I like that the first word in today's passage (NIV) is "Hallelujah!" which means, Praise God! It feels very appropriate in many ways. I like that the white linen is the good deeds of God's people. When the angel tells John not to worship him but God, I hope that when I am about to make a mistake, an angel will help me understand what I am supposed to do! John tells about the rider on the White Horse (Jesus Christ). Then he tells about the doom of the Beast and the false prophet. Satan is bound for 1000 years and then doomed. The dead are judged. Chapter 21 describes a new heaven and earth or The New Jerusalem. The last chapter of the bible is John's vision of the river of life and conclusion. "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Rev 22:12)
Congratulations!!! We've done it. Thanks to God, I have been profoundly touched by the experience of sitting with the Word every day and attempting to share it in my small way. I hope your life has been enriched as mine has. I consider the Bible to be God's Guide to Life. My biggest goal was to demonstrate that getting into God's word isn't as daunting as it seems - especially if you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. I have only been able to do this by the power of God. Countless times I have sat down, read the passage and panicked because I knew I couldn't write this blog. Then I would pray and ask God for help, because this was about Him, not me. The next thing I knew, I was ready to hit the "publish post" button! God answers prayers! I have been asking God what He would like me to do now, but I haven't understood exactly what that is - yet. God bless you in your life and keep you in His loving embrace. Don't forget how important your good deeds are! "May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone." (Revelation 22:21)
20101230
December 30, 2010 Revelation 14:9-18:24
Chapter 14 continues with the 3rd angel and the harvest of the earth. I don't know much about horses, but blood up to the bridle for 180 miles sounds intense!
Chapter 15 tells of the 7 angels with the 7 plagues.
Chapter 16 tells of the 7 bowls of God's Wrath. I liked knowing that there was a clear and definite limit to God's anger.
Chapter 17 tells of the Doom of Babylon
In chapter 18 Babylon has fallen and lamented. I don't know much about geography either, so I googled on Babylon and learned that Baghdad is right there, in fact, Saddam had rebuilt many of the structures of ancient Babylon.
Tomorrow finish the Bible!
Chapter 15 tells of the 7 angels with the 7 plagues.
Chapter 16 tells of the 7 bowls of God's Wrath. I liked knowing that there was a clear and definite limit to God's anger.
Chapter 17 tells of the Doom of Babylon
In chapter 18 Babylon has fallen and lamented. I don't know much about geography either, so I googled on Babylon and learned that Baghdad is right there, in fact, Saddam had rebuilt many of the structures of ancient Babylon.
Tomorrow finish the Bible!
20101229
December 29, 2010 Revelation 9:12-14:8
Chapter 9 continues with the 6th angel sounding his trumpet. What I make up about this is that I don't want to be an idol worshiper!
Chapter 10 is about the Angel and the little scroll or book.
Chapter 11 reminded me of Ezekiel. The 7th trumpet sounded and wondrous things happened.
Chapter 12 described the Woman - Israel, the Red Dragon - Satan, the Male Child - Christ, and the Angel - Michael.
Chapter 13 tells about the Beast from the Sea, and the Beast out of the Earth.
Chapter 14 begins with the Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion, and the first two of three angels.
Tomorrow read Revelation 14:9-18:24
Chapter 10 is about the Angel and the little scroll or book.
Chapter 11 reminded me of Ezekiel. The 7th trumpet sounded and wondrous things happened.
Chapter 12 described the Woman - Israel, the Red Dragon - Satan, the Male Child - Christ, and the Angel - Michael.
Chapter 13 tells about the Beast from the Sea, and the Beast out of the Earth.
Chapter 14 begins with the Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion, and the first two of three angels.
Tomorrow read Revelation 14:9-18:24
20101228
December 28, 2010 Revelation 5-9:11
In chapter 5, John tells us of the book or scroll with seven seals. In chapter 6 John describes each seal: 1st - The False Christ, 2nd - War, 3rd - Famine, 4th - Death, 5th - Martyrs, 6th - Terror. Chapter 7 offers an interlude. A remnant of Israel of 144,000 people sealed, 12,000 from each tribe.
It is in this chapter that I have found my favorite scripture passage: "'One of the elders asked me, 'Who are these people dressed in white ribes, and where do they come from?' 'I dont' know, sir. You do,' I answered. He said to me, 'These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. That is why they stand before God's throne and serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will protect them with his presence. Never again will they hunger or thirst; neither sun nor any scorching heat will burn them, because the Lamb, who is in the center of the throne, will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'"
In chapter 8 John continues with the 7th seal - the Trumpets. Chapter 9 continues with descriptions from the 5th angel blowing his trumpet and we break after the 11th verse.
Tomorrow read Revelation 9:12-14:8
It is in this chapter that I have found my favorite scripture passage: "'One of the elders asked me, 'Who are these people dressed in white ribes, and where do they come from?' 'I dont' know, sir. You do,' I answered. He said to me, 'These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. That is why they stand before God's throne and serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will protect them with his presence. Never again will they hunger or thirst; neither sun nor any scorching heat will burn them, because the Lamb, who is in the center of the throne, will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'"
In chapter 8 John continues with the 7th seal - the Trumpets. Chapter 9 continues with descriptions from the 5th angel blowing his trumpet and we break after the 11th verse.
Tomorrow read Revelation 9:12-14:8
20101227
December 27, 2010 Jude v17-25; Revelation c1-4
Jude shared his final warnings about the "scoffers" who wanted to persuade others not to follow the gospel. Pray and stay strong and live the way God wants you to. Praise God now and always.
Revelation
At the end of this book it says, "I, John, solemnly warn everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: if anyone adds anything to them, God will add to His punishment the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes anything away from the prophetic words of this book, God will take away from him his share of the fruit of the tree of life and of the Holy City, which are described in this book." (Rev 22:18-19) Once I gave my mother-in-law a bumper sticker that said, "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." I feel responsible for preparing a truthful, thoughtful and considerate description of my experience of reading the bible, including the book of Revelation. My summaries up to this point have both added personal perspectives and skipped over many details. I have prayed a lot for guidance about this, so I am altering my original posts. I hope you don't mind...
In chapter 1, we read that this is the revelation of Jesus Christ. It starts with the message to the seven churches in Asia as unveiled to John while in prison on the island of Patmos. The Holy Spirit took control of him and told him to write down what he saw and send the book to the seven churches listed. So he did. Chapter 2 gives specific instructions to each of the churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. Chapter 3 continues with the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. These chapters demonstrate God's omniscience (knowing everything). In chapter 4 the vision gets really awesome! It reminded me of the visions of Ezekiel.
Tomorrow read Revelation 5-9:11
Revelation
At the end of this book it says, "I, John, solemnly warn everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: if anyone adds anything to them, God will add to His punishment the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes anything away from the prophetic words of this book, God will take away from him his share of the fruit of the tree of life and of the Holy City, which are described in this book." (Rev 22:18-19) Once I gave my mother-in-law a bumper sticker that said, "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." I feel responsible for preparing a truthful, thoughtful and considerate description of my experience of reading the bible, including the book of Revelation. My summaries up to this point have both added personal perspectives and skipped over many details. I have prayed a lot for guidance about this, so I am altering my original posts. I hope you don't mind...
In chapter 1, we read that this is the revelation of Jesus Christ. It starts with the message to the seven churches in Asia as unveiled to John while in prison on the island of Patmos. The Holy Spirit took control of him and told him to write down what he saw and send the book to the seven churches listed. So he did. Chapter 2 gives specific instructions to each of the churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. Chapter 3 continues with the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. These chapters demonstrate God's omniscience (knowing everything). In chapter 4 the vision gets really awesome! It reminded me of the visions of Ezekiel.
Tomorrow read Revelation 5-9:11
20101226
Dec 26, 2010 1John3:13-end;2&3 John;Jude v1-16
Don't be surprised if worldly people hate you. If you don't love each other, you are still under the power of death. We know what love is because Jesus gave His life for us. That's why we must give our lives for each other. You show your love by helping others, not just talking about it. God wants us to have faith in His Son Jesus Christ and to love each other. If we obey God's commandments we will be in Him and He will be in us. The Spirit is proof that we are one with Him.
Anyone who denies that Jesus lived on the earth is a false teacher. The world listens to these false teachers, they don't come from God. We must love each other. Anyone who doesn't love others has never known God. Real love isn't our love for God, it is His love for us. God sent His Son Jesus as a sacrifice to save us, that is real love. God is love.
If we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, we are God's children. If we love God, we love His children. God gave us eternal life that comes to us through His Son. When we do God's will, he hears and answers our prayers.
2John
This letter is addressed to a very special woman and her children. Scholars believe this to be a church and congregation. The purpose of the letter was to tell them to love each other. There are liars in the world saying that Jesus didn't have a human body. Don't believe their lies. Believe what you were taught about Christ and He and His Father will be with you. Pay no attention to the lies other people tell.
3John
This letter was from John to a man named Gaius. John was happy to tell him that people would come by and tell him that Gaius obeyed the truth. John complimented Gaius on the way he conducted himself with other believers, helping them to do mission work. John was aware of a guy named Diotrephes who wasn't being nice. He also mentioned a person named Demetrius who was doing good things for the people. John looked forward to a personal conversation with Gaius.
Jude
Jude identified himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. His letter was addressed to a wide audience of believers. Jude wanted to write about God's work in our lives, but instead, he was compelled to discuss the false teachers and the lies they were trying to get people to believe. They were telling people that it was ok to be immoral and not to follow the commandments. These people don't know what they are talking about; they are useless, pointless people. Enoch talked about these people when he said they would be punished by God. "These people are always grumbling and blaming others, they follow their own evil desires; they brag about themselves and flatter others in order to get their own way." (Jude v16)
Tomorrow read Jude v17-25 & Revelation 1-4
Anyone who denies that Jesus lived on the earth is a false teacher. The world listens to these false teachers, they don't come from God. We must love each other. Anyone who doesn't love others has never known God. Real love isn't our love for God, it is His love for us. God sent His Son Jesus as a sacrifice to save us, that is real love. God is love.
If we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, we are God's children. If we love God, we love His children. God gave us eternal life that comes to us through His Son. When we do God's will, he hears and answers our prayers.
2John
This letter is addressed to a very special woman and her children. Scholars believe this to be a church and congregation. The purpose of the letter was to tell them to love each other. There are liars in the world saying that Jesus didn't have a human body. Don't believe their lies. Believe what you were taught about Christ and He and His Father will be with you. Pay no attention to the lies other people tell.
3John
This letter was from John to a man named Gaius. John was happy to tell him that people would come by and tell him that Gaius obeyed the truth. John complimented Gaius on the way he conducted himself with other believers, helping them to do mission work. John was aware of a guy named Diotrephes who wasn't being nice. He also mentioned a person named Demetrius who was doing good things for the people. John looked forward to a personal conversation with Gaius.
Jude
Jude identified himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. His letter was addressed to a wide audience of believers. Jude wanted to write about God's work in our lives, but instead, he was compelled to discuss the false teachers and the lies they were trying to get people to believe. They were telling people that it was ok to be immoral and not to follow the commandments. These people don't know what they are talking about; they are useless, pointless people. Enoch talked about these people when he said they would be punished by God. "These people are always grumbling and blaming others, they follow their own evil desires; they brag about themselves and flatter others in order to get their own way." (Jude v16)
Tomorrow read Jude v17-25 & Revelation 1-4
20101225
December 25, 2010 2Peter 3 & 1John 1-3:12
Merry Christmas! I painted this mural in the hallway in my church in 2008.
Peter intended his second letter to provoke us to examine our lives honestly to find where we can do better in our walk with Christ. In the last days people will want to believe it IS all about them. They will think the Lord isn't coming back because it hasn't happened. What they fail to realize is that God's perspective of time is vastly different from ours. We should honor God by the way we live. God is patient because He wants people to be saved. Some people twist the scriptures to suit themselves. Believers praise Jesus now and forever!
1John
John wrote to counter the false teachings being heard in his day with truth. The Word was real, they heard it, saw it and touched it themselves. They announced this to let people know that the fellowship they had with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ was true. God is light. The blood of Christ purifies us from our sins. If we don't think we have any sin we are fooling ourselves. We need to confess that we aren't perfect, and seek God's forgiveness.
Try not to sin, but if you do, remember that we have Jesus Christ who will plead to the Father on our behalf and take our sin away. Whoever is living in union with God should live just like Jesus Christ did. If you love your fellow man, you walk in the light. If not, then you walk in darkness. Either you love the world or you love the God. If you do God's will, you will live forever. Anyone who says Jesus was not the Christ or Messiah rejects not only Jesus, but God as well. Through the Spirit you will be taught everything God wants you to know. Everyone who does what is right is God's child.
God loves us so much that he calls us His children. The world does not know God. When we sin, we fail to obey God's Law. When we live in union with Christ we seek a different life. Christ came to destroy what the devil had done. The message we heard from the beginning is to love one another.
Tomorrow read 1John3:13-end; 2&3John; Jude 1:1-16
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