Category: Revelation

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7,16-17 (day seven)

Important question.  What will I carry away from the study of Revelation?  We have spent 13 weeks, what will I remember next week, a few months from now?  What truth will change me?

I know the answer, at least part of it.  I will, going forward and with God’s help, live with “that day” in my mind.  That day of His return.  That day when he judges.  That day when He brings the Universe back into harmony with His clear, clean will.  That day when every eye will see Him.

I will evaluate my decisions against it.  I will care less that people judge me, more that He will (1 Corinthians 4).  I will join the blessed, joyful group that Paul describes in 2 Timothy 4, “those who LOVE His appearing”.

I will, God helping me, pray more often, and with more heart.  “Even so, COME Lord Jesus!”

You?  What will you carry away from the Revelation?

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7,16-17 (day five)

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”

One of the sources of Christian love is the assurance and certainty of the age to come. The pictures and promise of eternal life give courage and conviction to the believer. The images and hope found in this week’s Re:Verse passage serve as a catalyst for the believer to risk and radically love, serve, and reach both believers and non-believers.
Paul gives the same explanation to the church at Collossae. 1:4-5 (“because of the hope laid up for you in heaven”). The hope of eternal security and comfort releases profound, unconditional love now.

The person who knows that his destiny is glorious and certain will be free to live the most radical life of love and sacrifice here on earth.- John Piper

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7, 16-17 (day four)

Revelation has given us a glimpse of the future.  For the unbeliever, it is a grim and foreboding future…justice will be swift and complete.  For the believer, it is a future of hope and promise… a future of fulfilled promises and eternal peace.  But do we have to wait until the end before we can participate in and enjoy the fruit of righteousness?  The answer is no!

Today is Thanksgiving Day…a day set aside to give thanks to God for His many blessings.  Many in our nation today do not recognize or celebrate God’s goodness and provision.  Thanksgiving Day is just a day to eat lots of food and prepare for Black Friday.  Does your family reflect on the bountiful provision God has given you?  It may not be material provision… but look at the blessings of faith…the blessings of answered prayer…the blessings of fulfilled promises (Revelation!)…the blessings of family.  Pause this day to thank the Father…the Alpha and the Omega!

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7, 16-17 (day three)

“Behold, the dwelling of God is with men.” 

Many languages of men have aimed to describe the greatness of God.  The words go only so far, and then they finally fail to capture the scope of that greatness.  No words can convey such complete beauty, power, and goodness…except the simple declaration that God is love.  And here, in the final book of the Bible, we see at last the fullness of that way of love: God comes to live with men.   Only love forgives and never looks back.  Only love restores and never ruins.  Only love moves toward and never runs away.  God moves toward you.  Are you moving towards God by what you desire, by what you think, by how carry out your physical existence, by how you live with others?

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7,16-17 (day two) 

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. 22:5

Have you ever been in a “dark place?” Or have you heard someone describe their circumstances as dark or gloomy? There is more here than just colorful language. The idea of being in darkness has real spiritual significance. For John  to say that in the New Jerusalem there will be no need for lamps or sun means freedom from the things that have continually clouded our view of the savior. We will see him clearly, as we are meant to. Have you been to Alaska in the summer? People are outside at midnight walking, playing, enjoying the sun. It does something to your body and to your mind. The sun is life-giving. It is more than a metaphor: Jesus is the light of the world – Jesus is life. Look up, there is light in this dark world.

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-7,16-17 (day one) 
“It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega. . .HE WHO OVERCOMES will inherit these things.”–21:6

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”–Jesus (Matthew 24:13)

In the end, the story will have perfect symmetry.  Unspeakable beauty.  God who created the world in supernatural fiat, will also judge and restore it.  The narrative is not evolution.  It is faithfulness and fulfillment.  Justice and peace.

Patience is required.  None of us knows the day or the hour of the Lord’s return.  None of us controls that calendar.  His value, then, is on perseverance.  A daily assignment to overcome all challenges that hinder or prevent our faithfulness to Christ.   Overcoming doubt and temptation, prayerlessness, fear and pride. doubt.

What Goliath stands in your path, this day?  What challenger forbids your progress?  The fight required to defeat him will be well worth the price.  What must you overcome in order to endure?

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.