mercy, and grace. We are loved! We are preserved! We are clothed in fine linen, bright, and pure!

Where Do I “Belong”?

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 – 18 (Day five) 

Revelation 17:8 And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.

Been thinking about these people a lot this week.  Those who “dwell” on the earth.  Another version used the word “belong” instead of dwell.

Scripture teaches this world is not “home” for believers.  Jesus says in John 18 John, “My kingdom is not of this world.  Those who have been saved through faith are citizens and members of God’s Kingdom.   I did some heart searching, asking the question, “How much do I dwell/belong to this world?”

Here’s where I checked:  Attention (What occupies my thoughts, dreams, perspective?), Affection (What activities, opportunities, and priorities capture my heart? Energy (Are activities and motivations more defined by work/productivity or ministry and service?) Passion (What is it that I want to be and do more than anything?) Longing (Are my values deeper, higher, and eternal?)