Tag: Revelation

Devotional

King of Kings

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Revelation 19:11-16

The scene is set in heaven. The Holy Spirit revealed to the Apostle John just enough to excite our curiosity. What will heaven be like? To some of us the eschatology of Revelation can be rather daunting. What do all the symbols mean? When and where will these events take place? For sure, if God wanted us to know, He would have been specific, but God delights in surprises.

Besides, the Book of Revelation is not about process, but about the person of Jesus Christ (1:1). John had the enviable privilege of knowing Jesus personally when He walked on earth. Through scripture and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we who have believed and received, also know Jesus personally! Day by day we learn more through His love and power working in and through us. One day we know we will see Him face to face (22:3-4). What a glorious hope! In our scripture today we can picture Jesus coming in glory!

Many years ago I shook hands with a man of fame and fortune. It was such an exciting experience! At the time our future king was visiting Toronto, so some friends and I went to see him. There he was – no halo; just another man. Born into a position of privilege, he had no control over his birth. His mother, our Queen, recognized that reality when she endorsed a book written for her 90th birthday: “The Servant Queen and the King She Serves”.

Compare Prince Charles’ situation with the King of Kings who was not born into a rich household, but rather was born in the humblest of circumstances. Jesus came intentionally to earth, giving up His glory to become a human baby; the control He had over His destiny is amazing (John 10:18). On the other hand, Prince Charles, now King Charles 111, created by God for this moment in history, had no pre-existence and will die at the time appointed by God (Hebrews 9:27).

Jesus is given many names in the book of Revelation. He claimed to be the “Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 1:8, 22:13). He is worshiped as the “Lamb that was slain” (5:9, 12). “Saviour” (7:10), the “Root” of our salvation (22:16). “Shepherd” (7:17). His Kingdom is declared, over which the “Christ…. will reign forever and ever” – eternally (11:15). “Lord God Almighty” (15:3). “The Holy One” (16:5). “Faithful and True” (19:11). Didn’t Jesus say He is “the Truth” (John 14:6)? “The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13, John 1:1). “The bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus, the rider on the white horse wears His ID on His robe “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (19:16). “He will wipe away every tear ….there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”(21:4). Jesus who gained the victory over death (2 Timothy 1:10), will make everything new (Revelation 21:5a).

God speaking through the prophet Isaiah told His people Israel that one day “Before Me every knee will bow” [Kings and Queens, believers and atheists] (Isaiah 45:23). Quoting that verse, Paul specifies all knees in heaven and on earth and under the earth” adding “every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Reflection:

Throughout the uncertainties of human history, many times believers may have thought the time of Jesus’ return was drawing near (Luke 21:28). Even today some are looking towards Jerusalem with that very hope in mind. One day, in God’s perfect timing, Jesus will return. God has always been faithful to His promises and the very fact that we, 2000 years after Jesus walked on earth, have Him in our hearts and lives is proof that He never did/would forsake His own (Matthew 28:20). Hallelujah!

“The Lamb will overcome them [those 10 earthly kings who will give authority to the beast]….because He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 7:12-14).

Devotional

A New Name!

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Revelation 2:17

“There’s a new name written down in glory

And its mine! Oh yes its mine!

And a white-robbed angel tells the story.

A sinner has come home.”

What tremendous joy is expressed in these few words of exultation! What glorious spiritual truth!

First of all, the original state of every human being is acknowledged – we are sinners. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin describes the state of mankind when we have missed the mark created by God’s standard. As a result, something crucial is missing in our lives.

But there is hope! God created every human being with a purpose. His purpose is grounded in His very nature – as we have noted previously, the Bible tells us that He is love (1 John 4:19). The only reason we love God is because He first loved us. There is no room for hate or condemnation in His love. ”God so loved the world [everyone!] that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) .

Part of that glorious hope is the promise Jesus gave to His disciples just before the cross: “Do not let your hearts be troubled…in My Father’s house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you!” (John 14:1-2). For the sinner who has a new name, this will be home – their eternal home… a place of glorious peace and joy. “Nothing impure will ever enter it….. only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27).

When we are born we receive a name, our family name. When we are born again into the family of God we also receive a name. We know that it is a personal name written down in glory, recorded in a unique book to be revealed in heaven, but there is a mystery regarding what it will be.

Jesus gives us a couple of clues. Those who overcome will be given “a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it” (Revelation 2:17). He goes on to promise that “the name of My God and the name of the city of My God” (Revelation 3:12) will be revealed at the same time as my new name! Isn’t it thrilling to know that God loves surprises and is keeping one for us when we arrive home in glory?

I was humbly kneeling at the cross, Fearing naught but God’s angry frown;
When the heavens opened and I saw that my name was written down! 

In the Book ’tis written, “Saved by Grace,” O the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven, and I know by the blood I am made whole! 

Chorus
There’s a new name written down in glory, and it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!
And the white robed angels sing the story, “A sinner has come home.”
For there’s a new name written down in glory, and it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!
With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven, never more to roam.

Reflection:

Is there anything that brings you greater joy than the anticipation of claiming your new name in glory?

That is only one of many blessings, including seeing our precious Saviour face to face. What will that be like?

Think of those you need to share this experience with; may the joy of the Lord give you strength and courage to do so!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Forever Kingdom

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2 Samuel 7:12-16

We are just finishing the Christmas celebrations of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus. This was just the beginning of God’s perfect plan for a kingdom promised long ago in the Old Testament (Psalm 45:6, Daniel 4:2-3). We have seen some of that unfolding over the past two millennium, but for the fulfilment, we still wait. I heard a message recently about waiting. The speaker used David the shepherd-boy-anointed-king as an example. For 14 years he waited for the earthly kingdom he had been promised. Throughout that time he endured intense jealousy and out-right threats to his life from Saul, the existing king.

The first hint of an eternal kingdom was given in the Garden of Eden when, veiled in language Adam and Eve could not possibly have understood, though perhaps the serpent did, God promised enmity between man and the serpent’s offspring. He promised that man would crush the serpent’s head giving the clue as to who would win the battle (Genesis 3:14-15).

Hundreds of years later the nation of Israel became an official kingdom. Rejecting God as their leader they had cried for a king, just as the nations around them had kings. Samuel records the sequence of events which put Saul, then David on the throne (2 Samuel 7:1). God knew this was a temporary arrangement; it would seem that in giving them the desires of their hearts the nation also gained leanness of spirit, as they had in the desert (Psalm 106:13-15).

Since the beginning God revealed Himself as a covenant God. What did that mean? God made promises to man throughout human history, many of which carried with them binding conditions. For example God promised Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth (Genesis 13:16). The condition was belief that Sarah would bear this child (even in her old age). Did God mean what He said? Now at this moment in time God declared to David, through the prophet Nathan, the continuation of that promise “I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body and I will establish His kingdom forever!” (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

As history has shown, the physical kingdom of Israel fell to foreign powers. Was God mistaken? Wrong? Or did we misunderstand the scope of this covenant – something much larger than life, a spiritual covenant? In Samuel’s records the covenant is two-fold, both immediate and future. For example, immediately following David’s death, David’s son Solomon did indeed build the temple (:13). Later Jesus was acclaimed as “Son of David” (Matthew 21:9).

Looking towards the future, let us remember that twice, as was God’s custom, He reiterates the promise “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). Since the advent of Jesus and all that His life revealed to us about the purposes of God, we now understand this to be a Messianic promise, reflecting the faithful love of the Father through Jesus Christ, whose reign is celebrated in Revelation: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13).

Reflection:

Just to summarize – Jesus who is of the tribe of Judah, the Kingly tribe of Israel, still reigns over that promised Kingdom and one day is coming again to earth to establish a millennial reign, according to promise (Revelation 20:6). This earthly reign will preceded the heavenly reign which will last forever and ever: ”The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Will you be part of that “Forever Kingdom”?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

It Doesn’t Matter

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Revelation 9-10

The preacher actually said those words “It Doesn’t Matter”. To what was he referring? His passionate message was serious, actually about – and I quote – “life and death”. Reviewing recent studies in Revelation, he was pointing out the dangers of trying to attach significance to dates, times and places, causing us to lose the thrust of the entire book.

Revelation is not written in chronological order. It is like a picture, giving us different perspectives on the same story. It is the tale of completion – in God’s perfection His seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls present us with God’s judgment. In the midst of it all, God still warns people, calling them to repent, yet they refuse His mercy (Revelation 9:20-21). Revelation is not just about a seven-year period, but rather it is all about the battle between good and evil which has coloured the existence of mankind from the very beginning, when God created all things, and called them good (Genesis 1).

Interwoven into this picture is God’s amazing grace. The end of the story is glorious! We who know Him, whom to know is life eternal (1 John 5:13), will witness the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ who will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15). The Alpha and Omega will sign His painting with a great flourish! “Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). The timing doesn’t matter. Jesus told His followers to be ready – it might happen any day (Matthew 25:13).

Our focus is to be on Him….watching for His return. “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning…..It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when He comes…..even if He comes in the second or third watch of the night!” (Luke 12:35-38). This is what does matter…”The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him” Surprise! Will you and I be watching? (Luke 12:40).

The danger for all people is that our hearts may become hardened to the Word of God. God’s children are not immune. Impacted by cultural norms we may stray away from the Truth, from the path (Way) Jesus laid down as He modelled purity of vision and purpose and practise. Someone said to me the other day “Lots of young people walking with God are living together (outside of marriage). Is this a reality that Christians today accept? Are we alive in Him, who came to give us Life? (John 14:16). We need that relationship to prepare us for the push-back Satan will bring against those who declare their faith. After we taste that the Lord is good, life may turn sour (Revelation 10:9). Our responsibility is to share the truth. Ezekiel was warned that it may not be received well (Ezekiel 3:1-7). Nothing has changed thousands of years later.

The blood of martyrs cries out: “When will the end come?” (Revelation 6:10). God is waiting for every tribe to enjoy the knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, because He is not willing that any should perish. He also must be true to His covenant with Abraham, promising to bless every nation through his descendants (Genesis 12:3). However, the time will come when “there is no more delay” (Revelation 10:6).

Reflection:

Sadly, the pastor noted, the Gospel has become soft, inoffensive, non-confrontational as we try to make it “seeker friendly”. When we read about the need for repentance, do we believe that God means business? Do we doom others to a lost eternity by sharing their terms guided by cultural sensitivity? In an age when “if it feels good, do it” is a norm, are we ready to talk about the lengths to which God has gone to make salvation possible? Sacrifice? Am I prepared to die for my faith? And in the midst of it all we misplace our energy by trying to figure out the symbols God has given to us as hints of things beyond the scope of our imagination. What is it that truly matters?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Doing Battle

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Hebrews 4

In both Old and New Testaments God makes reference to a battle of words. In a Messianic prophecy, speaking about the servant-Messiah, He revealed to Isaiah “He made My mouth like a sharpened sword”. Jesus Himself describes a battle over which He will be victor: “Repent! Otherwise I will soon come to you and fight against them with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:16).

Most humans at some time or another have been wounded by words, whether intentioned or not. Some have referred to this as the pain of the soul, a problem that lasts far longer than physical scars. James describes the tongue as a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It is capable of corrupting the whole person, of setting the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell (3:6). Have you ever been burned by someone’s words?

If the power of the human tongue can do that much damage, then consider what the judgment of Christ’s tongue might look like! Jesus describes it as a two-edged sword (Revelation 2:12). In our scripture reading, the writer of Hebrews is talking about the consequences of unbelief, warning “Today, if you hear His voice [the words of the Gospel] do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). God’s intention is to give His children peace and rest – the whole of this chapter is devoted to that.

However, Satan is very actively engaged in negating the words of God. From the very beginning, as we have noted many times before, he questioned whether or not God really did say certain things. Is God the Creator of peace and justice? Do His laws, decrees, words of wisdom and guidance mean anything to us today? Do we believe He is a perfect and just God, one who knows everything – our motives, our thoughts and deeds?

Why would He not be fair to His children? The greatest battle between good and evil was won at the cross, followed by the miraculous resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The cost of God’s perfect gift of salvation has been fully paid, but Satan still wants you to believe it can be earned. We have been given a full description of this event in words of Holy Scripture. How then is it possible for the wisdom of Satan, or of man to question what God has revealed? Isn’t this the battle of the ages?

Reflection:

Down through time we see the sword of truth “dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The question becomes personal when we ask ourselves, what does God see in our hearts? Do we long for purity and truth, for justice and spiritual integrity? Does the church, or indeed do I bring glory to God by following in the steps of Jesus my Lord? Will I do battle against compromise and overt evil? Has my passion for God grown lukewarm?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Lion of Judah

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Genesis 49

Jacob lay dying. He called for his sons in order to prophecy what would happen to them in days to come. They were a nation displaced from their land. Now the last of Israel’s three great patriarchs would speak to the future!

One by one the sons came to be blessed by their father, Israel. Israel was the name given to Jacob after he wrestled with the angel (Genesis 32:28); it became the corporate name of Jacob’s descendants. Beginning with his firstborn Reuben, Jacob did not hesitate to call those out who had sinned against him. Only two were singled out for significant blessing. Joseph, his long-time favourite, born of his beloved Rachel, used of God to save his family through a raging famine of seven years, Israel recognized had been blessed and used by God Almighty (Genesis 49:24-25). Jacob called Joseph a Prince among his brothers. Given their turbulent family history that must have hurt the others.

But then there was Judah. Fourth son of Leah, Judah meant “praise” and as Jacob predicted, would become a leader among the tribes formed later by each son (:10). We might feel impatient with God’s timing on occasion, but imagine that this prediction did not come true until the time of King David, 640 years later. In actual fact it was not completely fulfilled until the time of Christ.

Jacob predicts Judah, like a lion (:9), will be praised by his brothers. How far reaching was that? Could Jacob possibly have known he was predicting millennial prosperity in verses 11-12? – a time when all nations would fall down in worship before the Lion of Judah! (Revelation 5:5). How thrilling it is to see consistency from beginning to end within the scriptures! It is Jesus to whom John refers when he wrote in Revelation: 

“And one of the elders said unto me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals’ ” (5:5).

“KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). The title proclaimed at the end of time, indicates one with absolute power over all His realm. When Jesus is proclaimed “King of Kings and Lord of Lords,” it will signify the fulfilment of prophecy, the end of all other rulers and the final acknowledgement of His supremacy.

He, Jesus is the Lion of Judah!

In these days of Lent, preparing our hearts for the events of crucifixion, death, and resurrection, let us not forget it is this Lion of Judah whom we worship as the One who rose victorious over the grave to bring us into eternal life! Halleluah!

Reflection:

Do you feel any emotional response when you hear the title “Lion of Judah”? Why or why not?

How would you describe the Lion of Judah using Bible references and then in your own words?

What promise excites you most about the Lion of Judah?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional · Uncategorized

Eschatology

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birds flying over body of water during golden hour
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Revelation 20:2-15, 22:7 & 12

What a big word! Often thrown around in academic circles, what does it mean? Defined by theologians themselves, eschatology is the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul, and of humankind. It is a branch of theology designed to reassure the saints, but unfortunately an emphasis on end time events has often served to confuse them.

Discussion began when Jesus tenderly prepared His disciples for His death. He reassured them there was a purpose in His going away…. He would be preparing a place for them, so that He could return to take them to live with Him forever (John 14:2-3). Between then and now there has been a lot of debate about when and how this will come to pass. Schools of thought within Eschatology question whether Jesus will return before the tribulation or in the middle of it, or even afterwards. That information is veiled, but let us look at what we do know.

  1. Jesus will return (Matthew 16:27, Acts 1:11, Revelation 22:7 & 12).

  2. The dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are alive at His coming will be gathered up to meet them with Jesus, in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

  3. At the end of the tribulation those who did not bow down to worship the beast will reign with Jesus for 1000 years, after Satan and his angels have been locked up and sealed in the Abyss (Revelation 20:2-3).

  4. At the end of the Millennial reign of Christ on earth, the rest of the dead – those who did not believe, will be raised to face judgment (Revelation 20:5, 11-15).

Jesus repeatedly told his disciples they would not know the day nor the hour of His return (Matthew 24:36). His concern was that they/we be watching, that they/we be ready (Matthew 25:13), waiting for our heavenly bridegroom to come.

God must be understood by individuals, and by nations, as the God with a perfect strategy for the end times. Satan has another game plan. If he can deter mankind from spreading the gospel, from reclaiming lives for Jesus’ sake, he will have more followers when the end does come. There is nothing wrong with the study of end times; however when it comes to spending time and energy, one might ask if those would be better expended on winning the lost, before it is too late? Eschatology must demonstrate that the plan of God is relevant to the very end of human history.

Reflection:

Why do you suppose so many people are caught up in the theology of the ends times?

How does this win an argument for Satan’s purposes?