Today’s Reading: Genesis 4-5, Psalm 37

“With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man.” – Genesis 4:1b

Eve gave birth to a son and her response was to recognize the wonderful gift God had given her – the blessing to have another life growing inside of her. When given the opportunity to give a gift to the Lord, that son who was now a man did not respond with the same heart of gratitude as his mother. He chose not to give his best to the Lord. His younger brother, Abel, gave the best he had to offer and God was pleased with his gift, while Cain sulked in anger at God’s less enthusiastic response to his half-hearted effort.

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” – Genesis 4:6-7

Often we make the choice of giving God less than He deserves from us. When things do not go as we want them to go, we get angry with God and wonder why He is not meeting our need to be recognized or fulfilled. We live as though God exists to reward our small contribution or to rain down His blessings on us instead of living life for the purpose of glorifying God every day.

God warned Cain that his anger was inviting sin to come and control him. He commanded Cain to subdue the sinful anger and stay in control, but Cain chose to wrap himself in self-pity. In response to his jealousy of Abel’s choice to do what was right, Cain did what was wrong – he killed his brother.

Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother?”
“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” – Genesis 4:9

Cain was given the choice to willingly do what is right or to refuse to do the right thing. He chose the latter and God punished him for his sins. When confronted with his sin, Cain could have humbly chosen confession and repentance; instead, he chose anger again. Sin began to control Cain and God punished him for his selfish behavior. Not only did Cain have to leave his home and his family, he had to leave God’s presence.

Father God, thank you for the grace that allows me to spend time in your presence this morning. With a humble heart, I confess to you the moments when I have allowed jealousy and self-pity to creep into my thoughts, like old friends willing to help me justify my poor attitude. Thank you for the reminder to live a life that focuses on pleasing you instead of pleasing myself. Give me a heart of generosity towards you and towards those you would like to minister to through my life.

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. – Psalm 37:8-9

Today’s Reading: Genesis 2-3, Psalm 16

GOD RESTED

On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. – Genesis 2:2-3

I love Sundays! It is a wonderful day to rest from work and allow God to restore me for His purposes. I find it helpful to pull away from the stress and get re-centered. It is a great opportunity to look back on where God has brought me from and rest in the knowledge that He has been extremely good to me. Reading through the story of creation is a great reminder of the importance of sabbatical moments. What a gift God gives us when He calls us to be intentional with how we end each week.

With the need to rest, comes the need to sleep. Consider the gift of sleep and how God provides for us while we are laying still. It was while Adam was sleeping that God provided a companion for him. It is in our moments of stillness and rest that God often communicates with us, giving us clarity of thought and restoring us for what lies ahead.

GOD PROVIDED

God provided companionship for Adam and gave him a beautiful place to live — a place where God Himself would walk. God called man to reign over all He had created and to watch over it, but He told him not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan desired to take all that God had provided and convince Eve that it was not enough, and that is exactly what he did.

The serpent convinced Eve that she needed what God had not provided, that she deserved more. Eve had the opportunity to rest in God’s provision and follow His instructions, yet she chose to find beauty in what she could not have. Adam and Eve learned the lesson that there is no lasting joy in stepping away from God’s plan and they suffered the consequences of their sin.

GOD CONFRONTED

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” – Genesis 3:9

In this moment, God was not asking for their physical location. He knew the exact place Adam and Eve were hiding. Perhaps God was asking them where they were spiritually. Now that they had failed to obey, now that they had sinned, Adam and Eve needed to figure out where they were with God.

Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” – Genesis 3:13a

GOD PUNISHED

Sin — to know what you ought to do but choose not to do it. Sin — to choose to do what God has made clear you are not allowed to do. One of the first lessons we can learn from the Bible is that God is a holy God who punishes us when we disobey. He has a beautiful life planned for us and we miss out on that plan when we willfully choose to follow our own sinful desires instead of walking in companionship with Him.

Father God, we thank you for making your plan for our life clear to us. Thank you for calling us to walk with you, following the instructions you have clearly laid out for us in your word. We thank you for your provision and for your restoration as we make it a priority to spend time each day in your presence. May our focus remain on you as we find beauty in what you have for us.

I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. – Psalm 16:7-11

Today’s Reading: Genesis 1, Psalm 104

I think that beginnings are my favorite. I love the first chapter of a new book, the first page of an empty journal and the first hour of every day. I love newborn babies, sunrises on the beach and the first sip of a hot cup of coffee. And this morning, as I open up to the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis, I look forward to what is ahead. This is a new page of a new chapter, the opportunity to write a new story in our walk with God.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. – Genesis 1:1-2

In December of 2018, our family climbed aboard a boat before sunrise and ventured out into the Pacific Ocean in hopes of seeing humpback whales. The sky was dark and the ocean was peaceful. I was reminded of the beauty of creation and the power of our Creator. God was present. As the sun began to peek over the mountain and cast its glow across the water, I thanked God for His presence in this world and the evidence of His hand at work in all I could see and hear.

I am reminded of that early morning boat ride as I read the first chapter of Genesis. I try to imagine what it was like when darkness covered the deep waters. I consider the relationship of the Trinity as the Spirit hovered over the surface of the water, God spoke the world into existence, and the Word gave life to everything that was created. The harmony of Creation is a beautiful thing to consider.

Have you ever considered that the world was created through the act of separation. God separated the light from the darkness, which created what we know as day and night. He separated the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth, creating the sky. When God separated the waters of the earth, He created land and sea; when He separated the lights in the sky, He created a cadence of days, seasons and years. He created the animals giving some the sea to swim, others the land to roam and others He gave the sky as their playground. God created by separating.

The last eight weeks have been a unique time of separation across the earth. Families have been asked to stay home, businesses have closed their doors, and flights have been canceled. Hugs have been replaced with emojis and isolation has become the new norm. In the midst of the pandemic of 2020, God is creating. He is using this separation to give us new insight; He is using this interruption to realign our priorities.

God is daily creating us to be who He wants us to be, yet we also daily experience a separation that sin in this world causes between creation and its Creator. I find peace in imagining God’s Spirit hovering over creation just as I find peace in the knowledge that He is present in my life, hovering over and around me each day. Each day is a mixture of feeling the separation that exists until Jesus comes again, while also feeling the closeness of His involvement in my life. Separate, yet together. Distant, yet close.

Father God, thank you for sending your Spirit to be with us. I praise you for the beauty of your creation. I trust that this time of separation from you has purpose; I trust this time of separation from each other brings revival. Please continue to mold me and shape me for your perfect plan. Lord, I pray that you will be glorified in my life. I pray that you will be pleased with my daily walk and that you will be present each morning as I soak in your scriptures.

May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made! The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his touch. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord…Let all that I am praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! – Psalm 104:31-35

Today’s Reading: Revelation 21 – 22

As we arrive at the last 2 chapters of Revelation, we come to some of my favorite verses — the beautiful description of what it will be like when the presence of evil and sin are removed and Christ reigns victoriously! Can you picture it? I encourage you to read the following verses aloud and let the joy of these truths wash over you.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever!”

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!…It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” – Rev. 21:1-7

The God of Creation, who existed before the world began and has always existed, is also the God of the end of life as we know it and the God of everything in between. He has plans for our life we cannot fathom and He has a new heaven waiting for us that is beyond what words can describe.

The New Jerusalem will shine with the glory of God and sparkle like a precious stone. The city walls are made of jasper and the city of pure gold, as clear as glass. There will be beautiful stones of various colors making up the foundation of the city and the gates will be made of pearls. The main street going through the New Jerusalem will be made of pure gold. Let’s listen to John’s description:

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of the day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty – but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. – Rev. 21:22-27

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there – no need for lamps or sun – for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. – Rev. 22:1-5

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” – Rev. 22:7

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” – Rev. 22:12

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. – Rev. 22:17

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. – Rev. 22:20-21

Thank you for joining me on this chronological journey through the Bible. I pray God blesses you richly as you continue to daily spend time in His presence. Tomorrow I will start back in Genesis with daily readings that will help me read through the Bible in the coming year. The timing should work out to study the life of Christ from December to Easter.

I would love for you to join me for another journey through the scriptures. Each morning, I will start my day with a hot cup of my morning coffee and time in the presence of my Savior. I am asking God once more to make His word alive and fresh, giving me new insights into familiar scriptures. Feel free to join me as we ask God to deepen our understanding of who He is and who He has created us to be.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 20

Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. – Rev. 20:1-6

There is little information on what the 1000 years will look like and much disagreement among believers on the order in which all of this will take place. What we can take from this passage for certain is that God rewards those who remain faithful during even the worst of persecutions and trials. The difficult times we endure do not go unnoticed by God, nor are they forgotten. In the same way, those who do evil and who do not remain faithful are also noticed by God.

When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. He will go out to deceive the nations – called Gog and Magog – in every corner of the earth. He will gather together for battle – a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20:7-15

We serve a just God who deals accordingly with sin. Those who remain rebellious and unrepentant will suffer the consequences of their choices. Rebellion against God does not go unnoticed. God deals sternly with sin. Those who reject what Christ did for them when he died on the cross so they could receive salvation will experience another kind of rejection on the day of final judgment. Those who want to share in everything this world and Satan have to offer will also share the same fate – the eternal lake of fire.

Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone who has ears should listen and understand. – Matthew 13:40-43

He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. – Romans 2:7-8

This describes so many of our loved ones who are living for themselves, refusing to obey the truth laid out for them in God’s word. Do we think about their fate? Do we avoid tough conversations? It is uncomfortable to confront sin, but God also calls us to speak the truth in love. If we truly love them, we will pray the Spirit will lead us into opportunities to point them back to the light and away from the deceit of darkness. Let’s pray for God-appointed opportunities and Spirit-led conversations.

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? – James 2:14

Revelation has always been a difficult book for me to study but I have never doubted the truth in its words. I do not have a full understanding of what the final days will look like but I do have faith that God will do exactly what He said He will do.

Thank you for all who have journeyed with me from Genesis to Revelation over the last 16 months. In 2 days, I will begin another walk through the Bible. I invite you to join me again. I am asking God to give me a new perspective as I study His word. Whether you choose to go back to Genesis with me or not, I encourage you to continue to spend time in God’s word everyday. Allow His presence to do a work in your heart as He speaks to you through His written Word.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 19

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. – Revelation 19:11-13

We are SO blessed to serve a God described as Faithful and True. That has absolutely been my experience in 2020, during the good times and bad. He is fair and He wages a righteous war. He is indescribable and bigger than we can ever completely understand. His robe is dipped in blood and Isaiah helps us understand why.

Why are your clothes so red, as if you have been treading out grapes?
“I have been treading the winepress alone; no one was there to help me.
In my anger I have trampled my enemies as if they were grapes.
In my fury I have trampled my foes.
Their blood has stained my clothes.” – Isaiah 63:2-3

He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. – Revelation 19:13b

John was the disciple who opened up his account of the life of Jesus with a description of Christ as “The Word”, which adds to the personal significance of this moment for John.

In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. – John 1:1-5

The armies of heaven, dressed in finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. – Rev. 19:14-16

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. – Hebrews 4:12-13

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast – miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies. – Rev. 19:19-21

Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. – 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon – that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan – and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. – Rev. 20:1-3a

I love the visual descriptions of the beauty John saw in his revelation, but the harshness of the judgments and plagues are unpleasant to even consider. Yet in the midst of all the descriptions of evil unleashed, I love that it ends with the glorious victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how dark things get, darkness can NEVER extinguish the light. Christ has already won the victory and the day is coming when evil will be bound and locked up. Praise God!

In the meantime, I pray for those who are currently being deceived. I pray for those who are choosing to enjoy the pleasures of this world instead of believing in the truth and walking in the light. For them, I pray this morning. I pray they will love and accept the truth that can save them. My prayer is that they will come to know our God who is Faithful and True.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 16 – 18

Judgment is not an easy topic to study. As I read through these chapters of Revelation, I look for ways to apply it to my life today.

The graphic descriptions of the harsh judgment that will be poured out on the earth and on those who have the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue make me cringe. God’s Temple, His Tabernacle, has been thrown wide open. He is no longer holding back His judgment because He is both a just God and a Holy God (Rev. 15:5; 16:5).

And I heard a voice from the altar, saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, your judgments are true and just.” – Revelation 16:7

The world tries to entice us with all it has to offer. Society tries to pull us into a new concept of what is socially acceptable and moral. The enemy tries to tempt us to leave our life of righteous living to experience “the fun life”. But if we choose to experience all this world is bribing us with, if we choose to share in all it has to offer, we will also share in the judgment that will come down on the earth.

One of the seven angels who had poured the seven bowls came over and spoke to me. “Come with me,” he said, “and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality.” – Rev. 17:1-2

This world tries its best to appear beautiful, like the woman described in the next verse: The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality (17:4). Today’s culture portrays this as the good life, but in reality it is grotesque and cruel and uncaring. Those who drink of her passionate immorality and those who have committed adultery with her will fall with her.

But there is a song coming from heaven – a song calling all to flee from the sins of this world and the glory of its riches:

“Come away from her, my people.
Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her.
For her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God remembers her evil deeds.
Do to her as she has done to others.
Double her penalty for all her evil deeds.
She brewed a cup of terror for others, so brew twice as much for her.
She glorified herself and lived in luxury, so match it now with torment and sorrow.
She boasted in her heart, ‘I am queen on my throne.
I am no helpless widow, and I have no reason to mourn.’
Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day – death and mourning and famine.
She will be completely consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.” – Rev. 18:4-8

The world with all of its riches tries to make itself appear so pleasing and wonderful, but it is evil and cares nothing for those who get trapped by its pleasures. The world invites us to sit at its banquet tables but there is another banquet table worth turning down the indulgences of the world for. I long to sit at the wedding feast of the Lamb and hear a voice from the throne say,

“Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”

Then I heard again what sounded like a shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:

“Praise the Lord!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.
She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”
For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. – Rev. 19:5-8

Lord, thank you for showing us the beauty of ALL you have to offer us. The treasures of this world pale in comparison to YOU. Lord show us what you have next for us. Reveal to us the good deeds you want to accomplish through us and ignite a fire in us that draws others TO you and away from the world. Praise the Lord, for the Lord our God reigns. Let us experience His joy and rejoice in all He has done for us, giving honor to the Lamb of God! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Revelation 14 – 15

As John’s Revelation continued, I wonder if he remembered back to a day when he sat by the lake with Jesus. A large crowd gathered around Jesus – so large that Jesus got into a boat and began to teach the people as they stood on the shore. He spoke in parables, first of a farmer planting and then of a harvest that comes at the end of the world.

The first parable is one of my favorites. The farmer planted seed in his field and some fell on the footpath where birds came and ate it. Other seeds fell on soil so shallow that the seeds were unable to grow deep roots and they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a great harvest.

“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” – Matthew 13:9

The seed on the footpath represents those who hear but don’t understand. The seed on shallow soil represents those who hear the message, receiving it with joy, but never grow deep roots. They fall away as soon as problems or persecution comes. The seed among thorns represents those who hear God’s word but the message is crowded out by the worries of life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of righteousness. Then Jesus told this parable:

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.

‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’” – Matthew 13:24-30

Perhaps John was the disciple who spoke up later, after the crowds had left, and asked Jesus to explain the parable.

“The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.

“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” – Matthew 13:37-43

I wonder if the memory of this day came back to John as he stood before the throne and watched the Son of Man seated on a white cloud – a crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. An angel came from the Temple and shouted:

“Swing the sickle, for the time of harvest has come; the crop on earth is ripe.” So the one sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the whole earth was harvested.

After that, another angel came from the Temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel, who had power to destroy with fire, came from the altar. He shouted to the angel with the sharp sickle, “Swing your sickle now to gather the clusters of grapes from the vines of the earth, for they are ripe for judgment.” So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and loaded the grapes into the great winepress outside the city, and the blood flowed from the winepress in a stream about 180 miles long and as high as a horse’s bridle. – Revelation 14:15-20

Then all the people who had been victorious over the beast held harps and sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.” – Revelation 15:3-4

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” – Rev. 3:22

Today’s Reading: Revelation 10 – 13

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison.
Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. – Revelation 13:10b

What took place next during John’s Revelation is like something you would expect to see in a science fiction movie. I imagine it was hard for John to put down in writing all that took place. Perhaps this is why God commanded John to eat the scroll. By internalizing God’s message, John was able to communicate all that he saw.

Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance… – Rev. 12:1a

A pregnant woman with a crown of twelve stars on her head was crying out in labor pains and agony as she gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. A large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and with seven crowns on his head stood in front of her, ready to devour the baby as soon as it was born. But the child was snatched away and caught up to God and His throne.

Next a war broke out in heaven — Michael and his angels against the dragon and his angels. The dragon lost the battle and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. Satan’s attempts to destroy the child born out of Israel were unsuccessful as Jesus was resurrected from the dead and taken up to heaven. The one who was deceiving the whole world was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

It has come at last – salvation and power
and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth –
the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.
And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
Therefore, rejoice, O heavens!
And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!
But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.” – Revelation 12:10-12

This explains why Satan pursues God’s people. He has lost the battle and now, in anger, seeks to destroy God’s people. He has waged war against the woman and against the rest of her children – all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus (12:17).

Next a hideous beast arose from the sea. The dragon gave the beast his own power, his own throne and great authority. The beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God and was given authority to do whatever he wanted for 42 months. The beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And all the people who belonged to the world worshiped the beast.

Then a second beast came up out of the earth performing miracles that deceived all the people who belong to this world. The beast commanded the people to make a statue of the first beast then commanded all the people to worship the statue, which had come to life and now had the ability to speak. The people were given a mark on their right hand or forehead – the mark of the beast (13:17).

Then John saw the lamb standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name on their foreheads. They had kept themselves pure and had been purchased as a special offering to God and to the Lamb. Then the angels proclaimed to all the people of the earth to fear God and worship Him only. They foretold the destruction of Babylon for forcing the nations to drink of her passionate immorality. Those who have the mark of the beast will drink of God’s anger and they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur forever and ever (14:1-11).

This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” – Rev. 14:12-13

I look around at everything happening in the world and I ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” John’s Revelation holds the answer. For a time the defeated Satan is allowed to unleash his anger on God’s people. God cares for His people and provides escape for them at times (12:6,14), but we live with the understanding that we must endure persecution patiently, maintaining our faith in God at all times. And for this allegiance to Jesus, we will be blessed and there will be rest. And we hold this promise from God:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Today’s Reading: Revelation 8 – 9

In those days people will seek death but will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them. – Revelation 9:6

The next four chapters of Revelation describe seven judgments that will take place on the earth and in the sky. Each time one of the seven angels stands before God and blows their trumpet, another horrible event takes place. Hail and fire fall down to the earth, burning trees and grass. A mountain of fire falls into the sea, killing one-third of all things living in the sea and destroying one-third of the ships. A great star falls on one-third of the rivers and the water turns bitter. One-third of the sun, moon and stars go dark and terror spreads across the earth.

Locusts the size of horses prepare for battle, stinging all who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The sixth trumpet blew and 200 million mounted troops were released to kill one-third of the people on the earth, breathing plagues of fire and smoke and burning sulfur.

But the people who did not die in these plagues STILL REFUSED TO REPENT of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood – idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts. – Revelation 9:20-21

Just like we often see today, people experiencing difficulties and extremely hard times have a choice. They can run from God or run to Him. They can hide from Him or trust in Him. They can admit their sin or choose death.

God has made it clear in His scriptures that sin is wrong and judgment is coming, yet so many people refuse to repent and accept God’s grace. Those who reject God’s grace will receive God’s judgment. It is inevitable. In the meantime, God is waiting patiently for His people to repent. He continues to extend His grace and offer forgiveness for those who will accept it.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

Another mighty angel came down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud with a rainbow over his head – the symbol of God’s promise. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. He said, “There will be no more delay. When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as He announced it to his servants the prophets.” – Rev. 10:6b-7

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting from heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”

The 24 elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. And they said,
“We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was,
for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.
The nations were filled with wrath and now the time of your wrath has come.
It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets,
as well as your holy people, all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest.
It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”

Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of the Covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm. – Revelation 11:15-19

There will be judgment and there will be reward. There is no need to fear the terror that is ahead when we are walking in the light of our salvation. Father God, we thank you for the peace you give us as we read about the judgment that is to come; we thank you for the assurance that our faith in you leads to the promise of salvation. May we always find the darkness of this world appalling and the light of Jesus Christ appealing. May others find their way to you because of the love we display and the faith by which we live.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” – John 3:16-21