Category: Revelation

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17; 13:1-4, 11-18 (day one)

In Revelation 12, John’s vision continues to grow (in complexity and in tension).  He sees a gloriously clad woman who was “with child”.  Standing in front of her is a dragon, waiting for the child to be born so that he might “devour” the newborn. (v 4).

The dragon represents Satan (v 9).  The woman (some say) is Mary, and the baby is Jesus.  (But what, then, does it mean that she fled to the wilderness for over one thousand days?)  Others say the woman is the church.  (But Christ gave birth to the church, not vice versa).  The best explanation is that the woman represents true Israel, Israel of faith.  From her came the Savior.  Against her, the wrath of Satan is poured out.

At the end of time, God will still be dealing with Israel.  Calling them to salvation in Christ, protecting them.  Long struggle.  Not over yet.  Someday soon, we hope.  Someday soon!

Revelation 10:1-9; 11:1-15 (day seven)

“Take it and eat it.  It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.”  v 10:9.

Strange image.  Not unusual in the Bible.  The strong angel tells John to eat the scroll!  “Your words came to me, and I did eat them.” said Jeremiah.  The idea (clearly) is that Scripture must “get inside of me” to have its powerful effect.  I digest it.  It becomes part of of me.

It will not always be fun to do so.  As sweet as God’s word can be (to my guilty soul or confused mind) it is, just as often, a bitter pill.  My stomach turns sour as I struggle to apologize, to confess sin, to wait on the Lord as His word instructs.

“They word is a lamp unto my feet” says the scripture to God.  True, but it also can be a pain in the belly.

 

Revelation 10:1-9; 11:1-15 (day six)

What is astounding is the authority in which the two witnesses testify. They do incredible things for a season, and then they fall under the weight of evil,…at least that is what it seems. And then while the world gawks at their victory, God raises the two witnesses back to life. Ultimate victory was theirs.

We too have been given divine authority. Remember when Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me?” He gave us authority to “go and make disciples.” Will we go? Will we trust in the authority given to us? We must. Victory is assured.

Revelation 10:1-9; 11:1-15 (day five)

In John’s vision of the end times, there is clear direction and instruction for him. He is not just a spectator in this vision. He is involved. In chapter 10 &11 notice the prompts to John: do not write, take the book, eat the book, measure the temple, prophesy again. John is an active and obedient participant.

Some believers have a vision (version) of the Christian life that does not give attention to obedience. Following Christ does not allow for the option of being bystanders. He desires us to be engaged in the work of the Gospel and involved in God’s plan and purpose. He desires to use our gifts, talents, abilities, and opportunities for His Glory!! Daily we can join in His redemptive work that continues until he decides time has run out.   God will use us as an employee, student, husband, parent, co-worker, employer, neighbor, and a hundred more ways. Anyone struggle with being obedient? Repent and get in the game!!

 

Re:Verse passage: Revelation 10:1-9; 11:1-15 (day four)

Our God is a God of details.  At the creation of the world, even the smallest details of design were carefully planned and executed.  Now, as we read in our Re:Verse passage this week, we discover that the end of time has been carefully planned out with every detail in place.  From start to finish, God has established a well-ordered design.  Every event in history, from creation to final judgment, has been a part of God’s grand design.

For a God to be able to plan such a vast array of details…each one building to a climax of grace and judgment…why do we question whether or not He can take care of the details of our lives?  Something happens…good or bad…in our lives, and we begin to “re-calculate” the direction of our life, based on the new circumstances.  Our “re-calculations” may be accompanied by great anxiety or great excitement, depending on the circumstances.

When will we learn to go to God first to seek His counsel…His direction…His wisdom…His comfort.  Paul said it best…”Be anxious for nothing, in everything give thanks.”

Re:Verse passage: Revelation 10:1-9; 11:1-15 (day three)

“These two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.”  It’s not uncommon these days for someone to claim that he’s “evolving” on this or that issue, which almost always means that he’s moving from a biblically orthodox belief to a novel, less biblically-faithful position.  But the word “evolving” is a dodge.  Rather than owning his heresy, rather than arriving at a position through careful reflection, the person who caves to the spirit of the age will assign responsibility to forces beyond his control.  Both the Bible and the church will stand through it all, bearing witness to the truth: Men are accountable to God.  The Bible explains what the church lives out, and wicked men and women will find comfort in neither.  But they will find the way to eternal life.  Stay true, church.

 

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 10:1-9; 11:1-15 (day two)
“Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshippers there.” 11:1

Locusts, beasts, dragons, plagues, famine, war, calamity, and most certainly death…yet there are still those remaining who refuse to give up the hope that is promised in Jesus Christ. What does adversity do to your faith? When push comes to shove and everyone, and everything you hold dear is falling away can you still gather together with other saints and cry out to the Lord? No one can truly know how far they can be tested, but we can gird ourselves for the trial. Our spiritual training that comes through our time spent in reading the Word, communing in prayer, worshipping with others is all the pre-requisite to building that spiritual muscle need for the day when we will face the challenge. May we all stand to worship when the world around us falls.

 

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 10:1-9; 11:1-15 (day one)

“And he swore . . .that there shall be delay no longer.”–10:6

Ever seen a football team try to win a game in the last few seconds?  The clock ticks away as they march down the field.  A field goal or a touchdown needed to claim victory?

Often, time runs out before they can achieve their goal.  The team still has plays left to run, energy and ideas but the last seconds have ticked away.  “Game over” says the referee.

Revelation 10 is a similar picture related to a much more important endeavor.  After multiple moments of God’s patience, after many delays as He waits for men to repent, the angel suddenly announces “there will be no more delay”.

Literally it reads, “there will be no more time (chronos).”  No more seconds on the clock.  No more opportunities to get it right.  The judgement comes swiftly now.  Game over.  The world has run out of time.

 

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 8 and 9 (day seven)

“And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions.”–9:3

Been to Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico?  Remember the story of its modern discovery? In 1898, Jim White was a seventeen year old cowboy. Looking for stray cattle. Saw instead a cloud rising from the desert hills.  But it wasn’t a cloud, it was bats! Swirling upward, spreading out for a night of doing what bats do.

In Revelation 9, John sees something similar.  A cloud of smoke rising up out of the Abyss. From the smoke,  a swarm of locusts.

Normally, locusts eat vegetation and leave people unharmed.  Not these.  They symbolize God’s wrath on the race of men who have resisted and rebelled past the threshold of His patience.

Is wrath real?  Are people and nations moving toward an encounter with an angry God? John says yes. Jesus says yes.  What do we say?

Re:Verse reading–Revelation 8 and 9 (day six)

The trumpets are a kindness, and so were the seals. Every seal, every trumpet blast is a call to repentance. We read death and destruction, but each day that God delays the “Day of the Lord” is a kindness, not just to the unbelieving but also the church. It is no coincidence that Revelation begins with letters to seven churches; the trumpets are as much for them as they are for those who remain in their sin. They serve as a reminder, a wakeup call, that all of creation is careening towards a final and eternal judgment; that the Father, through Jesus, will finish his work of salvation.

So you see, the trumpets are a kindness to us. Revelation was not intended for our varied speculations, but for action. Do you hear them?