with devotion: REVELATION

Showing posts with label REVELATION. Show all posts

omega

I am coming soon! … I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. [Revelation 22:12,13 NIV]

Before the earth existed, Jesus was. When it no longer exists, Jesus will be. This describes the eternal nature of the Lord. He exists outside of time. In that sense the words 'beginning' and 'end' are really not sufficient to describe him. Perhaps the idea of a timeless being is too hard to grasp?

I love that Jesus is known as the Omega. All things end with him. Yet, for a time Jesus laid aside timelessness and entered into time. He laid aside immortality for mortality. He became a human to show us the very nature and character of God. In that sense, he is the End. The goal of humankind.

The promise for those who have been transformed is timelessness. As each of these die, Jesus proverbially comes for them that they might live with him in a heavenly dimension where there is no end. Jesus is the omega of this life and the alpha of the one to come.

Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus.

... this devotion is part of the z2a bible words series.

testimony

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. [Revelation 12:11 MEV]

Overcomers overcome. Witnesses witness. Lovers love. In that sense, our lives are a testimony to who we are. For sure, our lives are not perfect. Our testimony is fallible. Like the apostle we sometimes do what we do not want to do. Yet the truth remains. Our lives testify to who we are.

Our lives are filled with temptations to act in ways that are contrary to who we are on the inside. It is so easy to succumb to our lusts. Or fall prey to dark desires. In such times we remember the blood of the Lamb. The one who testified of God's grace as he shed divine blood.

Jesus taught us how overcome evil with good. Unlike the heroes on the silver screen he did not fight back in the flesh but trusted his Father to fight for him. His testimony seemed to be one of defeat. He did not love his life unto death. His testimony was not of defeat but of trust.

Jesus challenges me today to testify of such trust. Will I allow my cross to overcome me or will I pick it up and overcome? Will my life testify of trusting in God? Or will it be one of how I have, in futility, leaned on my own understanding? Our lives testify to who we are trusting in.

Lord. Please help my life to be a testimony of trusting you even in the face of death.

... this devotion is part of the z2a bible words series.

the disappearing dimension

I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth disappeared, and the sea vanished. ... I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God's home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them. [Revelation 21:1,3 GNT]

Revelation is filled with imagery that indicates a desire to make God in our own image. I think that this is normal. Really. Who can understand, back then or now, what it means for God to live among us. When John writes that God's home is with us, he is really saying that our home is with God.

It is a subtle shift of language but an important one. When we each pass from this earthly dimension we will begin to experience one that is so different. Time will not exist. Neither will darkness. We will have no need to sleep. And God will be with each of us in a very different way.

For the believer, this truth is a revelation of hope fulfilled. A dimension of pain and poverty will disappear. It will give way to a dimension of majestic beauty and outrageous love. Words and language do not exist to describe such a place. Yet such a dimension exists in each of our hearts.

Dear Lord. In hard times help me to remember the place that you are preparing for me.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the book of life

All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. [Revelation 13:8 NIV]

I once heard the phrase: 'you are what you worship'. I think that is true. In a sense worship is all about life priorities. You spend your time, money and energies doing the things that are most important to you. Jesus put it this way: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth ... store up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

When one is born from above they receive a new heart filled with new priorities. Pleasing God becomes central in their lives. Love becomes their modus operandi. The focus of their lives becomes storing up heavenly treasure instead of the earthly variety. They have a new life reflective of being in the Lamb’s book of life. A new life filled with worshiping God and making his work their priority.

Awaken our hearts Lord that we might become more like you today.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the silence of the damned

Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Anointed One have come. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who relentlessly accuses them day and night before our God, has been cast down and silenced. [Revelation 12:10 VOICE]

We live in a culture of guilt and shame. So many accusers believing the worst about us. Spewing hatred and lies they tempt us to join them in accusing. These who elevate themselves by accusing others seem to be children of the one who is damned. These keep others down when they fall.

This verse tells us that such ones will be silenced when salvation comes. Transformed brothers and sisters no longer shame and accuse. Those who have been born from above will silence accusations with encouraging and affirming words. Such is the way of the kingdom of our God.

Fill us with love Lord. That we might silence those who accuse our brothers and sisters.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

revelation as a satirical poem

The dragon became angry ... and went away to do battle against ... the ones who keep God’s commandments and hold on to the testimony about Jesus. [Revelation 12:17 ISV]

I recently read about a different way to read the book of Revelation. The view sees it as a satirical poem targeted at those who worshipped Domitian, the Roman emperor from 81 to 96. John's apocalyptic story seems to track with some of the events of Domitian's reign. The emperor regularly began his speeches commending his followers for what they were doing right and rebuking for what they did wrong. He demanded his subjects to worshipfully chant 'you are lord' in his presence. John's writing seem to be a direct mockery, rebuttal and condemnation of Domitian's reign and claim of being a god.

Yet Revelation is much more than satire. In it Jesus is revealed as King of kings and Lord of lords. Rulers like Domitian, and their claims of divinity, are put in perspective. John writes to us of a King that subverts the plans of despots and tyrants. A Lord who considers the cries and prayers of people who suffer at the hands of malevolent dictators. John tells us of a time when all will be made right and divine justice will prevail. The book of Revelation speaks to the worst and best of humanity. Of people who bow down to oppressors. And ones who do not bow when faced with death.

I find John's story to be a fitting and beautiful end to, and summation of, the bible.

Help us Lord to keep your commandments and hold fast to our testimony about Jesus.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

they did not love their lives

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even in the face of death. [Revelation 12:11 TLV]

I love how this verse likens the way that the saints overcame to the way that Jesus overcame. It reminds me of the time when Jesus taught his disciples that to be his followers they must deny what they want and do what God wants. To find your life you must first lose it. It is a kingdom principle.

The word testimony speaks to me about the power of our words when they are validated by our actions. In reality people testify to what they actually know by experience. If they know a loving God they will, most likely, be a loving person. If their image of God is not loving then they may not love.

Yet sometimes our new hearts are simply not strong enough to testify to the love of God. Those times help us to realize the importance of nourishing, exercising and strengthening our hearts. That we might overcome our earthly desires and our love of earthly things. To lose that we might gain.

Thank you Lord for the example that you have given us. May our lives testify to that example.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the kingdom of the heart

The seventh Angel trumpeted. A crescendo of voices in Heaven sang out, The kingdom of the world is now the Kingdom of our God and his Messiah! He will rule forever and ever! [Revelation 11:15 MSG]

This verse speaks to me of two kingdoms at odds with each other. One is ruled by earthly flesh and one by heavenly spirit. My heart groans for the day when this worldly kingdom is engulfed by the divine kingdom. I join my voice with those in heaven as I patiently wait for that day.

Until that day I believe that we can, day by day, usher in the reign of God. One heart at a time. One action at a time. One prayer at a time. In reality, for those who have been born from above, the divine kingdom has already come. These have hearts that are a part of the heavenly kingdom.

Help us Lord to, with our hearts, live out your kingdom.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the prophetic heart

The seven thunders told me, “Again you must speak what God has revealed in front of many people, nations, languages, and kings.” [Revelation 10:11 NOG]

Spiritually speaking, I grew up in an atmosphere of charismatic prophetic revelation. Many people, including myself, spoke prophetic words at church. In retrospect it was a surreal experience. I have mixed feelings about those days. The words that I spoke were sometimes divinely inspired.

These days I think that prophecy is probably best expressed in the context everyday life. The verse indicates that we should "speak what God has revealed" to us. I love that! God has revealed many things to us. In our conversations with friends we can share those revelations with them.

In reality, prophecy is not something that is revealed to our brain but to our new heart. Our new, born again, heart is prophetic. When we speak from the new heart we are communicating prophetically. So the issue for us becomes disciplining ourselves to speak from our prophetic heart.

Help me Lord to nourish and exercise my heart that it will become strong.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

my new heart gave me a new perspective

The people who survived these plagues still did not turn to me ... [Revelation 9:20 GW]

Trials, troubles and suffering are an odd phenomenon. For some they cause a turning to God. For others they have the opposite effect. I can relate to both. Here is a bit of my story.

I was 22 and newly married when my young wife went blind. She was blind for over three years. Though I was raised in the church, I really do not ever remember turning to God in prayer. Instead I turned to booze. It helped to numb the pain and the disappointment of Ellen's blindness.

Three years later God came into Ellen's life and healed one of her eyes. Our lives began to dramatically change with the return of her eyesight. My life changed the following year as I submitted my life to Jesus. As I turned to God I began to get a new perspective on past pains.

Fast forward fourteen years. Ellen had heart and kidney failure that took her life four years later. During that time, and in the years since, I have found it so helpful to turn to God. To release my pain to him. To cast my cares towards him in prayer. My new heart gave me a new perspective.

Open the eyes of our hearts Lord that we might turn to you when things go wrong.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the importance of prayer

The smoke from the incense went up from the angel’s hand to God along with the prayers of God’s people. The angel took the incense burner, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it on the earth. Then there was thunder, noise, lightning, and an earthquake. [Revelation 8:4-5 GW]

Isn't it interesting to see how activities in heaven affect things on earth. It reminds me that God is always working. I think that the noisy thunder and earthquakes indicates that sometimes God's workings are more obvious than other times. Sometimes visible and other times invisible.

Also noteworthy is the effect that our prayers have on these things. As I said in my previous post, our prayers are factored into God's decisions. It is why prayer is it is important to involve God and invite him to act. In some sense, generally speaking, God only acts if he is asked to intervene.

Help us Lord to believe that our prayers matter.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

more than incense

Another angel came and stood before the altar. He was holding a golden censer, and he was given a large quantity of incense so that he could offer it, along with the prayers of all God’s holy people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. [Revelation 8:3 NTE]

The symbolism is rich in this verse. In ancient times the Jews offered fragrant incense twice daily in the tabernacle. In the psalms David likened his prayers to incense rising to God. There is something about prayer that is like incense rising and filling a room with a sweet fragrance.

In Exodus incense is likened to perfume. I love that imagery. In prayer we create a beautiful scent that sweetens a noxious situation. As our prayers arise they create a divine atmosphere of hope. Despair is turned inside out and vision is imparted. Prayer can change the bouquet of life's trials.

Yet this verse indicates that prayer is much more than incense. More than just a sweet heavenly aroma. Prayers appear before the throne - the place of divine rule. It encourages me that our prayers are factored into God's decisions. It motivates me offer prayers of intercession.

Let our prayers be a fragrant incense to you Lord. Help us to know how to intercede.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the praise filled heart

Responding out of a heart filled with praise, they congregate before the throne of God and constantly worship Him day and night in His temple. The One seated on the throne will always live among them. ... He will lead them to the water of life. [Revelation 7:15,17 VOICE]

I love this beautiful image of heaven. It speaks to me of eternal life and a heart that knows God. Such a heart senses the presence of God. The praise filled heart is watered by life giving springs.

Jesus said that believers will have this experience. Springs of life will flow from the deepest parts of their heart. In reality, the giving of praise opens our heart to God's refreshing springs.

I can so relate. I know that praise can break the chains that bind me. When life is heavy I want to respond with praise. Join with me. With heaven. And sing a song of praise to our God.

You are worthy Lord. You are worthy. I praise You. I praise You. Be glorified in me.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

welcome to heaven

These are coming from the time of great suffering and affliction. ... They will never be hungry or thirsty again. ... God will dry every tear from their eyes. [Revelation 7:14,16,17 VOICE]

Multitudes surround the throne of God. Those who have been suffering are now worshipping. Their tears are being dried. This is the destiny of all who persevere in faith. Welcome to heaven.

I persevere because of heaven. I continue to hope for that day when times of suffering and affliction are no more. Heaven is one of the most real things in my life. I live for that beautiful day.

Yet while I wait, I get glimpses of what that day will be like. I see people comforting people in pain. Tears being dried. Hunger and thirst being subdued. Heaven comes to earth as we love.

Help each of Lord to bring a bit of heaven to earth today.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

heavenly diversity

Then in my vision I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, the living creatures and the elders. There were myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, crying in a great voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing!” [Revelation 5:11-12 PHILLIPS]

I think heaven will surprise us in many ways. People will be there who we assumed would not be. Humans who were spiritually transformed but rejected because they did not fit into our religious boxes. Throughout history these people have surprised us by the way that they have loved.

Peter came to understand this. In Acts God revealed to him how his vision of the Body of Christ had to be expanded. He was led to a Roman named Cornelius. Here he first witness the Holy Spirit being poured out on people who were not Jewish. It changed his perspective on the elect.

I too have know people like Cornelius. Folks who greatly loved but believed differently than me. Their presence confronted me with the idea that my understanding of heaven was much too narrow. In reality the issue is not one of doctrine but of spiritual birth and transformation. As it should be.

Open my eyes Lord, that I may see those who have been born from above and headed for heaven.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the heavenly heart

You have made them a kingdom; You have appointed them priests to serve our God, and they will rule upon the earth. [Revelation 5:10 VOICE]

Do you regularly pray that part of the Lord's prayer that asks for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven? I try to pray it every day asking for a heavenly reality where war, hate, pain and sickness are no more. I think that the verse above clues us in a bit to how this kingdom works.

As I pray, I am often focused on the miraculous and ignore the normal way that the heavenly kingdom works. I forget that the kingdom works through priests like you and me. That love rules on earth when our hearts drive our actions. In reality the heavenly kingdom comes at a heart level.

I want to live from a heavenly heart. One that, as Jesus put it, is born from above. One that is fed with heavenly thoughts. Strengthened by heavenly exercise and discipline. I desire to have a heart that causes heaven to come to earth. One that causes me to love like Jesus.

Lord, please teach me new ways to feed and exercise my heart that it may grow strong.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the prism of the cross

You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it; for you were slain, and your blood has bought people from every nation as gifts for God. [Revelation 5:9 TLB]

There are several theories about the cross. Some espouse the idea that the Father required the blood of his son to forgive human sin. These believe, as people in ancient civilizations did, that blood had to be shed for God to forgive. Understandable for people in those cultures.

Another theory sees the cross as a ransom paid to free those held captive by sin. Yet another view opines that the cross shows us the depravity of man. I see a bit of each. In a way, the cross is a prism refracting its image as both human depravity and divine glory.

The cross stands in evidence that humans can be cruel and sadistic. And unable to save themselves. It also rises as a symbol of a patient, kind, forgiving and loving God. From the cross Jesus showed us how to live, forgive and suffer. The cross is a beautiful prism of God's mercy.

Help me to hug the cross today Lord. Lead me in ways of patience, kindness, forgiveness and love.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

slaughtered but standing tall

There was no one—no one in Heaven, no one on earth, no one from the underworld—able to break open the scroll and read it. ... So I looked, and there, surrounded by Throne, Animals, and Elders, was a Lamb, slaughtered but standing tall. ... He came to the One Seated on the Throne and took the scroll from his right hand. [Revelation 5:3,5,7 MSG]

The sense of awe, amazement and wonder in this chapter is exhilarating. John weeps deeply when there is no one found worthy to receive the scroll, the title and deed to the universe, from God. In majestic fashion the risen Christ emerges. He walks to the throne and receives the scroll.

The image painted in this chapter is the ultimate underdog story. One who was slaughtered now stands tall. One who died now owns and rules the universes. He is worshipped by myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. The story is like none ever painted or imagined by humankind.

Yet. In between the lines. There is another message in the text. The story is our story. The Lamb standing tall is in us. We who overcome bear the image of the slaughtered Lamb. The angels rejoice when we overcome. There is a homecoming. Heaven awaits our arrival. Alleluia!

Lord, I long for that day when I will meet you face to face. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

worthy of more than our awe

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” [Revelation 4:24 VOICE]

In heaven there is a palpable sense of awe. When I consider the universe I am speechless. I echo our elders in heaven in their praise of God. He is worthy to receive any glory that I have amassed for myself. Worthy to be honored for all he has done. And worthy of our submission to him.

I touched on that last theme in my last post. In reality, the extent of our worship is dependent on whether we think the divine will to be greater than ours. Worship is all about the choices we make and the actions we take. One simply cannot put God on the throne on Sunday and replace him on Monday.

It is normal to look around and be in awe. Also normal to ascribe our origins to some sort of mystical prime mover or force. Many, like the Deists, call such an entity "god". Yet there are some, like me, who see God as one worthy of more than my awe. He is worthy of my submission to his will.

I bow again Lord. You are worthy to be obeyed. Help me to bow.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

the heart of worship

There in heaven was a throne ... In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, on which were seated twenty-four elders dressed in white and wearing crowns of gold. ... the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They throw their crowns down in front of the throne [Revelation 4:2,4,10 GNT]

John's vision comes in stages. Perhaps there were several visions? The stage has moved from earth to heaven. He has left Laodicea and now finds himself in the throneroom of God. Yet the linkage to Laodicea is clear as the Lord promised thrones to overcomers in that city.

Still. The concept of thrones is a bit confusing though. I understand that God sits on a throne. But what about the other 24 thrones? Why are they significant? I think that they may indicate that heaven is not limited to either the 12 tribes of Israel and/or followers of the 12 disciples.

Interesting how the 24 elders pay homage to God. They worship with singing. They submit themselves by bowing and giving up their crowns. Perhaps the imagery is meant to teach us about worship. How, at the heart, worship is about offering up both our voices and our power to the Lord.

Perhaps the giving up of power, the proverbial casting of crowns, is at the very heart of worship? Maybe the prayer of submission, not my will but thine be done, is the truest form of worship? A good thing to remember when we ask for God's kingdom to come and his will to done.

Teach me to bow Lord Jesus. You are worthy.

... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation

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